SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:12
Todos los que quieren agradar en la carne, stos os constrien a que os circuncidis, solamente por no padecer la persecucin del madero del Cristo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Galatians 6:12
Verse 12. A fair show in the flesh.] The Jewish religion was general in the region of Galatia, and it was respectable, as it appears that the principal inhabitants were either Jews or proselytes. As it was then professed and practiced among the Jews, this religion had nothing very grievous to the old man; an unrenewed nature might go through all its observances with little pain or cross-bearing. On the other hand, Christianity could not be very popular; it was too strict. A Jew made a fair show there, according to his carnal system, and it was a temptation to a weak Christian to swerve into Judaism, that he might be exempted from persecution, and be creditable among his countrymen. This is what the apostle intimates: "They constrain you to be circumcised, lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh , etc..] By whom are meant the false apostles, who are here described, and their views, aims, and ends, opened and exposed. These were very desirous to carry a good face of things outwardly, of appearing outwardly righteous before men, and to be accounted so by them; and therefore did all they to be seen of them, and gain applause from them. They were such, as the Syriac version renders the words, as desired wrhbtnd , to glory in the flesh; their carnal descent and privileges, in their being Hebrews, the seed of Abraham, of the stock of Israel; and in the circumcision of their flesh; or in their external gifts, their natural parts, acquired abilities, learning, eloquence, and the like: moreover, as the Vulgate Latin version reads, they were willing to please in the flesh: to please carnal men, Israel after the flesh, in carnal and fleshly things; they sought not to please God or Christ, but men, and so were not the servants of either. They were desirous, as the Arabic version renders the words, that honour should be done them in the flesh; they sought external glory from men, and to be outwardly and publicly honoured by them; and all their religion was a mere outward show, a piece of pageantry; which lay in the observation of carnal ordinances, such as respected meats and drinks, circumcision in the flesh, and other carnal commandments: they constrain you to be circumcised ; not by using any outward force and violence; but either by their example, which had great influence, as that has both with respect to the embracing of evil principles, and giving in to bad practices: or by their doctrine; the arguments they made use of to persuade them to it, being formed and managed with great art and subtlety, wrought strongly upon them: or rather by overawing them, with threatenings of hell and damnation; affirming, that unless they were circumcised, they could not be saved: and their end was, only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ , or by the cross of Christ; meaning either the manner in which persecution might be suffered, as by being reproached, ill used, and suffering death as Christ did; or by bearing the cross of affliction and tribulation Christ has appointed for, and calls his followers to; or else the object for which it is endured, the preaching of the cross, or the Gospel of salvation by a crucified Christ; for this doctrine, and the preaching and professing of it, and living a life answerable to it, always bring persecution with them: and that persecution, which is more especially here regarded, was what came from the Jews, who in general were greatly offended at the preaching of a crucified Christ; and particularly from the professing part among them, who though they believed in Christ, and were not displeased at preaching in his name; yet were greatly affronted at, and highly resented, and as much as in them lay, by reproaches and hard censures, and the like, persecuted those who opposed circumcision, and the ceremonies of the law; and to avoid the ill will, contempt, and persecution of these, the false teachers preached up circumcision, and obliged their people to submit to it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-15 - Proud, vain, and carnal hearts, are content with just so much religio as will help to keep up a fair show. But the apostle professes his ow faith, hope, and joy; and that his principal glory was in the cross of Christ. By which is here meant, his sufferings and death on the cross the doctrine of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. By Christ, or by the cross of Christ, the world is crucified to the believer, and he to the world. The more we consider the sufferings of the Redeemer from the world, the less likely shall we be to love the world. The apostle wa as little affected by its charms, as a beholder would be by any thin which had been graceful in the face of a crucified person, when he beholds it blackened in the agonies of death. He was no more affecte by the objects around him, than one who is expiring would be struc with any of the prospects his dying eyes might view from the cross of which he hung. And as to those who have truly believed in Christ Jesus all things are counted as utterly worthless compared with him. There is a new creation; old things are passed away, and new views an dispositions are brought in under the regenerating influences of God the Holy Spirit. Believers are brought into a new world, and being created in Christ Jesus unto good works, are formed to a life of holiness. It is a change of mind and heart, whereby we are enabled to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to live to God; and where this inward practical religion is wanting, outward professions, or names, wil never stand in any stead.
Greek Textus Receptus
οσοι 3745 θελουσιν 2309 5719 ευπροσωπησαι 2146 5658 εν 1722 σαρκι 4561 ουτοι 3778 αναγκαζουσιν 315 5719 υμας 5209 περιτεμνεσθαι 4059 5745 μονον 3440 ινα 2443 μη 3361 τω 3588 σταυρω 4716 του 3588 χριστου 5547 διωκωνται 1377 5747
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. To make a fair show (euproswphsai). N.T.o . o Class. o LXX. In the flesh (en sarki). Qualifying the verb to make a fair show. The whole phrase is well explained by Ellicott: "To wear a specious exterior in the earthly, unspiritual element in which they move."'En sraki is not = among men, nor being carnal, nor as regards fleshly things. The desire to make a good appearance irrespective of inward truth and righteousness, is prompted by the unrenewed, fleshly nature, and makes its fair showing in that sphere.
They constrain (outoi anagkazousin). Neither A.V. nor Rev. gives the strong, definitive force of ou=toi. It is these - the Judaising emissaries, that constrain, etc. Comp. ch. iii. 7.
Only lest (monon ina - mh). Or, that they may not. Having no other object, or only from the motive that, etc.
For the cross (tw staurw). Better, by reason of the cross. Because of preaching a crucified Messiah. See on ch. v. 11. The Judaisers attempted to cover with the law - the requirement of circumcision - the "offense" of a crucified Messiah.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:12 {To make a fair show} (euproswpesai). First aorist active infinitive of euproswpew, late verb from euproswpos, fair of face (eu, proswpon). Here only in N.T., but one example in papyri (Tebt. I. 19 12 B.C. 114) which shows what may happen to any of our N.T. words not yet found elsewhere. It is in Chrysostom and later writers. {They compel} (anagkazousin). Conative present active indicative, "they try to compel." {For the cross of Christ} (twi staurwi tou cristou). Instrumental case (causal use, Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 532). Cf. #2Co 2:13. "For professing the cross of Christ" (Lightfoot).
