Free Bible Commentary
“Galatians 6:17-18”
Categories: Galatians“From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.”
---End of Scripture verses---
Circumcision was not the “mark” that proved that the Apostle Paul belonged to his Master Jesus. The “brands” that demonstrated the Lord’s ownership were the wounds and scars that Paul received while faithfully and lovingly serving Him and carrying out His will.
“Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-26)
I pray that none of us will ever be exposed to the kind of abuse that Paul was forced to endure. But even so, choosing to follow Jesus should leave a permanent mark upon us. A Christian should be a changed person who is never quite the same after a true encounter with and conversion to the Lord.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” comes with a price. It cost Jesus is life. It will cost us something as well.
We will begin our excursion into Paul’s letter to the Ephesians with some introductory remarks tomorrow.
Have a great day!
-Louie Taylor
