And as many by this rule step, peace upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).
The Christians in Galatia encountered significant challenges from individuals who claimed to represent the assembly in Jerusalem and insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation. In reality, these individuals promoted circumcision to gain outward approval among the Galatian believers and to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:12). However, even those advocating circumcision did not fully observe the law themselves. Their motivation was to boast about the number of people they had persuaded to be circumcised (Galatians 6:13).
We must never boast in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14). Unfortunately, this issue persists in contemporary times, as many Christians remain unaware of its implications. Modern assemblies often repeat the actions of those who infiltrated the Galatian churches by seeking to place believers under the law. While circumcision is no longer the central issue, the focus has shifted to interpretations of the Sermon on the Mount that impose a works-based standard of righteousness.
Paul addresses the issue of righteousness through works at the beginning of the letter, where he asks the saints, “Having begun by the Spirit, are we brought to maturity through the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3).
A proper understanding of salvation reveals that our only basis for boasting is the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14), which necessarily includes His resurrection. Christ died on behalf of our sins according to the Scriptures. On the cross, He died both spiritually and physically, redeeming us from the sin nature (Romans 6:10). Yet, without the resurrection, our faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:12). Christ not only died for our sins but was also raised on the third day, fulfilling the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). He was delivered over because of our trespasses, and raised because of our justification (Romans 4:25). Therefore, our boast is not in what we do, but in who we are in Christ (Galatians 6:14).
Through our union with the cross of Christ, we have been crucified to the world system. We are co-buried with Christ and, as a result, co-raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4–5). Therefore, the principles of this world—such as ‘do not taste, do not touch, do not handle’ (Colossians 2:21)—do not define righteous living. These regulations originate from human teachings rather than from Christ (Colossians 2:22). Although they may appear wise through self-imposed religion, humility, and bodily discipline, they ultimately lack any real value in restraining fleshly indulgence (Colossians 2:23).
In Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any intrinsic strength. It is the new creation by which we possess the strength to live godly (Galatians 6:15). When God raised Christ from the dead, He made a new creation, which is the Christ. God created a new man in which Christ is the head and the Church is His body (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:22–23). All those who are Christians are immersed into this new man, and thus the righteousness of Christ is reckoned to them (1 Corinthians 1:30; 12:12–13).
Those who step by this rule have peace and mercy (Galatians 6:16). Israel is not the Church, and the Church does not take the place of Israel. This separation is important for the Christian. If the Church took Israel’s place, then circumcision would have strength. However, in the new creation, which is the Christ, fleshly works have no intrinsic strength. Thus, those who recognize and conduct their lives in this manner—the Church is not Israel, and Israel is not the Church—are not hostile towards God’s plan. And thus, will not boast in their flesh as those who adhere to circumcision for the purpose of seeking their own righteousness (Romans 10:3).
