But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  (15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

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

(17) From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

(18) Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Amen

The context for today’s verses arises out of certain men coming from Jerusalem to the Galatians after Paul had founded a Christian church there.  These Judaizers/legalizers were Jews who insisted that circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic law was necessary for salvation.  The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians insisting that what really matters is NOT external works but internal rebirth where one has been changed into a new and different person through Christ.  As this new person, Paul is preaching the cross as the central principle of his message – Paul gloried (boasted) in God and the cross which was an object of shame to the Judaizers but was an object of praise to Paul.

Faith in Christ Jesus and his completed work of redemption will make fallen man right with God.  The law of Moses has ended – no man was able to keep the law and no man was saved through the law.  With the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, we now have the new covenant with God.  As a new person we must not live according to the flesh – contrary to our nature – but now live according to the spirit.  There is a new creation and Paul blesses those who follow this new standard and those who embrace this new standard are the true Israel of God.  To all who believe in Christ all things are utterly worthless in comparison with Him.  We need desire no more than God’s grace through Jesus Christ to make us happy.

Paul takes over the writing tool from his scribe at the end of this letter to emphasize the importance of this doctrine and to verify that he, with his apostolic authority, was the author of this letter.  This is the time for us to sow that which we shall reap in everlasting life.  With his written Amen, Paul signifies his desire that he has laid to rest this problem with the Judaizers and that the grace of Christ be with his readers – and his faith that this would be so.