King James Version

What Does Galatians 6:13 Mean?

Galatians 6:13 in the King James Version says “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in...” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”

Galatians 6:13 · KJV

Context

11

Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

12

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. by whom: or, whereby

15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Read Galatians 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. Paul exposes further hypocrisy. "For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law" (oude gar hoi peritemnomenoi autoi nomon phylassousin, οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτεμνόμενοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν)—for not even those being circumcised themselves keep the law. Present participle: those currently being circumcised or who are circumcised. They're inconsistent: demanding circumcision while not keeping Torah themselves. This is devastating exposure of hypocrisy.

"But desire to have you circumcised" (alla thelousin hymas peritemnesthai, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι)—but they want you to be circumcised. "That they may glory in your flesh" (hina en tē hymetera sarki kauchēsōntai, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται)—so they may boast in your flesh. They want to boast about their circumcised converts as trophies, proof of their influence and success. It's not about truth or the Galatians' spiritual welfare but about the Judaizers' pride and credentials. They want to glory in external religious achievements (flesh), not in the cross (verse 14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus condemned Pharisaic hypocrisy: demanding legal burdens they themselves didn't keep (Matthew 23:1-4). The Judaizers followed this pattern: insisting on circumcision while themselves failing to keep Torah's entirety (which circumcision obligated, 5:3). Their motive was collecting converts to boast about—treating people as notches on religious belts. This mercenary, self-serving ministry contrasted with Paul's cross-centered, Christ-exalting ministry. False teachers throughout history have sought personal glory through their followers; true ministers seek Christ's glory. Test teachers by their motives: do they boast in converts or in Christ?

Reflection Questions

  1. Paul exposes the Judaizers' hypocrisy: they don't keep the law themselves but want to 'glory in your flesh'—are you treating converts as trophies for your ministry?
  2. Why is boasting in disciples' conformity to your standards ('your flesh') rather than their growth in Christ a form of gospel betrayal?
  3. When ministry leaders count numbers, baptisms, or external compliance as success metrics, are they glorying in flesh or Spirit?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
οὐδὲ1 of 17

“neither”

G3761

not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even

γὰρ2 of 17

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

οἱ3 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

περιτέμνεσθαι4 of 17

“circumcised”

G4059

to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise

αὐτοὶ5 of 17

“they themselves”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

νόμον6 of 17

“the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

φυλάσσουσιν7 of 17

“keep”

G5442

to watch, i.e., be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid

ἀλλὰ8 of 17

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

θέλουσιν9 of 17

“desire”

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ὑμᾶς10 of 17

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

περιτέμνεσθαι11 of 17

“circumcised”

G4059

to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise

ἵνα12 of 17

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἐν13 of 17

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ14 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑμετέρᾳ15 of 17

“your”

G5212

yours, i.e., pertaining to you

σαρκὶ16 of 17

“flesh”

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

καυχήσωνται17 of 17

“they may glory”

G2744

to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Galatians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Galatians 6:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Galatians 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 3:31 Corinthians 5:62 Peter 2:19Romans 2:17-25Matthew 23:3Matthew 23:15

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