King James Version

What Does Galatians 6:15 Mean?

Galatians 6:15 in the King James Version says “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Galatians 6:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

From henceforth let no man trouble me : for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Read Galatians 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Paul restates his central thesis (echoing 5:6). "For in Christ Jesus" (en gar Christō Iēsou, ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ)—in the sphere of union with Christ. "Neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision" (oute peritomē ti estin oute akrobystia, οὔτε περιτομή τί ἐστιν οὔτε ἀκροβυστία)—neither circumcision is anything nor uncircumcision. External religious rituals are spiritually neutral, irrelevant for standing before God.

"But a new creature" (alla kainē ktisis, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις)—but new creation. Kainē (καινή) means new in quality, not merely recent. Ktisis (κτίσις) is creation, creature. What matters is being a new creation through union with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new creation transcends and supersedes all ethnic, religious, and social distinctions. The old categories (Jew/Gentile, circumcised/uncircumcised) belong to the old creation passing away. In Christ, believers are new creations—a whole new humanity where previous distinctions are irrelevant. This was Paul's fundamental argument throughout Galatians.

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Historical & Cultural Context

New creation theology appears throughout Paul (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10, 4:24, Colossians 3:10). Union with Christ makes believers participants in the new creation inaugurated by Christ's resurrection. The old age (dominated by sin, law, death) is passing; the new age (characterized by Spirit, grace, life) has dawned. Believers live in the overlap, already new creations though not yet fully transformed. This "already but not yet" requires faith to see spiritual reality (new creation status) that physical senses don't yet fully perceive. The Judaizers clung to old creation categories (circumcision); Paul proclaimed new creation reality (union with Christ).

Reflection Questions

  1. Paul declares circumcision and uncircumcision 'availeth nothing'—which religious practices or cultural markers are you wrongly treating as spiritually significant?
  2. Being a 'new creature' (καινὴ κτίσις, new creation) is the only thing that matters—does this new-creation identity dominate your self-understanding?
  3. Why does Paul's radical relativizing of all external religious distinctions still provoke controversy in churches today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ἐν1 of 13

“in”

G1722

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

γὰρ2 of 13

“For”

G1063

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

Χριστῷ3 of 13

“Christ”

G5547

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

Ἰησοῦ4 of 13

“Jesus”

G2424

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

οὔτε5 of 13

“neither”

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

περιτομή6 of 13

“circumcision”

G4061

circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)

τί7 of 13

“any thing”

G5100

some or any person or object

ἰσχύει,8 of 13

“availeth”

G2480

to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)

οὔτε9 of 13

“neither”

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

ἀκροβυστία10 of 13

“uncircumcision”

G203

the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person

ἀλλὰ11 of 13

“but”

G235

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

καινὴ12 of 13

“a new”

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

κτίσις13 of 13

“creature”

G2937

original formation (properly, the act; by implication, the thing, literally or figuratively)

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 6:15 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 6:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 5:17Colossians 3:10-11Galatians 5:6Ephesians 2:10Ephesians 4:241 Corinthians 7:19

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