Galatians 6:12

¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

¹¹ See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.

¹³ For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

¹⁴ But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
KJV: As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
WEB: As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh compel you to be circumcised, just so they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
ASV: As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
DARBY: 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.
BLB: As many as want to have a fair appearance in the flesh, these compel you⁺ to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

ÅB: Så mange som vil ta seg godt ut i kjødet, disse er det som tvinger dere til å la dere omskjære, bare for ikke å bli forfulgt for Kristi korses skyld.
OTB: De som ønsker å gjøre et godt inntrykk i kjødet, prøver å tvinge dere til å bli omskåret, bare for å unngå forfølgelse for Kristi kors.
B1930: Så mange som vil ta sig godt ut i kjødet, disse er det som tvinger eder til å la eder omskjære, bare for ikke å bli forfulgt for Kristi korses skyld.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Galatians 5:11
Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Read in context
Acts 15:1
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Read in context
2 Corinthians 11:13
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Read in context
Colossians 2:23
Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Read in context
Galatians 2:3
Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
Read in context
Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
Read in context
Galatians 2:14
When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Read in context
Luke 20:47
They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
Read in context