Friday, March 28, 2025
Motives Matter – Galatians 6:11-16 Submitted by Kay Crumley
I enjoy watching crime shows and reading Cozy Mysteries. One of the topics often addressed is not only crime but also motive. The suspect may have the opportunity to commit the crime, but do they have motive. Motive isn’t always obvious. The detective may spend some time determining the motive, the why of the crime. In the final chapter of Galatians, Paul is concluding evidence of the crime being committed in the churches of Galatia by sharing the motive behind the crime. The crime was teaching false doctrine and causing the new believers to question what is necessary to truly be a Christian. Or, as Pastor Jim described them, Little Christs. Being so much like Him that people mocked them for the likeness portrayed by their words and actions.
Verse 11 almost seemed ‘extra’ or out of place to me when I first read this passage. Why was Paul making a point to emphasis that he was writing this himself in very large letters? As in all scripture there is purpose, since scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching…, 2 Timothy 3:16. The commentators suggest that most of the time Paul used a scribe to write for him as he dictated the letters. However, occasionally he wrote in his own hand, and in the case, with large letters to emphasis his point. I first thought of the similarity in our culture of sending a text in all capital letters. He is getting their attention, screaming at them to pay attention. That’s my opinion.
11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. 15 For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation. 16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God.
Those who want to impress other men/people are teaching their beliefs and compelling or forcing these believers to follow false teaching. Then we see the motive behind the crime. They want to avoid persecution, being criticized or being mocked by other Jewish brothers for agreeing that becoming a believer is by faith alone, not by following the Jewish laws and rituals. They are looking out for their own comfort rather than adhering to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If they successfully lead these believers to following Jewish doctrine they will be admired and congratulated by those who would otherwise persecute them.
Paul states his motive for fighting against this false teaching. Paul’s only message is Jesus Christ. He stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2 I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. There is no other message but that we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ. That is the one and only gospel preached by Paul because it is the only truth. We who have accepted this truth and followed Jesus are new creatures in Him, we are a new race, a holy nation, and a royal priesthood. We are all that only by what Jesus did on the cross for us to become children of God, adopted into His family through faith by His grace for us. Our relationship with Him is what’s important. Those who live by that standard will know, experience His peace and mercy. We are to live in a way that brings attention to Him by being like Him is our thoughts, actions, and deeds.
Our motive matters just as Paul’s did. Are we focusing our mind’s attention and heart’s affection on Him? Do we apply the precepts of the Word to our daily lives? Our motive is to bring Him glory and honor in all we say and do. Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
