Galatians 6:12 (DBY)

Passage

As many as desire to have a fair appearance in [the] flesh, these compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted because of the cross of Christ.

Nearby Context

Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have occasion, let us do good towards all, and specially towards those of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:11 See how long a letter I have written to you with my own hand.

Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to have a fair appearance in [the] flesh, these compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted because of the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:13 For neither do they that are circumcised themselves keep the law; but they wish you to be circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

Galatians 6:14 But far be it from me to boast save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom [the] world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "desire", "fair", "appearance", "flesh", "compel", "circumcised", "only", and "persecuted". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "desire" and "fair", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "See how long a letter I have..." into verse 13's "For neither do they that are circumcised...", so "desire" and "fair" belong inside that flow. In Galatians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "desire" and "fair" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.