BibleWord.ai› Bible› Galatians› Chapter 6› Verse 13

Galatians 6:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 6:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Galatians 6:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
11See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.
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.
13For 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.
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.
15For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace [be] upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
← Galatians 6:12Galatians 6:14 →
← Full Chapter 6 Galatians Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But neither they themselves that are circumcised, etc..] That is, the pleaders for, and preachers of circumcision, whether they themselves were actually circumcised, or not; it means those that were of the circumcision, on that side of the question, whether heartily or not: keep the law; of circumcision, as persons may preach up that, which they themselves do not practise; as did the Pharisees, the predecessors of these men; or if they did keep the law, and submit to it, yet this might be done, not out of regard unto it, and zeal for it, but for some other end; as Simon Magus submitted to baptism, and others preached Christ of envy and contention, and not of good will; or if they did do it…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Translate, "For not even do they who submit to circumcision, keep the law themselves (Rom 2:17-23), but they wish you (emphatical) to be circumcised," &c. They arbitrarily selected circumcision out of the whole law, as though observing it would stand instead of their non-observance of the rest of the law. that they may glory in your flesh--namely, in the outward change (opposed to an inward change wrought by the SPIRIT) which they have effected in bringing you over to their own Jewish-Christian party.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For neither they themselves who are circumcised - The Jewish teachers, or perhaps all Jews. It was true in general that the Jews did not wholly and entirely obey the Law of Moses, but it is probable that the apostle refers particularly here to the judaizing teachers in Galatia. Keep the law - The Law of Moses, or the Law of God. Paul’s idea is, that if they were circumcised they brought themselves under obligation to keep the whole law of God; see the note at Galatians 5:3. But they did not do it. (1) No person perfectly observes the whole law of God. (2) The Jewish nation as such were very far from doing it. (3) It is probable that these persons did not pretend even to keep the whole Law of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For neither they themselves keep the whole law - So far are they from a real zeal for it. But yet they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh - That they may boast of you as their proselytes, and make a merit of this with the other Jews. Galatians 6:14”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“keep: Mat 23:3, Mat 23:15, Mat 23:23; Rom 2:17-24, Rom 3:9-19; Pe2 2:19 that they may: Co1 3:21, Co1 5:6; Co2 11:18 Galatians 6:14”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Galatians 6 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification