Our service towards all men: (6:10)
Further Paul challenged the Galatians to take care of the family of believers. We have an opportunity and let us do good to all people. “This is how we let our light shine and glorify our Father in heaven” (Matt.5:16). It is not only by words that we witness to the lost, but also by our works. In fact, our works pave the way for our verbal witness. It is not a question of asking: “does this person deserve my good works?” Did we deserve what God did for us in Christ? Nor should we be like the defensive lawyer who tried to argue, “Who is my neighbour?” (Lk.10:25-37) Jesus made it very clear that the question is not “Who is my neighbour?” but “To whom can I be a neighbour?”
Further we must give priority to “the household of faith,” the fellowship of believers. This does not mean that you must start entirely the local church. But we need to keep a balance. Whatever we give we must do it prayerfully knowing the importance and the need. In some churches I find that they do not know how to manage. Most of the churches in India are just investing their money into the banks and doing nothing. Every believer must know where the need is and accordingly balance his giving. Since most of the churches are dead, we must prayerfully and intelligently provide the needs, may be distant evangelists, Missionaries of para-church organisations and etc.
Paul’s postscripts: (6:11):
Paul seems to have dictated his letter to a secretary up to (6:10). He would often personally write a short portion at the end, in order to authenticate the letter and add a personal touch. There are many such examples like this where he adds a postscript viz. (I Cor. 16:21-24; Col. 4:18; 2-Thess.3:17). Paul says that he wrote the postscript with large letters. Many people believe that he had a poor eye-sight, or he was treating Galatians like children or some we often write with bold and capital letters in order to emphasize the matter.
Paul’s adversaries: (6:12-13):
Paul refers to the legalistic Christians among the Galatians that even those who are circumcised cannot keep the law. The legalistic Christians pretended to be more concerned with enthusiasm to force the Galatians gentile Christians to undergo circumcision. They wanted to simply fulfil their desire and glory to make a good showing in the flesh or something like badge or trophy to show the outward holiness. They are hypocrites. Even David had boasted in the 200 foreskins of the Philistines he had killed. So these legalists wanted the allegiance of these Gentiles primarily as a trophy. Of course there is nothing wrong with a Gentile being circumcised, but it is definitely wrong compelling a Gentile to undergo circumcision, saying they could not be right with God without coming under the law of Moses.
Paul’s boasting in the Lord: (6:14-16):
Apostle Paul cares nothing for his glory or fame although he was a learned man, a Roman citizen, a great orator and etc. All that he desires is the glory of God. He says the world has been crucified to me and he in turn condemns the world. For he has no interest in the world and the world will not do anything for him. The world is full of enticement and attraction. The only way to escape from these destructing influence is to ask God every day to help crucify our interest in them.
Paul knew that every believer had live with moral standards. But what really matters is that not what we are doing but what God has done in us making a new creation. Neither circumcision or un-circumcision counts but what really counts is whether we are saved by the cross. When we are saved and accept His free gift of Salvation, we will become a new creation. It is purely by His grace and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We should beware of those who emphasise actions, following rules and customs without emphasizing the need of Salvation. What matters to God is our trust and complete change of our heart. “Therefore If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17).
In (1:8-9) Paul pronounced a curse on those who taught false doctrines now in (6:16) he is also willing to give a blessing of peace and mercy to those who walk according to this rule. These are those who are the true Israel of God, the descendants of Abraham according to faith.