We come now to the end of the epistle and Paul is taking his final shots at the Judaizers. Let’s look at some of the things he has had to say about them throughout the letter.
In chapter 2 he condemns them as false brothers (2:4-5).
He points out that their teaching nullifies the gospel (2:21).
In chapter 4 he points out that they are dishonest and their motives are nefarious (4:17).
In chapter 5 he says that they are severed from Christ (5:4).
Later in that chapter he wishes they would emasculate themselves (5:12).
Now he is going to take a couple more shots at them. Then, he will point us toward the only thing worth boasting about in this world.
The cross was so offensive (and is still offensive to this day) that the Judaizers had devised a neat way to obtain righteousness and salvation without it--by keeping the Law. But if we could get to heaven through the Law then why did Christ die? Even in our day nothing offends the sensibilities of “good” religious people more than penal substitutionary atonement. Yet without it there would be no salvation. And if the cross is our salvation, then how could we ever deny it? That is what these Judaizers have done, and they have done so, says Paul, to avoid persecution.
Paul has embraced the cross and so should we, for it is our only boast, our only hope. Below you will find the link to the audio from the last of our verse by verse studies in Galatians. I hope you will take the time to listen to it. God bless you.
Click here: Galatians 6:13-18 - Final Words
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