Galatians 6:15

Context

This verse appears in the closing section (6:11-18) of the Epistle to the Galatians, which Paul sent to the churches of the region of Galatia. Paul states that he is writing this portion in large letters with his own hand (Galatians 6:11). He then criticizes those who were compelling Gentile believers to be circumcised, saying that they desire to "glory in your flesh" (6:12-13). These opponents are commonly called "Judaizers." After declaring that he glories only in the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14), Paul sums up the argument of the entire letter with this verse.

Circumcision was the rite by which Jewish males bore in their bodies the mark of belonging to the people in covenant with God. Uncircumcision refers to the state of not having been circumcised and thus designates Gentiles.

Interpretation

The Greek phrase kainē ktisis, rendered "a new creature," can be translated either as "new creature" or as "new creation." As a result, interpretations differ.

• Individual regeneration: Many evangelical commentaries and sermons understand the phrase as referring to the individual believer who has been born again by the Spirit and has become a new person. This reading takes it in the same sense as the "new creature" of 2 Corinthians 5:17 and understands it as pointing to the starting point of justification and sanctification.
• The creation of a new age: Some New Testament scholars hold that the phrase refers to the entire new world order inaugurated by the cross and resurrection of Christ. On this view, it corresponds to the words of the preceding verse, "the world is crucified unto me."
• A new community: This reading emphasizes that Jews and Gentiles, once divided by circumcision, have become one people in Christ. It is read together with Galatians 3:26-29 and the "one new man" of Ephesians 2:15.

These three readings are not mutually exclusive, and many commentators hold them together.

Debates and Issues

• Manuscript differences: Some later manuscripts include the additional words "in Christ Jesus" at the beginning of the sentence, and the King James Version follows this text: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Many scholars regard the phrase as having been carried over from the wording of Galatians 5:6 in the course of copying. The Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Hangeul), a Korean Bible translation, does not include these words.
• Relationship to the following verse: Interpreters differ over how to understand "the Israel of God" in the next verse, Galatians 6:16. Covenant theology commonly reads it as the whole church, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, while dispensationalism commonly reads it as Jewish believers or ethnic Israel. How one understands the "new creation" of verse 15 also bears on this judgment.
• Scope of application: Some cite this verse to downplay the rites and institutions of the church in general. In response, it has been pointed out that what Paul objected to was the claim that circumcision is a condition of salvation.

Related Passages

• Galatians 5:6
• 1 Corinthians 7:19
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Ephesians 2:15
• Colossians 3:10-11