Galatians 6:12

¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

¹¹ Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

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.

¹³ For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

¹⁴ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto 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
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Read in context
Acts 15:1
And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 11:13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Read in context
Colossians 2:23
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Read in context
Galatians 2:3
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Read in context
Luke 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Read in context
Galatians 2:14
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Read in context
Luke 20:47
Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Read in context