Galatians 6:11-13
On A Personal Note
You may not have noticed it, but the book of Galatians is an
extremely personal book. In it, Paul shared his frustrations with the
churches in Galatia \\#Gal 1:6, 3:1-5\\, his testimony of God’s call
and training of him \\#Gal 1:10-2:21\\, and he even alluded to the
attacks made against himself \\#Gal 4:16\\. Of course, everything
that Paul shared was to help the people in those churches better
accept him as a God-called apostle and the message he was preaching
to them; however, since Paul had crossed the line into his personal
business, it makes sense that he might go back across that line one
more time before he finished the letter, and he did.
Three thoughts in this chapter:
I. \\#6:11-13\\ An Apostle’s Ailment
Gal 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have
written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the
flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised;
only lest they should suffer persecution for the
cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are
circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you
circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
A. \\#11\\ Notice Paul’s reference to the large letter which he
has written.
1. Most do not think that is not a reference to the length of
the epistle but to the size of the letters that Paul was
scribbling on the parchment.
a. Paul seldom wrote his own epistles.
b. He seemed to dictate them.
c. Luke seemed to be Paul’s most common scribe.
2. The reason for that, we think, was that Paul had terrible
eyesight.
a. We think Paul made reference to it in this epistle.
Galatians 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye
spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had
been possible, ye would have plucked out your own
eyes, and have given them to me.
b. So it is possible that the man who cast out demons,
raised the dead, and even give sight to the blind had
terrible sight himself.
3. Many think this was Paul’s infirmity of the flesh.
2Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above
measure through the abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the
messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be
exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak,
then am I strong.
4. If this does not still the voice of the Name-It-and-Claim-
It preachers who say if you have enough faith, you can
get God to do anything, I don’t know what will.
a. Paul, the great miracle working, Holy Ghost filled,
Scripture writing, bonafide Apostle of the Lord God
Himself, had a physical ailment, prayed three times
that it would be removed, and was denied all three
times.
b. Why would God do that Paul?
(1) The Scripture tells us.
(a) \\#2Cor 12:7\\ To keep Paul from becoming
proud.
(b) \\#2Cor 12:9\\ To let God’s grace do a work
in Paul’s life.
(2) That means that Paul needed an ailment just like
what he had to make him into what God wanted him
to be and to keep him there.
B. Folks, I make no pretense at being the smart one, but this I
know. If God gave physical ailments to apostles to shape and
make them, He can certainly do the same for us.
1. God gives ailments for different reasons.
a. A sickness can be unto death.
b. A sickness can be to rebuke or teach the one who is
sick.
c. A sickness can be for a miraculous cure..
d. A sickness can be for a miraculous endurance.
2. Paul’s infirmity seemed to be both 2 and 4.
a. He was to be taught what he needed to keep him humble.
b. He was to give God glory while he bore it.
3. As long as he lived, although he could fix the eyes of
others, he himself would be impaired—and might I add,
gladly so.
4. How did Paul react to it?
a. \\#9-10\\ Paul would GLADLY bear it and TAKE PLEASURE
in it.
b. Paul would rather bear his infirmity and have the
power of God on his life than to be free of it and
somehow miss the mark that God has set for him.
C. So Christian:
1. Don’t waste a denial (in prayer).
2. Don’t waste a hurt.
3. Don’t waste a disappointment.
4. Don’t waste a loss.
5. While it is certain that our small minds may not see what
God is doing in our life, we have the sure Word of God
that His grace is accomplishing the will and work of God.
II. \\#6:14-16\\ An Apostle’s Goal
Gal 6;14 But God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto
the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a
new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule,
peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel
of God.
A. A little late but if you are looking for an outline to this
book, it flows something like:
1. Chapters 1-2 - Personal Talk
2. Chapters 3-4 - Doctrinal Talk
3. Chapters 5-6 - Practical Talk.
B. In these verses, Paul was making reference back to the
doctrinal discussion over the problem these churches were
having.
1. The Gentiles had been deceived by Judaizes into thinking
that to be saved or to please God, they had to also keep
elements of the Jewish Law.
2. Paul emphasized that attempting to keep the Law for
salvation would be trusting the flesh for salvation; and
that turning to Jesus and Jesus alone, was trusting God
and following the Holy Spirit.
3. And let me say what Paul has been saying, "The flesh can
NOT save. We must trust Jesus!"
4. In this last words of Paul on that topic in this book,
Paul was saying that he would not sink so low as to
magnify the flesh as:
(a) the means of his salvation,
(b) the power of his preaching,
(c) or the purpose of his life.
5. Rather, he would magnify (left up, glorify) the Spirit.
C. How easy it is to glorify the flesh!
1. In our youth, we tend to glorify our strength and our
beauty.
2. As we become adults, we tend to glorify our intellect and
our skill.
3. When we get older, we tend to glorify our playthings and
our wealth.
4. And when we get old, we tend to glorify our
accomplishments and our family.
5. The truth is everything that is of the flesh is fleeting
and will be left behind.
a. I have wondered before if perhaps the reason the Lord
lets us get old is to show us that our flesh was
never very special to begin with?
b. If you live along enough, strength, beauty, intellect,
skill, possessions, wealth, and accomplishments will
all fade away.
c. And even our beloved family will either bid us
farewell one-by-one or we will be forced to say good
bye to them.
d. The only thing that lasts from earth to heaven,
untarnished and undimmed, is the relationship
we have with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy
Spirit.
III. \\#6:17\\ An Apostle’s Frustration
Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me:
for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord
Jesus.
A. As the last three verses went back to doctrine, this verse
goes back to the attacks made against Paul’s credentials.
Gal 4;16 Am I therefore become your enemy,
because I tell you the truth?
1. Paul’s apostleship was frequently doubted and with some
cause.
2. To this day, preachers take the title of "apostle" or
"apostolic" and add it their name or to the name of their
religious organization, I suppose, in an attempt to
connect themselves with the authority of the New
Testament apostles.
3. You may claim God’s title, but that doesn’t mean God has
claimed you.
B. Even the church at its earliest realized that some conditions
must be placed on the claim of apostleship.
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have
companied with us all the time that the Lord
Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that
same day that he was taken up from us, must one
be ordained to be a witness with us of his
resurrection.
1. It was that he had been with Jesus since the baptism of
Jesus by John the Baptist.
2. Obviously, Paul did not meet that requirement.
C. Although well intended, that condition was not binding on
God—and He is the only One who can call an apostle.
1. God could call anyone He wished.
2. Paul said God had called him.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
called to be an apostle, separated unto the
gospel of God,
3. Paul knew he was unique, one called out-of-time.
1Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me
also, as of one born out of due time.
4. And Paul attempted, through several of his epistles, to
prove the validity of his calling.
D. However, for these churches at least, he resolved not to
debate the issue any longer.
1. These people, like all of the people who had known him,
been won to Christ by him, or seen his miracles, should
have known he was an apostle.
2. As he told the Corinthians, they were the proof of his
apostleship \\#1Cor 9:2\\.
3. But if they were not convinced, he would not be bothered
by it any longer, not just because he knew the truth;
but because his body bore the marks of proof.
E. God may have given Paul his ailment, but men had given to him
far, far worse.
1. Paul had been scourged five times, beaten with rods three
times, stoned and left for dead, left on the ocean a day
and a night, and left to hunger.
2. What kind of an impact had that had on his body? How
many deformities? How many scars?
3. Add to that the naturally ageing process which consisted
of no healthcare, and I imagine Paul’s appearance might
have been somewhat startling.
4. But Paul understood what happened to his body was not
important.
5. What was important was the impact he could have on the
lives of others by being faithful to God.
6. What better thing can a Christian do?
When we started this book, I told you it would help fill in the gap
between the gospels and now.
When the gospels closed:
1. People still worshipped on the Sabbath.
2. The only place to worship was at the temple.
3. The Law was revered and obeyed.
4. The only ones invited to salvation were the Jews.
Because of ignorance, people are being lead back under the law. Some
are even being told that Paul was not an apostle and his teachings
need to be rejected.
This book at least begins to answer those questions and many others
besides; but the most important question may be one it raises and not
one it answers. What have you done with Jesus Christ?
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