The concluding section of Paul’s letter is a summary of the key themes and teaching points that he has previously raised.

Think back to the beginning of Galatians where we were introduced to the Judaizers. Not so much in the letter itself, where we were only given vague references, but in the wider context, particularly the details we learn from Acts 15:1–41 and the first two chapters of Galatians. In case we have forgotten, the Judaizers were a group of Jewish believers who thought it was necessary for Gentile believers to keep Mosaic law. They recognized that Jesus was the Christ, but they did not fully appreciate the implication of his work. As a result, they made a big deal out of circumcision.

For many, many years, since the time of Abraham, circumcision was the sign of belonging to God’s people. If you came to faith in the Lord during the time of the old covenant, before the coming of Christ, then circumcision was meant to follow. You were not a true Israelite if you were not circumcised. Arriving in Galatia, this was their aim. They wanted to win the Galatians to their way of thinking. Yes, you have begun the Christian life through faith in Jesus as the Messiah. You have been baptized, you have made a good start, but now your faith needs perfecting. You need to be doubly sure of your salvation and obedience to old covenant law is the way to do so. That is the road to full membership. Cut off your foreskin, show your devotion to Christ, only then you can be sure that you belong. A faith that costs nothing is a faith that’s worth nothing.

With this doctrine, they were teaching a different gospel (Galatians 1:6–10). Not the good news of justification through faith in Jesus Christ. Not the good news of his righteousness imputed to us as if it were our own. Not the comfort of sins forgiven and peace with God. No, they were teaching the bad news, that there is more to be done. The bad news that the works of Christ are insufficient, that our imperfect obedience is needed to secure eternal life in God’s presence. Essentially, it comes down to boasting, trusting in your own performance. The religion of this present evil age. The religion that comes to all of us by nature. Everywhere throughout the world people assume that you will go to heaven if only your good deeds outweigh the bad. As long as you are better than most other people, you will be alright.

Such thinking breeds competition in God’s church (Galatians 5:26). It leads to envy, the worst sort of pride. And in response, the apostle Paul has made it clear that our deeds count for nothing. An envoy of Christ, an apostle abnormally called, he met with Jesus. He knows the truth and it is not a call to pull up your socks. Circumcision, uncircumcision—our works do not contribute to our salvation. Our works must be perfect if we are to merit life with God, and if they are not, we stand condemned. Condemned under the curse of the law even if it were only one sin (Galatians 3:10). Subject to judgment, destined for an eternity in hell.

There can be no boasting, therefore, apart from the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. No confidence in anything that we do, however godly and noble it might be. Only the work of the Messiah. He is the one who perfectly obeyed God’s law to merit the blessing promised to Abraham. He is the one who was crucified on the tree to bear the wrath of God against the sin of his people. Other than through the cross of Christ, the work of Jesus, there is no hope for salvation.

And to those who say that such teaching provides a licence for sin, to those who say that the law is needed for perfection with all its disciplines and duties. Well, Paul has told us of the work of the Spirit (Galatians 5:13–25). The Spirit who united us to Christ through faith when we heard the gospel (Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24) has not only made us share in Christ and all his benefits, but has also awakened and empowered our will so that we will increasingly turn our backs on the world with all its fleshly desires. The sinful nature remains this side of glory, but it is no longer in the driving seat. No longer ruling our every thought and desire. No, in Christ the new creation has broken through into the present. The fruit of the Spirit are being seen in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). He is working powerfully through the means of grace, teaching us to love, and strengthening us to do what is good.

Living in the new covenant, circumcision has lost its meaning. It is just an external mark. It is not a testimony to our faith; it is not a testimony to our devotion to Christ. It counts for nothing. And if you are really keen on having some kind of mark of commitment, like the Judaizers claim, then it should be the ones that from persecution and not the ones that are self-inflicted (Galatians 6:17).

In light of all that has been said, Paul’s concluding summary and plea is simple: do not be deceived by the Judaizers and their claims. Not only are they themselves unable to keep the laws that they impose on you, but they are only doing so to avoid suffering. They do not want the unbelieving Jews to think less of them. They do not want to be thrown out of the synagogue or excluded from high society. You see, if they can boast about your circumcision, if they can testify that you keep Mosaic law, then the offence of the cross is abolished. They can remain on friendly terms with those who share their ethnic heritage. They can position the church as an inconsequential movement within Judaism.

The essence of the matter is that we are made right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ. This was the message that Paul proclaimed to the Galatians. This is the message for which he has suffered. This is the message that brings peace and mercy to God’s people.