Devine Scripture

Galatians 6:13

What does Galatians 6:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Galatians 6:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Galatians 6:13 means

Paul adds that even those promoting circumcision do not keep the law themselves. Their push is selective and self-serving. What they really want is to count the Galatians’ circumcision as a trophy—“to glory in your flesh.” This reveals a religion of numbers and appearances rather than heartfelt obedience to God. By highlighting this inconsistency, Paul shows that the issue is not zeal for holiness but the desire to boast. The gospel, by contrast, leaves no room for pride in human achievements; it centers all confidence in what God has done through Christ, not in marks made by human hands.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because even those who undergo circumcision do not themselves keep the law; but they would have you undergo circumcision, so that they may have glory in your flesh.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for neither do those circumcised themselves keep the law, but they wish you to be circumcised, that in your flesh they may glory.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For neither do they that are circumcised themselves keep the law; but they wish you to be circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

Context

Continuing the exposure of false teachers begun in verse 12, this verse underscores their hypocrisy and hunger for human applause. The argument prepares for Paul’s decisive alternative in verse 14: glory only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then verses 15–16 will state the true rule that defines God’s people and the blessing that rests on those who walk by it. The contrast sharpens the Galatians’ choice between external badges and the cross-shaped life.

v.12As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

v.13This passage

v.14But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Philippians 3:3

    for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

  • Romans 3:9

    What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we before laid to the charge both of Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin;

  • Matthew 23:23

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.

  • Matthew 23:3

    all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.

  • Matthew 23:15

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:18

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

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