Galatians 6:15
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For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
availeth--The oldest manuscripts read, "is" (compare Gal 5:6). Not only are they of no avail, but they are nothing. So far are they from being matter for "glorying," that they are "nothing." But Christ's cross is "all in all," as a subject for glorying, in "the new creature" (Eph 2:10, Eph 2:15-16). new creature-- (Co2 5:17). A transformation by the renewal of the mind (Rom 12:2).
Open source ↗This chapter chiefly consists of two parts. In the former the apostle gives us several plain and practical directions, which more especially tend to instruct Christians in their duty to one another, and to promote the communion of saints in love (Gal 6:1-10). In the latter he revives the main design of the epistle, which was to fortify the Galatians against the arts of their judaizing teachers, and confirm them in the truth and liberty of the gospel, for which purpose he, I. Gives them the true character of these teachers, and shows them from what motives, and with what views, they acted (Gal 6:11-14). And, II. On the other hand he acquaints them with his own temper and behaviour. From both these they might easily see how little reason they had to slight him, and to fall in with them. And then he concludes the epistle with a solemn benediction.
Open source ↗6:15 The Galatians had missed the point of the Good News, that a new creation has come in Christ by the Spirit, not by human effort (cp. 2 Cor 5:16-17).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.
A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”