Galatians 6:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Complete Jewish Bible:

And as many as order their lives by this rule, shalom upon them and mercy, and upon the Isra’el of God!

Berean Standard Bible:

Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.

American Standard Version:

And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} as many as^{G3745} walk^{G4748} according to^{G2583} this^{G5129} rule^{G2583}, peace^{G1515} be on^{G1909} them^{G846}, and^{G2532} mercy^{G1656}, and^{G2532} upon^{G1909} the Israel^{G2474} of God^{G2316}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Galatians 6:16

Galatians 6:16 is the concluding verse of the Apostle Paul's letter to the churches in the region of Galatia, which is part of modern-day Turkey. In this verse, Paul is summarizing a key theme of his letter: the proper understanding of the gospel and the freedom it brings from adherence to the Mosaic Law as a means of justification. The "rule" Paul refers to is likely the principle of living by the Spirit and not by the flesh, as well as the freedom from the law that he has been expounding throughout the letter.

The historical context of this verse is crucial. The early church was grappling with the question of whether Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish law, including circumcision, to be part of God's covenant people. Paul argues vehemently against this, asserting that one is justified by faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law.

In speaking of "peace" and "mercy" upon those who walk according to this rule, Paul is invoking a blessing of divine favor and well-being. This is a pastoral encouragement for the Galatian believers to continue in the grace of Christ and to experience the peace and mercy that come from a right relationship with God through faith.

The phrase "and upon the Israel of God" has been the subject of much theological discussion. It could be interpreted as a reference to ethnic Israel, recognizing that God's covenant promises to the Jewish people remain. However, in the context of Paul's writings, it is more likely that he is using "Israel of God" to include both Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, who together form the true people of God in the new covenant era. This interpretation aligns with Paul's broader theology that in Christ, there is no Jew nor Greek, but all are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

In summary, Galatians 6:16 encapsulates the essence of Paul's message to the Galatians: a call to live by the Spirit and the principle of faith, not by the works of the law. It extends a blessing of peace and mercy to those who follow this rule and affirms the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of ethnic background, as the true Israel of God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3745
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅσος
   Transliteration: hósos
   Pronunciation: hos'-os
   Description: by reduplication from ὅς; as (much, great, long, etc.) as:--all (that), as (long, many, much) (as), how great (many, much), (in-)asmuch as, so many as, that (ever), the more, those things, what (great, -soever), wheresoever, wherewithsoever, which, X while, who(-soever).
   
3. Strong's Number: G4748
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: στοιχέω
   Transliteration: stoichéō
   Pronunciation: stoy-kheh'-o
   Description: from a derivative of (to range in regular line); to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e. (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety:--walk (orderly).
   
4. Strong's Number: G2583
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κανών
   Transliteration: kanṓn
   Pronunciation: kan-ohn'
   Description: from (a straight reed, i.e. rod); a rule ("canon"), i.e. (figuratively) a standard (of faith and practice); by implication, a boundary, i.e. (figuratively) a sphere (of activity):--line, rule.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5129
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τούτῳ
   Transliteration: toútōi
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: dative case singular masculine or neuter of οὗτος; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):--here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1515
   There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰρήνη
   Transliteration: eirḗnē
   Pronunciation: i-ray'-nay
   Description: probably from a primary verb (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
8. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1656
   There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔλεος
   Transliteration: éleos
   Pronunciation: el'-eh-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; compassion (human or divine, especially active):--(+ tender) mercy.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2474
    There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰσραήλ
    Transliteration: Israḗl
    Pronunciation: is-rah-ale'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יִשְׂרָאֵל); Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively):--Israel.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).