1
Ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν καὶ προλημφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώματι, ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοὶ καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον ἐν πνεύματι πραΰτητος, σκοπῶν σεαυτόν, μὴ καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς.
Brothers, even if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, watching yourself, lest you too be tempted.
The vocative Ἀδελφοί opens the closing paraenesis, applying 'walk by the Spirit' (5:25) to the offender: not condemnation but gentle restoration, with a sober eye to one's own frailty.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἈδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate familial address recurs through Galatians, softening the rebukes (cf. 1:11; 4:12).
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (+ subj., 3rd-class)
καὶevenascensive/concessive adverbκαί here is concessive with ἐάν — 'even if,' granting the case as a real possibility.
προλημφθῇis caught/overtakenAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · προλαμβάνωverb of 3rd-class conditional protasis→ ingressive aorist (a being-overtaken)προλαμβάνω: 'take beforehand, surprise, overtake'; the προ- suggests the sin caught the person off guard — a stumble, not premeditation.
ἄνθρωποςa personNominativesubject of προλημφθῇἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; indefinite here — 'anyone,' a fellow member of the body.
ἔνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τινιsomeDativeindefinite adjective
παραπτώματιtrespassDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of the fall)παράπτωμα: 'false step, trespass' (παρά + πίπτω, 'fall beside'); a lapse pictured as a slip from the path.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
πνευματικοὶspiritual onesNominativeapposition to ὑμεῖς (substantival adj.)πνευματικός: 'spiritual,' belonging to/led by the Spirit; perhaps gently ironic toward any who claim the title, recalling 5:25.
καταρτίζετεrestorePres Act Impv 2 Pl · καταρτίζωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (ongoing duty)καταρτίζω: 'mend, put in order, set right' — used of setting a broken bone or mending nets (Mark 1:19); the goal is repair, not punishment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τοιοῦτονsuch a oneAccusativedirect object (demonstrative adj.)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of such a kind'; points back to the overtaken person without singling out.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
πνεύματιa spiritDativedat. of mannerπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; 'in a spirit of gentleness' = with a gentle disposition, the Spirit's own fruit (5:23).
πραΰτητοςof gentlenessGenitiveattributive (genitive of quality)πραΰτης: 'gentleness, meekness'; strength under control — listed among the Spirit's fruit just above (5:23).
σκοπῶνwatching/looking toPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · σκοπέωadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance)→ present (concurrent)σκοπέω: 'look at, keep one's eye on' (cf. 'scope'); the shift to the singular individualizes the warning — each restorer must watch himself.
σεαυτόνyourselfAccusativedirect object (reflexive)
μὴlestnegative + subj. (clause of apprehension)μή with the subjunctive marks fear/precaution — 'lest, in case.'
καὶalso/tooascensive adverb
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic)
πειρασθῇςbe temptedAor Pass Subj 2 Sg · πειράζωverb of clause of apprehension→ ingressive aoristπειράζω: 'test, tempt'; the restorer is not immune — sin is contagious to the proud.
2
Ἀλλήλων τὰ βάρη βαστάζετε, καὶ οὕτως ἀναπληρώσετε τὸν νόμον τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Bear one another's burdens, and thus you will fulfill the law of Christ.
The governing imperative of the section: shared burden-bearing. The fronted Ἀλλήλων stresses mutuality, and 'so you will fulfill the law of Christ' interprets love (5:14) as Christ's own pattern of self-giving.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
Ἀλλήλωνof one anotherGenitivepossessive genitive (fronted, emphatic)ἀλλήλων: 'one another' (reciprocal pronoun); its fronted position throws the weight on mutual, reciprocal care.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
βάρηburdensAccusativedirect objectβάρος: 'weight, burden'; here a crushing, oppressive load — contrast the φορτίον ('pack') each carries in v.5.
βαστάζετεbearPres Act Impv 2 Pl · βαστάζωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (habitual practice)βαστάζω: 'carry, take up, bear'; the same verb used of carrying the cross (John 19:17) and reappearing at v.17 of Paul's marks.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (result)
οὕτωςthus/in this wayadverb (manner pointing back)οὕτως: 'so, in this manner'; identifies burden-bearing as the very means of fulfilling Christ's law.
ἀναπληρώσετεyou will fulfillFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀναπληρόωmain verb (future of result)→ predictive future (logical consequence)ἀναπληρόω: 'fill up, fulfill completely' (ἀνά-intensive of πληρόω); the future expresses the sure outcome of obeying the command.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
νόμονlawAccusativedirect objectνόμος: 'law'; here 'the law of Christ' = the principle of self-giving love (5:14), not the Mosaic code the agitators urge.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of source/possessionΧριστός: 'Christ'; the genitive may be possessive ('Christ's law') or of origin ('the law Christ embodies and gives').
3
εἰ γὰρ δοκεῖ τις εἶναί τι μηδὲν ὤν, φρεναπατᾷ ἑαυτόν·
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Grounds the command to bear burdens by exposing its enemy — self-importance. The proud man, who feels above another's load, deceives only himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
εἰifconditional conjunction (1st-class, assumed real)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
δοκεῖthinks/seemsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δοκέωverb of protasis→ customary presentδοκέω: 'suppose, think, seem'; here of self-estimation — imagining oneself to be of consequence.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)
εἶναίto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect discourse (after δοκεῖ)→ stative present
τιsomethingNominativepredicate of εἶναι (indefinite)τις/τι 'someone/something' used absolutely = 'a person of importance' (cf. Acts 5:36).
μηδὲνnothingNominativepredicate of ὤν (negated)μηδείς: 'no one, nothing'; the μη- form fits the participle's quasi-conditional sense — 'though he is nothing.'
ὤνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰμίadverbial ptc. (concessive)→ stative present
φρεναπατᾷhe deceivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φρεναπατάωmain verb (apodosis)→ customary presentφρεναπατάω: 'deceive the mind' (φρήν 'mind' + ἀπατάω 'deceive'); a NT hapax — the proud man's only dupe is himself.
ἑαυτόνhimselfAccusativedirect object (reflexive)
4
τὸ δὲ ἔργον ἑαυτοῦ δοκιμαζέτω ἕκαστος, καὶ τότε εἰς ἑαυτὸν μόνον τὸ καύχημα ἕξει καὶ οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἕτερον·
But let each one test his own work, and then he will have his boast in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to the other;
The cure for self-deceiving comparison: each tests his own work rather than measuring himself against a neighbor. Whatever 'boast' remains is private, before God, not won at another's expense.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
τὸtheAccusativearticle
δὲbutadversative/developmental conjunction
ἔργονworkAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; one's own conduct and labor as the proper object of scrutiny.
ἑαυτοῦof himself/his ownGenitivepossessive genitive (reflexive)
δοκιμαζέτωlet test/examinePres Act Impv 3 Sg · δοκιμάζωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ customary presentδοκιμάζω: 'test, prove, approve'; assaying metal for genuineness — a wordplay with δοκεῖ (v.3), 'thinks' vs. 'proves.'
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubjectἕκαστος: 'each, every one'; the distributive emphasis (cf. v.5) — responsibility is individual.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τότεthenadverb (temporal/logical)
εἰςin regard topreposition + accusative (reference)
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativeobject of εἰς (reflexive)
μόνονalone/onlyAccusativeadverbial accusative (limiting)μόνος: 'only, alone'; restricts the legitimate ground of boasting to oneself, before God.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
καύχημαboast/ground of boastingAccusativedirect object of ἕξεικαύχημα: 'boast, ground of boasting' (the thing boasted in, vs. καύχησις the act); here whatever cause for satisfaction the test yields.
ἕξειhe will haveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (future of consequence)→ predictive futureἔχω: 'have, hold'; the future marks what follows from honest self-examination.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative adverb
εἰςin regard topreposition + accusative (reference)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἕτερονotherAccusativeobject of εἰς (substantival adj.)ἕτερος: 'another (of a different kind)'; the neighbor against whom one is tempted to measure oneself.
5
ἕκαστος γὰρ τὸ ἴδιον φορτίον βαστάσει.
for each will carry his own load.
A proverbial ground for v.4's self-examination — no tension with v.2: the crushing βάρος is shared, but the personal φορτίον of accountability before God is each one's own to carry.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject (distributive)ἕκαστος: 'each'; resumes v.4 — individual accountability is the keynote.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἴδιονownAccusativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own, private'; underscores the personal, non-transferable nature of the load.
φορτίονload/packAccusativedirect objectφορτίον: 'load, pack' (diminutive of φόρτος); a soldier's kit or traveler's pack — the personal responsibility one bears, distinct from the βάρος of v.2.
βαστάσειwill carry/bearFut Act Indic 3 Sg · βαστάζωmain verb (gnomic future)→ gnomic future (proverbial truth)βαστάζω: 'bear, carry'; the same verb as v.2, now of the load no one else can shoulder — with an eye to final accountability.
6
Κοινωνείτω δὲ ὁ κατηχούμενος τὸν λόγον τῷ κατηχοῦντι ἐν πᾶσιν ἀγαθοῖς.
And let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with the one who teaches.
A fresh concrete instance of burden-bearing: the taught are to share material 'good things' with their teachers — a partnership that prepares the sowing-and-reaping principle to follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
Κοινωνείτωlet sharePres Act Impv 3 Sg · κοινωνέωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ customary presentκοινωνέω: 'share, have fellowship/partnership in'; the verb of common participation — often, as here, of sharing goods (cf. Phil 4:15).
δὲand/nowdevelopmental conjunction
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κατηχούμενοςthe one being taughtPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κατηχέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (ongoing instruction)κατηχέω: 'instruct orally, teach' (whence 'catechism, catechumen'); the learner under instruction in the gospel.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativeaccusative of respect/content (with κατηχούμενος)λόγος: 'word'; here the word taught — the Christian message in which the catechumen is instructed.
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κατηχοῦντιthe one teachingPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · κατηχέωdat. of association (object of κοινωνέω)→ present (ongoing instruction)κατηχέω: active here — the teacher; the dative names the partner with whom good things are shared.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect/sphere)
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective
ἀγαθοῖςgood thingsDativeobject of ἐν (substantival adj.)ἀγαθός: 'good'; the neuter plural = 'good things' — chiefly material support, the proper return for spiritual instruction.
7
Μὴ πλανᾶσθε, θεὸς οὐ μυκτηρίζεται· ὃ γὰρ ἐὰν σπείρῃ ἄνθρωπος, τοῦτο καὶ θερίσει·
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, that he will also reap.
The chapter's governing axiom. A sharp prohibition ('do not be deceived') guards the agricultural maxim: God will not be sneered at, and the moral universe yields a harvest matching the seed.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Μὴnotnegative + imperative (prohibition)
πλανᾶσθεbe deceivedPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πλανάωmain verb (prohibition)→ customary present (stop/do not be in the habit)πλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive' (cf. 'planet,' the 'wanderer'); a standard formula warning against self-delusion (1 Cor 6:9).
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; anarthrous and fronted for emphasis — 'it is God who is not to be mocked.'
οὐnotnegative adverb
μυκτηρίζεταιis mocked/sneered atPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · μυκτηρίζωmain verb→ gnomic present (timeless truth)μυκτηρίζω: lit. 'turn up the nose' (μυκτήρ 'nostril'), so 'sneer at, mock'; a NT hapax — God cannot be treated with such contempt and escape the harvest.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of σπείρῃ)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐὰν-everparticle (generalizes the relative)ἐάν after a relative (= ἄν) makes it indefinite — 'whatever.'
σπείρῃsowsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · σπείρωverb of indefinite relative clause→ gnomic presentσπείρω: 'sow (seed)'; the agricultural image governs vv.7–9 — present choices are seed.
ἄνθρωποςa personNominativesubject of σπείρῃ
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of θερίσει (resumptive demonstrative)τοῦτο: 'this'; resumes the relative ὅ — exactly the same kind is harvested.
καὶalsoadverbial (correspondence)
θερίσειhe will reapFut Act Indic 3 Sg · θερίζωmain verb (apodosis)→ gnomic future (inevitable result)θερίζω: 'reap, harvest' (θέρος 'summer/harvest'); the certain return on what is sown.
8
ὅτι ὁ σπείρων εἰς τὴν σάρκα ἑαυτοῦ ἐκ τῆς σαρκὸς θερίσει φθοράν, ὁ δὲ σπείρων εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα ἐκ τοῦ πνεύματος θερίσει ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
because the one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
Explains the maxim with the letter's great antithesis: flesh and Spirit are two fields, each yielding its own harvest — corruption or eternal life. The seed determines the crop.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
σπείρωνwho sowsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · σπείρωsubstantival participle (subject)→ gnomic presentσπείρω: 'sow'; the habitual sower characterizes the person by where he scatters his life.
εἰςto/intopreposition + accusative (goal/sphere)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of εἰς (the field sown)σάρξ: 'flesh'; in Galatians the self apart from the Spirit, the seat of the works of 5:19–21 — here the soil that yields decay.
ἑαυτοῦhis ownGenitivepossessive genitive (reflexive)
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of the harvest)σάρξ: the same field is the source — what the flesh produces is decay, not life.
θερίσειwill reapFut Act Indic 3 Sg · θερίζωmain verb→ predictive futureθερίζω: 'reap'; the harvest verb of v.7 applied to each field.
φθοράνcorruption/decayAccusativedirect objectφθορά: 'ruin, corruption, decay'; the perishing that flesh breeds — moral and eschatological destruction, opposite of ζωὴ αἰώνιος.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
σπείρωνwho sowsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · σπείρωsubstantival participle (subject)→ gnomic present
εἰςto/intopreposition + accusative (goal/sphere)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativeobject of εἰς (the field sown)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit as the sphere into which the believer scatters his life (cf. 5:16–25).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of the harvest)πνεῦμα: the Spirit is both field and source — the harvest of life flows from him.
θερίσειwill reapFut Act Indic 3 Sg · θερίζωmain verb→ predictive future
ζωὴνlifeAccusativedirect objectζωή: 'life'; the harvest of the Spirit, qualified as eternal.
αἰώνιονeternalAccusativeattributive adjectiveαἰώνιος: 'eternal, of the age (to come)'; the life of the coming age, opposite of φθορά.
9
τὸ δὲ καλὸν ποιοῦντες μὴ ἐγκακῶμεν, καιρῷ γὰρ ἰδίῳ θερίσομεν μὴ ἐκλυόμενοι.
And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
The harvest principle becomes encouragement: keep sowing good. The promise of a harvest 'in due season' steadies the weary — provided they do not faint and abandon the field.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
τὸtheAccusativearticle
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
καλὸνgood/noble (thing)Accusativedirect object of ποιοῦντες (substantival adj.)καλός: 'good, noble, beautiful'; the morally fine — doing what is intrinsically right and lovely.
ποιοῦντεςdoingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ποιέωadverbial ptc. (concessive/temporal)→ present (ongoing action)ποιέω: 'do, make'; 'while doing the good' — the well-doing in which one might tire.
μὴnotnegative + subj. (hortatory)
ἐγκακῶμενlet us grow weary/lose heartPres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐγκακέωmain verb (hortatory subjunctive)→ customary presentἐγκακέω: 'lose heart, grow weary, become discouraged' (ἐν + κακός); the temptation to slacken in protracted well-doing.
καιρῷin season/at the right timeDativedat. of time (when)καιρός: 'appointed time, opportune season'; not mere chronology but the right, God-set moment of harvest.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἰδίῳits own/properDativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own, proper'; the harvest comes at its own appointed time, not on demand.
θερίσομενwe will reapFut Act Indic 1 Pl · θερίζωmain verb (promise)→ predictive futureθερίζω: 'reap'; the assured future harvest that motivates perseverance.
μὴnotnegative (with ptc., conditional)
ἐκλυόμενοιgiving up/faintingPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐκλύωadverbial ptc. (conditional)→ present (concurrent)ἐκλύω: 'loosen, relax, become slack/exhausted'; 'if we do not collapse' — the proviso on the promised harvest.
10
ἄρα οὖν ὡς καιρὸν ἔχομεν, ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς πάντας, μάλιστα δὲ πρὸς τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us work good toward all, and especially toward those of the household of faith.
The doubled inferential 'so then' caps the sowing section: while the καιρός lasts, do good — universally to all, but with special priority for the family of faith.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἄραsoinferential particleἄρα: 'then, consequently'; with οὖν a strong, emphatic 'so then.'
οὖνthen/thereforeinferential conjunction
ὡςasconjunction (temporal/comparative)ὡς with the indicative here = 'as, while, inasmuch as' we have opportunity.
καιρὸνopportunity/timeAccusativedirect object of ἔχομενκαιρός: 'opportune time, opportunity'; the open window for doing good before the harvest of v.9.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωverb of subordinate (ὡς) clause→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; possessing the opportunity while it lasts.
ἐργαζώμεθαlet us work/doPres Mid Subj 1 Pl · ἐργάζομαιmain verb (hortatory subjunctive)→ customary presentἐργάζομαι: 'work, perform, accomplish'; stronger than mere ποιέω — to put good actively to work.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)ἀγαθός: 'good'; the beneficial good done to others (cf. v.6).
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/relation)
πάνταςallAccusativeobject of πρός (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all, everyone'; the scope of well-doing is universal — no one excluded.
μάλισταespeciallyadverb (superlative of degree)μάλιστα: 'most of all, especially'; the priority within the universal — charity begins, though does not end, at the household.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/relation)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
οἰκείουςmembers of the householdAccusativeobject of πρός (substantival adj.)οἰκεῖος: 'belonging to the household, of the family' (οἶκος 'house'); fellow believers as God's family.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
πίστεωςof faithGenitiveattributive genitive (defining the household)πίστις: 'faith'; the household defined by faith — the believing community, bound not by blood but by trust in Christ.
11
Ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί.
See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand.
Paul takes the pen from the amanuensis for the emphatic, autograph conclusion. The 'large letters' underscore the urgency and personal weight of the summary that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
Ἴδετεsee/lookAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (imperative, calls attention)→ ingressive aorist (take note now)ὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see, look'; the imperative summons the readers to notice the change of hand.
πηλίκοιςhow large/what bigDativeinterrogative-exclamatory adjective (attributive)πηλίκος: 'how great, how large'; exclamatory here — the size of the script, written by Paul's own (perhaps unpracticed or ailing) hand.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of advantage/recipient
γράμμασινletters/charactersDativedat. of means (instrument of writing)γράμμα: 'written character, letter (of the alphabet)'; the plural = the size of the handwriting, not the length of the epistle.
ἔγραψαI have written/I writeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb (epistolary aorist)→ epistolary aorist (= present from the writer's standpoint)γράφω: 'write'; the epistolary aorist looks at the act from the reader's perspective — 'I am writing.'
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐμῇmy ownDativepossessive adjective (emphatic)ἐμός: 'my (own)'; the emphatic possessive stresses that this is Paul's personal autograph.
χειρίhandDativedat. of means (instrument)χείρ: 'hand'; the authenticating signature-hand, as in 1 Cor 16:21; 2 Thess 3:17.
12
ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ μὴ διώκωνται·
As many as wish to make a good showing in the flesh, these compel you to be circumcised, only so that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Paul names the agitators' real motive: a fair outward show and the avoidance of persecution. Forcing circumcision is a strategy to dodge the offense of the cross.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὅσοιas many asNominativerelative-correlative pronoun (subject)ὅσος: 'as much/many as'; sweeps in the whole class of the agitators.
θέλουσινwish/wantPres Act Indic 3 Pl · θέλωverb of relative clause→ customary presentθέλω: 'will, wish, desire'; their governing intent is the appearance, not the gospel.
εὐπροσωπῆσαιto make a good showingAor Act Inf · εὐπροσωπέωcomplementary infinitive (after θέλουσιν)→ constative aoristεὐπροσωπέω: 'put on a fair face, make a good showing' (εὖ + πρόσωπον 'face'); a NT hapax — to look good outwardly.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σαρκίfleshDativedat. of sphereσάρξ: 'flesh'; here the outward, human realm — circumcision as a fleshly credential to display.
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (resumptive demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this one'; resumes ὅσοι emphatically — 'these are the ones who...'
ἀναγκάζουσινcompel/forcePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναγκάζωmain verb→ conative present (try to compel)ἀναγκάζω: 'compel, force, urge strongly'; the same verb as 2:3, 14 — pressure to be circumcised.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
περιτέμνεσθαιto be circumcisedPres Pass Inf · περιτέμνωcomplementary infinitive (object-complement)→ present (ongoing)περιτέμνω: 'circumcise' (περί + τέμνω 'cut around'); the rite at issue throughout the letter.
μόνονonlyadverb (limiting the purpose)μόνον: 'only'; their sole real aim follows — self-preservation.
ἵναso thatconjunction + subj. (purpose)
τῷtheDativearticle
σταυρῷcrossDativedat. of cause/reference (persecuted for the cross)σταυρός: 'cross'; the scandalous center of Paul's gospel — to confess it crucified invites persecution from Judaizing pressure.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivepossessive/objective genitiveΧριστός: 'Christ'; 'the cross of Christ' — the crucified Messiah, offense to the circumcision party.
μὴnotnegative (in purpose clause)
διώκωνταιthey may be persecutedPres Pass Subj 3 Pl · διώκωverb of ἵνα purpose clause→ present (ongoing)διώκω: 'pursue, persecute'; the persecution they seek to escape by trimming the gospel's offense.
13
οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτεμνόμενοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται.
For not even those who are circumcised themselves keep the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
Drives the charge home: the agitators do not even keep the law they impose. Their aim is a numerical trophy — boasting in the readers' circumcised flesh.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
οὐδὲnot evennegative adverb (intensive)οὐδέ: 'not even, nor'; sharpens the indictment — they fail at their own standard.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
περιτεμνόμενοιthose being circumcisedPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · περιτέμνωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (the circumcision party)περιτέμνω: middle here = 'those who have themselves circumcised / the circumcision advocates'; perhaps with iterative force of the ongoing campaign.
αὐτοὶthemselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (with subject)αὐτός (intensive): 'themselves'; even they, the very advocates, do not keep it.
νόμονlawAccusativedirect objectνόμος: 'law'; the Mosaic law in its entirety, which circumcision pledges one to keep (5:3).
φυλάσσουσινthey keep/guardPres Act Indic 3 Pl · φυλάσσωmain verb→ customary presentφυλάσσω: 'guard, keep, observe'; of keeping the law's commands — which they themselves fail to do.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
θέλουσινthey wantPres Act Indic 3 Pl · θέλωmain verb→ customary presentθέλω: 'wish, want'; their true desire surfaces — a boast, not obedience.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
περιτέμνεσθαιto be circumcisedPres Pass Inf · περιτέμνωcomplementary infinitive (object clause)→ present (ongoing)περιτέμνω: 'circumcise'; the readers' flesh is the trophy they covet.
ἵναso thatconjunction + subj. (purpose)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (basis/sphere of boasting)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὑμετέρᾳyourDativepossessive adjectiveὑμέτερος: 'your (pl.)'; emphatic — they would boast in what was done to your bodies.
σαρκὶfleshDativeobject of ἐν (ground of boasting)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here the literal flesh of circumcision — a fleshly statistic to parade.
καυχήσωνταιthey may boastAor Mid Subj 3 Pl · καυχάομαιverb of ἵνα purpose clause→ constative aoristκαυχάομαι: 'boast, glory'; the verb that turns, in v.14, to the cross as Paul's only boast.
14
ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, δι' οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται κἀγὼ κόσμῳ.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
The emphatic counter to the agitators: Paul's only boast is the cross. The fronted ἐμοί and the optative μὴ γένοιτο make it personal and absolute; through the cross, he and the world are mutually crucified.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἐμοὶfor me/to meDativedat. of reference (fronted, emphatic)ἐγώ (emphatic dat. ἐμοί): the fronted pronoun sets Paul in sharp contrast to the boasters of v.13.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
μὴnotnegative (with optative, deprecation)
γένοιτοmay it be/let it beAor Mid Opt 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (optative of deprecation)→ voluntative/deprecatory optativeγίνομαι: in μὴ γένοιτο, 'may it never be! God forbid!' — the strongest Pauline negation (Rom 6:2, etc.); here, 'far be it from me.'
καυχᾶσθαιto boastPres Mid Inf · καυχάομαιepexegetical infinitive (subject of γένοιτο)→ customary presentκαυχάομαι: 'boast, glory'; the very act the agitators prize — disowned except in one object.
εἰifconjunction (with μή, exceptive)
μὴnotnegative (εἰ μή = 'except')εἰ μή: 'except, unless'; isolates the cross as the sole legitimate boast.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (ground/basis)
τῷtheDativearticle
σταυρῷcrossDativeobject of ἐν (ground of boasting)σταυρός: 'cross'; the instrument of shame becomes Paul's sole glory — the gospel's paradox.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; the full solemn title weights the boast — the cross of our Lord.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means/agency)
οὗwhom/whichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά; antecedent cross/Christ)
ἐμοὶto meDativedat. of reference/disadvantage
κόσμοςworldNominativesubjectκόσμος: 'world'; the present order in rebellion against God — now dead to Paul, and he to it.
ἐσταύρωταιhas been crucifiedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · σταυρόωmain verb (relative clause)→ intensive perfect (abiding state)σταυρόω: 'crucify'; the perfect marks a decisive past event with a permanent result — the world stands crucified to Paul (cf. 2:20).
κἀγὼand INominativesubject (crasis καὶ + ἐγώ)κἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ, 'and I'; the crucifixion is mutual — Paul also dead to the world.
κόσμῳto the worldDativedat. of reference/disadvantageκόσμος: 'world'; with ἐσταύρωται supplied — 'and I have been crucified to the world.'
15
οὔτε γὰρ περιτομή τί ἐστιν οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις.
For neither circumcision is anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
The reason the cross is everything: in the new order inaugurated by it, the old marker of identity counts for nothing. What matters is καινὴ κτίσις — a new creation (cf. 5:6).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
οὔτεneithercorrelative negative conjunctionοὔτε ... οὔτε: 'neither ... nor'; sets circumcision and its absence on the same level — both irrelevant.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
περιτομήcircumcisionNominativesubjectπεριτομή: 'circumcision'; the rite the agitators absolutize — here declared to count for nothing in Christ.
τίanythingNominativepredicate (indefinite pronoun)τις/τι: 'something, anything'; 'is anything' = has any saving significance.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
ἀκροβυστίαuncircumcisionNominativesubject (coordinate)ἀκροβυστία: 'foreskin, uncircumcision'; the Gentile state — equally without saving value before God.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
καινὴnewNominativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new (in kind/quality),' not merely νέος ('new in time'); a qualitatively new order.
κτίσιςcreationNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν supplied)κτίσις: 'creation, creature, that which is created'; 'new creation' — the eschatological re-creation begun in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
16
καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπ' αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ.
And as many as will walk by this rule, peace be upon them and mercy, even upon the Israel of God.
A blessing on all who order their lives by the new-creation 'rule': peace and mercy. The closing clause — 'even upon the Israel of God' — most likely identifies, rather than adds to, this believing people.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅσοιas many asNominativerelative-correlative pronoun (subject)ὅσος: 'as many as'; gathers all who live by the rule, of whatever background.
τῷtheDativearticle
κανόνιrule/standardDativedat. of rule/standard (with στοιχήσουσιν)κανών: 'measuring rod, rule, standard' (whence 'canon'); the new-creation principle just stated as the norm of life.
τούτῳthisDativeattributive demonstrativeοὗτος: 'this'; points back to v.15 — the rule of the new creation, not circumcision.
στοιχήσουσινwill walk/keep in lineFut Act Indic 3 Pl · στοιχέωverb of relative clause→ predictive future (those who will so order their lives)στοιχέω: 'be in line, walk in step, conform' (military/marching imagery); the same verb as 5:25 — to keep ranks with the Spirit.
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (nom. in blessing formula)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness and well-being, here invoked as a blessing.
ἐπ'uponpreposition + accusative (direction of blessing)
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of ἐπί
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔλεοςmercyNominativesubject (coordinate, in blessing)ἔλεος: 'mercy, compassion'; the LXX rendering of ḥesed — covenant kindness, fittingly invoked on God's people.
καὶeven/andconjunction (epexegetical/ascensive — 'even')καί here is most naturally epexegetic — 'and that, namely' / 'even' — identifying the foregoing 'them' as the Israel of God.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction of blessing)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἸσραὴλIsraelAccusativeobject of ἐπί (indeclinable)Ἰσραήλ: 'Israel' (indeclinable Hebrew name); 'the Israel of God' — most read as the believing community, the true covenant people defined by faith.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitiveθεός: God; 'of God' distinguishes this Israel — God's own — from Israel 'according to the flesh.'
17
Τοῦ λοιποῦ κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω, ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω.
From now on let no one cause me troubles, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.
A firm closing demand: let the agitators cease their harassment. Paul's authority rests not on circumcision-marks but on the στίγματα of Jesus — the scars of suffering that brand him as Christ's own slave.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ΤοῦtheGenitivearticle (in adverbial gen. phrase)
λοιποῦhenceforth/from now onGenitivegenitive of time (within which)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; τοῦ λοιποῦ = 'for the rest (of time), henceforth' — an idiomatic genitive of time.
κόπουςtroubles/laborsAccusativedirect objectκόπος: 'toil, trouble, weariness'; here the harassment the agitators inflict — 'do not make trouble for me.'
μοιfor meDativedat. of disadvantage
μηδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)μηδείς: 'no one'; the μη- form suits the imperative — 'let no one.'
παρεχέτωlet cause/providePres Act Impv 3 Sg · παρέχωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ customary present (let it cease as a practice)παρέχω: 'present, offer, cause, bring about'; κόπους παρέχειν is an idiom, 'to cause trouble' (cf. Matt 26:10).
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ (emphatic): sets Paul over against the troublers — 'I, for my part.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὰtheAccusativearticle
στίγματαmarks/brandsAccusativedirect objectστίγμα: 'mark, brand, tattoo' (from στίζω 'to prick'); the brand of a slave or devotee — Paul's scars from suffering mark him as Christ's possession, a pointed contrast to circumcision.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivepossessive genitive (the owner whose brand)Ἰησοῦ: 'Jesus'; the marks belong to and identify with Jesus — branding Paul as his slave.
ἐνon/inpreposition + dative (location)
τῷtheDativearticle
σώματίbodyDativedat. of place (where the marks are borne)σῶμα: 'body'; the physical body, scarred in Christ's service — the true 'mark in the flesh.'
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive
βαστάζωI bear/carryPres Act Indic 1 Sg · βαστάζωmain verb→ present (durative, abiding fact)βαστάζω: 'bear, carry'; the verb of v.2 returns — Paul himself bears, in his body, the burden of cross-shaped fidelity.
18
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί· ἀμήν.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
The grace-benediction that closes the letter. The tender final 'brothers' — placed emphatically last — recovers the family bond after a stern epistle; 'with your spirit' grounds the blessing in the inmost person.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἩtheNominativearticle (with χάρις)
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in benediction; verb 'be' implied)χάρις: 'grace, favor'; the letter that began with grace (1:3) ends with it — the unmerited favor of the Lord.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive/source genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; the grace flows from the Lord Jesus Christ.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςspiritGenitiveobject of μετάπνεῦμα: here the readers' own spirit — the inmost self; the blessing reaches the interior person, not mere flesh.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of address (emphatic, final)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate address that opened the chapter (6:1) closes the letter — warmth after rebuke.
ἀμήνamenliturgical affirmation (indeclinable)ἀμήν: transliterated Hebrew 'truly, so be it'; seals the benediction and the epistle.