Galatians 6:15
What does Galatians 6:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 6:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 6:15 means
External distinctions like circumcision or uncircumcision have no saving power and do not establish one’s standing before God. What truly matters is being a “new creature”—a person made new by God’s work through Christ and the Spirit. This newness involves a transformed heart, new desires, and a re-created identity rooted in the gospel. Paul sweeps away the false standard being pushed on the Galatians and replaces it with the reality of regeneration. The church is defined not by ritual marks but by the life of the new creation already breaking in through Jesus, pointing to the final renewal God will complete.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For having circumcision is nothing, and not having circumcision is nothing, but only a new order of existence.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision: but a new creature.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For [in Christ Jesus] neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision; but new creation.
Context
This verse draws the theological conclusion from Paul’s boast in the cross (v. 14). If the cross is everything, then outward rituals are nothing; the decisive thing is God’s recreating work. Verse 15 articulates the “rule” that verse 16 will bless. It ties back to the letter’s central argument: justification and life come by grace through faith, not by the works of the law. The closing verses will apply this to the community with a benediction and a personal note about Paul’s sufferings.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 2:28
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh:
- 1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
- Ephesians 4:24
and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
- Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
- Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.
- Revelation 21:5
And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.
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