Paul mentions a “rule” in Galatians chapter 6, three verses from the end of the Epistle! And what “rule” would that be? Simply this … walking “by grace through faith” and not slavishly walking by “obedience to the Law of Moses” … at least not doing so as far as one’s salvation is concerned.
“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:16, King James Version
The “rule” that, quoting the previous verse, believes and practices … “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
Wow!
By the way, the Greek noun “rule” used here is spelled “kanon.” It is our very English word “canon,” as in the “Canon of Scripture.” It means an “authorized, accepted body of truth.” The “rod” by which everything else is measured! The word is believed to derive from “kane,” merely meaning “a straight reed, or limb.” A measuring stick, in other words! A means of evaluation!
The verb “walk” is interesting, too. It is “stoicheo,” rare indeed! It means “to proceed, to march in a row!” As does an army! It is only used as a verb 5 times in the whole New Testament. Group obedience!
Anyway, those guiding their lives by God’s Grace (not Moses’ Law) here receive a “blessing,” pronounced personally by the great Apostle Paul. “Peace be on them!”
In Hebrew this would be “Shalom!”
But really this is a double blessing!
“Peace be on them, AND MERCY!”
Wow!
Remember?
Paul begins Galatians with a curse! (“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”)
But now ends it with a dual blessing! (“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy ….”)
Mercy is God’s compassion to anyone hurting! Anyone in agony. Anyone lonely, in fact … whatever personal need (legitimate need) a human being faces!
(Grace for the guilty, a legal issue. Mercy for the miserable, a personal and emotion issue.)
This blessing is for the Gentiles in Galatia who have been saved. Paul’s converts to Jesus there. And for the Jews who have seen the truth of God’s amazing Grace, for them too!
Those whom Paul here designates “the Israel of God!”
True Jews, spiritually as well as physically.
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
I will not use Paul’s phrase “the Israel of God” to transfer Jewishness to the Church! I will not adopt “replacement theology!” I will not deny the many Promises God still has pledged to Israel the Nation!
Here are the three groups of people represented in Scripture, never forget them. “Give none offence, neither to the JEWS, nor to the GENTILES, nor to the CHURCH of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:32, rightly dividing the Word of Truth!