Paul uses a Scribe

Galatians 6:1-18. The book of Galatians, which was probably Paul’s first letter, was written approximately Oct – March AD49.

AD49 — Galatians 1:1 – 6:18. Fits in the timeline at approximately Acts 14 – 15.

Some believe that Paul found it hard to write. He had had a hard life, with many injuries from persecutions. However, scribes were frequently used in those times, even by the educated. For whatever reason, Paul dictated his letters to a scribe.

For the book of Romans Paul’s scribe was Tertius. See Romans 16:22: “I, Tertius, the one writing down this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

Background Reading:

Help Each Other Doing Good to All

6:1 Brothers, if a person is caught doing something wrong, those of you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Watch out for yourself so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Practice carrying each other’s burdens. In this way you will fulfill the law of the Messiah. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is really nothing, he is only fooling himself. 4 Each person must examine his own actions, and then he can boast about his own accomplishments and not about someone else. 5 For everyone must carry his own load.

6 The person who is taught the word should share all his goods with his teacher. 7 Stop being deceived; God is not to be ridiculed. A person harvests whatever he plants: 8 The person who sows through human means will harvest decay from human means, but the person who sows in the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have the opportunity, let’s practice doing good to everyone, especially to the family of faith.

A Final Warning against Circumcision

11 Look at how large these letters are because I am writing with my own hand! 12 These people who want to impress others by their external appearance are trying to force you to be circumcised, simply to avoid being persecuted for the cross of the Messiah. 13 Why, not even those who are circumcised obey the Law! They simply want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your external appearance. 14 But may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, what matters is being a new creation. 16 Now may peace be on all those who live by this principle, and may mercy be on the Israel of God. 17 Let no one make any more trouble for me, because I carry the scars of Jesus on my own body.

Final Greeting

18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be with your spirit, brothers! Amen.
Galatians 6:1–18

More Information:

Paul was chosen by God to carry His name, perhaps because of Paul’s past history of persecuting those who believed in Jesus.


Other modules in this unit: