Paul ends the Book of Galatians with a “benediction.” In fact, he does this in most of his Letters. Here’s what I mean, Galatians 6:18 … “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen..”
A benediction, a blessing, and perhaps even a prayer for their “good?”
Yes, yes and yes!
To say the least, this sort of closing is surprising, in a way.
Because Paul, throughout Galatians, has had some rather “strong” things to say about these (wild) people, these once heathen Galatians. These people far too tolerant to the erroneous doctrines of the Judaizers from Jerusalem! Judiazers? False teachers who had infiltrated some (if not all) of the Galatian Assemblies. Men who believed Moses was of far greater importance that Jesus!
Strong things like: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” Galatians 1:6
Again, like this bold statement: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth.” Galatians 3:1, “foolish!”
And what about Galatians 4:10-11? “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” He is close to doubting their salvation! Is all the Apostle’s work in Galatia … empty, useless, fruitless, “in vain?”
Galatians 5:4 may be even stronger! “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
Then again, just three verses later … “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” Galatians 5:7, not a “good report!”
But … and this is my point today … with all those “doubts” … Paul still “blesses” his dear converts in that distant Roman Province!
Yes … “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen..”
True, this is not as full a benediction as he pronounced (prayed) upon the Corinthians. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 16:23-24, no mention of such “love” to the Galatians!
And certainly is not a vast (as full) a benediction as his ending words in 2nd Corinthians (13:14) … “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
But it is still a benediction, blessing!
Even to the Galatians!
Again … “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen..” Galatians 6:18
Two more quick observations in closing.
“With your spirit,” may be included (worded in this exact way) because of the heavy emphasis Paul has placed on living “in the Spirit” and walking “in the Spirit” and producing the “fruit of the Spirit” here at the end of Galatians! (Particularly in chapter 5.)
And then this, only in Galatians is the vocative “brethren” included in a Pauline benediction! As if here (particularly here) Paul needed to assure them (those wavering Christians) that (at least) he considered them truly saved! Genuine “brethren” in the Lord!
And that fact (alone) would be a real blessing indeed!
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell