John Calvin 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)

As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh. Such men pay no regard to edification but are guided by an ambitious desire to hunt after popular applause. The Greek verb εὐπροσωπὢσαι is highly expressive and denotes the kind looks and address that were assumed for the purpose of pleasing.

He charges the false apostles with ambition. As if he had said, “When those men lay circumcision upon you as a necessary burden, do you wish to know what sort of persons they are, what are the objects of their regard or pursuit? You are mistaken if you imagine that they are at all influenced by godly zeal. To gain or preserve the favor of men is the object they have in view in offering this bribe.” It was because they were Jews that they adopted this method of retaining the goodwill, or at least allaying the resentment, of their own nation. It is the usual practice of ambitious men basely to fawn on those from whose favor they hope to derive advantage, and to insinuate themselves into their good graces, that, when better men have been displaced, they may enjoy the undivided power. This wicked design he lays open to the Galatians, in order to put them on their guard.

Only lest they should suffer persecution. The pure preaching of the gospel is again designated the cross of Christ. But there is also an allusion to their favorite scheme of resolving to preach Christ without the cross.

The deadly rage by which the Jews were stirred up against Paul arose from their being unable to endure a neglect of ceremonies. To avoid persecution, those men flattered the Jews. Yet after all, if they had themselves kept the law, their conduct might have been tolerated. On the contrary, they disturbed the whole church for the sake of their personal ease and did not scruple to lay a tyrannical yoke on the consciences of men, that they might be entirely freed from bodily uneasiness. A dread of the cross led them to corrupt the true preaching of the cross.