King James Version

What Does Galatians 6:14 Mean?

Galatians 6:14 in the King James Version says “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, ...” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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”

Galatians 6:14 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

16

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Read Galatians 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Paul's magnificent contrast! "But God forbid that I should glory" (emoi de mē genoito kauchasthai, ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι)—but may it never be that I boast! Emphatic denial. "Save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ei mē en tō staurō tou kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou, εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ)—except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's sole boast is Christ's cross—the instrument of shame becomes his glory.

"By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (di' hou emoi kosmos estaurōtai kagō kosmō, δι' οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται κἀγὼ κόσμῳ)—through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Perfect tense: accomplished reality with continuing effects. The cross severed Paul's connection to the world-system. He's dead to the world's values, priorities, acclaim; the world is dead to him—he no longer seeks its approval or fears its opposition. This is radical freedom: living solely for Christ's glory, crucified to all worldly motivations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Boasting (kauchaomai) was central to honor-shame culture. People boasted in achievements, status, lineage. Paul boasts exclusively in Christ's cross—the ultimate shame transformed into ultimate glory. The cross was Rome's most degrading execution for criminals, slaves, enemies. Jews saw crucifixion as divine curse (Deuteronomy 21:23, 1 Corinthians 1:23). Paul glories in this! Why? Because the cross accomplished salvation, revealed God's love, demonstrated Christ's sacrifice, broke sin's power, reconciled the world. The cross makes worldly boasting absurd: if God's Son died for sinners, what can humans boast about? This cross-centered life revolutionized values completely.

Reflection Questions

  1. Is the cross of Christ your exclusive boast, or do you boast in accomplishments, status, religious performance, or other things?
  2. What does it mean practically that 'the world is crucified to you, and you to the world'?
  3. How does meditation on the cross transform your values, ambitions, and fears regarding worldly approval and success?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἐμοὶ1 of 23

“that I”

G1698

to me

δὲ2 of 23

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

μὴ3 of 23

“God forbid”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

γένοιτο4 of 23
G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

καυχᾶσθαι5 of 23

“should glory”

G2744

to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)

εἰ6 of 23
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ7 of 23

“God forbid”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἐν8 of 23

“in”

G1722

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

τῷ9 of 23
G3588

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

σταυρῷ10 of 23

“the cross”

G4716

a stake or post (as set upright), i.e., (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e.,

τοῦ11 of 23
G3588

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

κυρίου12 of 23

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἡμῶν13 of 23

“of our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἰησοῦ14 of 23

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ15 of 23

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

δι'16 of 23

“by”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

οὗ17 of 23

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐμοὶ18 of 23

“that I”

G1698

to me

κόσμῳ19 of 23

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἐσταύρωται20 of 23

“is crucified”

G4717

to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness

κἀγὼ21 of 23

“and I”

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

τῷ22 of 23
G3588

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

κόσμῳ23 of 23

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

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 6:14 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 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 6:6Jeremiah 9:23-24Galatians 2:201 Corinthians 2:2Philippians 3:3Romans 1:16

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