SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:11
¶ Mirad qu larga carta os he escrito de mi mano.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Galatians 6:11
Verse 11. Ye see how large a letter] There is a strange diversity of opinions concerning the apostle's meaning in this place. Some think he refers to the length of the epistle, others to the largeness of the letters in which this epistle is written, others to the inadequacy of the apostle's writing. It appears plain that most of his epistles were written by an amanuensis, and simply subscribed by himself; but the whole of the Epistle to the Galatians was written by his own hand. To say that the apostle was unskilled in Greek, and especially in the Greek characters, is in my opinion absurd. He was born in Tarsus, a city which, according to Strabo, rivaled both Athens and Alexandria in philosophy, and in arts and sciences; and therefore he could not be ignorant of a tongue which must have been the very means of conveying all this instruction. As to writing it, there was in his time nothing difficult, because the uncial character was that which was alone in use in those days, and this character is as easily made as the capitals in the Roman alphabet, which have been taken from it. I conclude, therefore, that what the apostle says must be understood of the length of the epistle, in all probability the largest he had ever written with his own hand; though several, much larger, have been dictated by him, but they were written by his scribe or amanuensis.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. Ye see how large a letter , etc..] Whether it be read as imperative, see ye, observe, take notice; or as indicative, ye see, ye do see, or you may see with your own eyes, it is of no great consequence: how large a letter, or with what letters; which some understand of the largeness of the characters he wrote in; others of the deformity of them, he not writing a good hand, being an Hebrew, and not used to writing Greek; others of the grand and sublime matter which it contained; though neither of these seem to be the apostle's meaning; but he intends the length of the epistle, the prolixity of his writing; and which he mentions, as an instance and expression of his love to then, care of them, and concern for them: inasmuch as he took so much pains to write so long a letter to them, in order to set things right in their view, and recover them from error: not but that he had sent as long, or longer letters to other churches, as to the Romans, the Corinthians, and Hebrews: but then it is to be observed what follows, I have written unto you with my own hand . The epistle to the Romans was written by Tertius, though dictated by the apostle, ( Romans 16:22) as very likely the others were by Timothy, or some other amanuensis. The apostle only put his name, and wrote his salutation, which was his token, in all his epistles, of the truth and genuineness of them; ( 2 Thessalonians 3:17), but this was not only dictated by him, but wrote with his hand, which very probably the Galatians knew; and since it was not usual for him to do so, it was the greater proof of his affection for them; that amidst so much work, and such labours as he was employed in, he should sit down and write so long an epistle to them with his own hand, in order to expose the errors of the false teachers, and reclaim them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceiv themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts a well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall rea as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, an the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those wh live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance an influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, an abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. Thi we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here is an exhortation to all to d good in their places. We should take care to do good in our life-time and make this the business of our lives. Especially when fres occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches.
Greek Textus Receptus
ιδετε 1492 5628 πηλικοις 4080 υμιν 5213 γραμμασιν 1121 εγραψα 1125 5656 τη 3588 εμη 1699 χειρι 5495
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. How large a letter (phlikoiv grammasin). More correctly, with how large letters. Grammata may mean an epistle, as Lat. literae, or epistles; but Paul habitually uses ejpistolh for an epistle. Grammasin means with characters, and phlikoiv refers to their size. It is claimed by some that the large characters are intended to call the attention of the readers to the special importance of the close of the letter. See below. I have written (egraya). The aorist may refer to the whole of the preceding letter, or to the concluding verses which follow. In either case it is probably an instance of the epistolary aorist, by which the writer puts himself at the time when his correspondent is reading his letter. To the correspondent, I write has changed itself into I wrote. Similarly the Lat. scripsi. Epemya I sent is used in the same way. See Acts xxiii. 30; Philip. ii. 28; Col. iv. 8; Philemon 11.
With mine own hand (th emh ceiri). The aorist egraya is epistolary, and refers to what follows. The concluding verses emphasize the main issue of the letter, that the Judaising intruders are trying to win the Galatians over to the economy of circumcision which is opposed to the economy of the cross. It is therefore quite probable that Paul may have wished to call special attention to these verses. If so, this special call lies in the words with my own hand, and not in with how large letters, which would seem to have been added to call attention to the apostle's handwriting as distinguished from that of the amanuensis. "Mark carefully these closing words of mine. I write them with my own hand in the large characters which you know."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:11 {With how large letters} (pelikois grammasin). Paul now takes the pen from the amanuensis (cf. #Ro 16:22) and writes the rest of the epistle (verses #11-18) himself instead of the mere farewell greeting (#2Th 3:17; 1Co 16:21; Col 4:18). But what does he mean by "with how large letters"? Certainly not "how large a letter." It has been suggested that he employed large letters because of defective eyesight or because he could only write ill-formed letters because of his poor handwriting (like the print letters of children) or because he wished to call particular attention to this closing paragraph by placarding it in big letters (Ramsay). this latter is the most likely reason. Deissmann, (_St. Paul_, p. 51) argues that artisans write clumsy letters, yes, and scholars also. Milligan (_Documents_, p. 24; _Vocabulary_, etc.) suggests the contrast seen in papyri often between the neat hand of the scribe and the big sprawling hand of the signature. {I have written} (egraya). Epistolary aorist. {With mine own hand} (tei emei ceiri). Instrumental case as in #1Co 16:21.
