Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Galatians 6:12

"As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ." — Galatians 6:12 (ASV)

For the last time Paul speaks of the legalizers, this time warning the Galatians about what they were attempting to do and why they were doing it. The object of their legalism is “to make a good impression outwardly.” The Greek for this phrase is richer than any single English translation can make it. For one thing, the verb translated “to make a good impression” carries overtones of insincerity; they were not what they seemed. The word “outwardly” is literally, “in flesh” (sarx); it refers to people whom the legalizers wanted to impress, and to circumcision, which had become the touchstone of their religion. In contrast to this, Christianity consists in those who, as a result of his grace, have become new creatures (vv.14–15) desiring to please God.

But why did the legalizers persevere so strongly in their error if, indeed, as Paul claims, it is an error? There are two reasons. First, they desired to escape the persecution that is attached to Christ’s cross. The cross on which the Son of God died presents three disquieting and humiliating doctrines: (1) human beings are sinners; (2) their sin brings them under the curse of God, which Christ bore; and (3) nothing they can do can earn salvation, for if this were possible, the cross would have been unnecessary. These doctrines humble people. Consequently, they hate the cross and actively persecute those who proclaim it.