Galatians 6:13

KJV

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} neither {G3761} they themselves {G846} who are circumcised {G4059} keep {G5442} the law {G3551}; but {G235} desire {G2309} to have {G4059} you {G5209} circumcised {G4059}, that {G2443} they may glory {G2744} in {G1722} your {G5212} flesh {G4561}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For even those who are getting circumcised don’t observe the Torah. On the contrary, they want you to get circumcised so that they can boast of having gained your adherence.

Berean Standard Bible

For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

American Standard Version

For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 6:13 exposes the profound hypocrisy and self-serving motivations of the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile believers undergo circumcision. Paul reveals that these false teachers, despite their zealous promotion of the Mosaic Law, did not genuinely keep it themselves. Their true desire was not for the spiritual well-being of the converts or the glory of God, but rather to boast in the outward conformity of new Gentile converts to Jewish customs, thereby enhancing their own prestige and avoiding persecution from those who opposed the gospel of grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the conclusion of Paul's impassioned letter to the Galatians, where he has vehemently defended the gospel of justification by faith alone, apart from works of the Law. The preceding verses in chapter 6 deal with practical Christian living, such as bearing one another's burdens and sowing to the Spirit, but Paul abruptly returns to the core issue of the Judaizers' false teaching in verses 12-13. [Galatians 6:12](/galatians/6-12 "Galatians 6:12 - Avoiding Persecution for the Cross") specifically states that the Judaizers compel circumcision only to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ, setting the stage for the deeper exposure of their motives in verse 13. The immediate follow-up in [Galatians 6:14](/galatians/6-14 "Galatians 6:14 - Paul's Glory in the Cross") provides a stark contrast, as Paul declares that he will only glory in the cross of Christ, not in human achievements or external rituals. This strong concluding argument serves as a final, decisive rejection of legalism and an affirmation of grace.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The letter to the Galatians was written to churches in the Roman province of Galatia (likely South Galatia, including cities like Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe), which Paul had evangelized during his first missionary journey. The central conflict arose from Jewish Christians, often called Judaizers, who arrived after Paul and taught that Gentile converts must be circumcised and adhere to aspects of the Mosaic Law to be truly saved or fully accepted into the Christian community. For Jews, circumcision was the covenant sign given to Abraham ([Genesis 17:9-14](/genesis/17-9-14 "Genesis 17:9-14 - Covenant of Circumcision")), deeply embedded in their identity and religious practice. To abandon it was seen as a rejection of God's covenant. The Judaizers' insistence on circumcision for Gentiles was a way to maintain continuity with their Jewish heritage and avoid social or religious ostracism or even persecution from zealous Jews who viewed the inclusion of uncircumcised Gentiles as an affront to the Law and the covenant.

* **Key Themes:** Galatians 6:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the epistle. It underscores the **Futility of Legalism**, demonstrating that adherence to the Law, even by its proponents, is imperfect and cannot bring righteousness. Paul consistently argues that if righteousness could come through the Law, then [Christ died in vain](/galatians/2-21 "Galatians 2:21 - Christ Died in Vain if Law Justifies"). The verse also highlights the **Danger of False Motivations** in religious practice, revealing that the Judaizers' zeal for circumcision was driven by self-glory and a desire for human approval, rather than genuine obedience to God or concern for the spiritual state of others. This contrasts sharply with the gospel's emphasis on God's glory and the transformation of the heart. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Justification by Faith Alone**, as it exposes the inadequacy of human effort and external works in achieving salvation, thereby emphasizing the singular sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross, a point Paul makes emphatically throughout [Galatians](/galatians/1 "The Book of Galatians - Justification by Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Circumcised (Greek, _peritémnō'_):** This word means "to cut around," specifically referring to the religious rite of circumcision. In this context, Paul uses it to refer to those who have undergone the physical act of circumcision and, by extension, those who identify with and promote the Mosaic Law as a means of righteousness. The Judaizers were compelling Gentile believers to undergo this physical act, which for them symbolized adherence to the entire Law of Moses.
* **Keep (Greek, _phylássō'_):** This verb means "to watch, to be on guard, to preserve, to obey, to avoid." Here, it signifies the act of observing or obeying the Law. Paul's indictment is that those who demand others "keep the law" by being circumcised do not themselves perfectly "keep" the entire Law, exposing their hypocrisy. Their selective emphasis on circumcision, while neglecting other commands, reveals their inconsistent application of the Law they claim to uphold.
* **Glory (Greek, _kaucháomai'_):** This term means "to boast, to vaunt, to exult." It can be used in both a positive sense (boasting in God) or a negative sense (boasting in oneself or human achievements). Here, it is used negatively. The Judaizers desired to "glory in your flesh," meaning they wanted to boast about the number of Gentile converts who adopted their external Jewish customs, particularly circumcision. This boasting was rooted in self-promotion and a desire for social prestige within their community, rather than true spiritual fruit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law;"**: Paul begins by exposing the fundamental hypocrisy of the Judaizers. The conjunction "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason or explanation for his previous statements. He asserts that these very individuals who are circumcised and advocate for the Law do not, in fact, "keep" or obey the Law themselves. This is a powerful rhetorical move, as it undermines their authority and exposes the inconsistency of their teaching. The Law, by its very nature, demands perfect obedience, and failure in one point is failure in all ([James 2:10](/james/2-10 "James 2:10 - Breaking One Commandment")). Paul's point is not that they are utterly lawless, but that their selective adherence and inability to perfectly fulfill the Law disqualifies them from imposing it on others as a means of salvation.
* **"but desire to have you circumcised,"**: This clause reveals the specific action the Judaizers are pressing upon the Galatian believers. The conjunction "but" (G235, _allá_) introduces a strong contrast. Despite their own inability to keep the Law, their "desire" (G2309, _thélō_) is to compel the Gentiles to be circumcised. This compulsion is not born out of genuine theological conviction for the Gentiles' salvation, but rather for their own ulterior motives, which are immediately explained in the next clause.
* **"that they may glory in your flesh."**: This final clause unmasks the true, self-centered motivation behind the Judaizers' insistence on circumcision. The phrase "that they may glory" (G2443, _hína_ + G2744, _kaucháomai_) clearly indicates their purpose. They want to "boast" or "exult" in the "flesh" (G4561, _sárx_) of the Galatian converts. "Flesh" here signifies not merely the physical act of circumcision, but more broadly, human effort, external religious performance, and outward conformity to human-made rules, as opposed to genuine spiritual transformation. By compelling Gentiles to be circumcised, the Judaizers could count them as "converts" to their legalistic system, thereby increasing their own prestige, influence, and boasting rights within their community, and avoiding the social and religious pressure associated with a purely grace-based gospel.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices to expose the Judaizers. The most prominent is **Irony**: the very people who demand strict adherence to the Law for others do not perfectly keep it themselves. This highlights the inherent contradiction and hypocrisy of legalism. Paul also uses **Contrast** effectively, setting the Judaizers' self-glorifying motives against the true gospel's focus on the cross of Christ ([Galatians 6:14](/galatians/6-14 "Galatians 6:14 - Paul's Glory in the Cross")). Furthermore, the term "flesh" functions as **Synecdoche**, where a part (the physical act of circumcision) stands for the whole (the entire system of human effort, external rituals, and self-righteousness). This allows Paul to concisely encapsulate the entire legalistic system and its motivations in a single, potent phrase.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 6:13 is a crucial theological statement, stripping away the veneer of piety from legalism and revealing its true nature: a system rooted in human pride and self-glory rather than divine grace. It underscores the profound truth that human effort, even in religious guise, can never achieve true righteousness or salvation. The Judaizers' desire to "glory in your flesh" stands in stark opposition to the gospel, which demands that all glory belongs to God alone through Christ's finished work. This verse serves as a timeless warning against any teaching that adds human works or rituals as a prerequisite for salvation or spiritual standing, fundamentally undermining the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and distorting the nature of true faith. It compels believers to examine their own motivations, ensuring that their service and devotion are for God's glory, not their own.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - No One Justified by Law")
* [Philippians 3:3](/philippians/3-3 "Philippians 3:3 - True Circumcision")
* [Colossians 2:20-23](/colossians/2-20-23 "Colossians 2:20-23 - Futility of Human Regulations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 6:13 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination in our Christian walk. It challenges us to scrutinize our own motivations and the teachings we embrace. Are we, like the Judaizers, subtly seeking to "glory in the flesh"—in our own accomplishments, our outward religious displays, our adherence to certain rules, or our ability to conform others to our preferences? Or is our deepest desire to glory in the cross of Christ alone, recognizing that all our standing before God comes solely through His grace? This verse reminds us that genuine faith is not about external conformity or human boasting, but about an inward transformation wrought by the Spirit, leading to humble reliance on Christ. It calls us to discern carefully between true gospel freedom and any form of legalism that adds burdens to believers, whether explicit or implicit. Our focus should always be on Christ's completed work, not on our own efforts or the perceived achievements of our ministry.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might I be tempted to "glory in the flesh" rather than in Christ alone?**
* **How can I ensure that my motivations for serving God and others are pure, focused on His glory rather than my own recognition or approval?**
* **What external religious practices or traditions might I inadvertently elevate to the level of gospel requirements, similar to the Judaizers' emphasis on circumcision?**

### FAQ

**What does Paul mean by "glory in your flesh"?**

Answer: When Paul says the Judaizers "desire... that they may glory in your flesh," he means they want to boast or take pride in the outward, physical act of Gentile converts getting circumcised. "Flesh" here represents not just the physical body, but more broadly, human effort, external religious performance, and adherence to human-made rules or traditions. The Judaizers wanted to show off the number of Gentiles they had persuaded to adopt Jewish customs, thereby enhancing their own prestige and demonstrating their influence within their community, rather than genuinely seeking the spiritual transformation of the converts through faith in Christ. This was a self-serving motivation, contrasting sharply with Paul's desire to glory only in the cross of Christ, as he states in [Galatians 6:14](/galatians/6-14 "Galatians 6:14 - Paul's Glory in the Cross").

**Why did the Judaizers insist on circumcision if they didn't keep the whole Law themselves?**

Answer: Paul exposes their hypocrisy. While they promoted circumcision as a core requirement, they didn't perfectly keep the entire Mosaic Law themselves, which is an impossible task for any human ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - No One Justified by Law")). Their primary motivations for insisting on circumcision were twofold, as indicated by Paul in [Galatians 6:12](/galatians/6-12 "Galatians 6:12 - Avoiding Persecution") and [Galatians 6:13](/galatians/6-13 "Galatians 6:13 - Judaizers' Hypocrisy"): first, to avoid persecution from zealous Jews who opposed the gospel of grace and viewed the inclusion of uncircumcised Gentiles as an affront to the Law; and second, to "glory in your flesh," meaning to boast about their success in bringing Gentile converts into conformity with Jewish customs, thereby gaining personal prestige and validation. Their emphasis was on outward appearance and human approval, not on true obedience or spiritual transformation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 6:13, by exposing the futility and self-serving nature of legalism, powerfully underscores the necessity and sufficiency of Christ's work for salvation. The Judaizers' desire to "glory in your flesh"—in human effort and external ritual—stands in stark contrast to the gospel's declaration that true glory belongs to God alone through the cross of Jesus Christ. The Law, which the Judaizers selectively upheld, was given to reveal sin and point to humanity's desperate need for a Savior ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")). Christ, as the perfect Law-keeper, fulfilled its righteous demands on our behalf ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")) and bore its curse through His death on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Therefore, any attempt to add circumcision or any other human work as a requirement for salvation fundamentally diminishes the complete and perfect sacrifice of Christ. True "circumcision" is now of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter of the Law ([Romans 2:29](/romans/2-29 "Romans 2:29 - True Circumcision of the Heart")), and it is in Christ that believers are truly circumcised with a circumcision made without hands ([Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11 - Circumcision of Christ")). Thus, Galatians 6:13 ultimately serves to magnify Christ as the sole source of righteousness, the end of the Law for all who believe ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ the End of the Law")), and the one in whom all true boasting must reside.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your glorying [is] not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Romans 2:17

¶ Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Romans 2:25

For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

2 Peter 2:19

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Matthew 23:15

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

2 Corinthians 11:18

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.