Gal 6:17 | TNotes | STEP | 6:17 don’t let anyone trouble me with these things: No one has a right to criticize Paul or his message because of his proven status as Christ’s servant. • Paul’s scars (Greek stigmata ) probably resulted from the severe persecution he had endured as a servant of Christ (see Acts 14:19 ; 2 Cor 6:4-10 ; 11:21-33 ). In contrast with the physical mark of circumcision that the false teachers in Galatia wanted to impose on Gentile Christians, Paul’s scars of suffering were proof that he was Christ’s servant (cp. Exod 21:6 ).

bActs 14:19►

c2 Cor 6:4-10►

d11:21-33►

eExod 21:6►

‏ Galatians 6:17

6:17 ^a don’t let anyone trouble me with these things: No one has a right to criticize Paul or his message because of his proven status as Christ’s servant.

• Paul’s scars (Greek stigmata) probably resulted from the severe persecution he had endured as a servant of Christ (see Acts 14:19 ^b; 2 Cor 6:4-10 ^c; 11:21-33 ^d). In contrast with the physical mark of circumcision that the false teachers in Galatia wanted to impose on Gentile Christians, Paul’s scars of suffering were proof that he was Christ’s servant (cp. Exod 21:6 ^e).