Galatians 6 · Verse 16

Galatians 6:16

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

Galatians 6:16 in other translations

BSBPeace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.
WEBAs many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.
ASVAnd as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
YLTand as many as by this rule do walk--peace upon them, and kindness, and on the Israel of God!
DARBYAnd as many as shall walk by this rule, peace upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
BBEAnd on all who are guided by this rule be peace and mercy, and on the Israel of God.
WebsterAnd as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

What does Galatians 6:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. as many--contrasting with the "as many," Ga 6:12. rule--literally, a straight rule, to detect crookedness; so a rule of life. peace--from God (Ep 2:14-17; 6:23). mercy--(Ro 15:9). Israel of God--not the Israel after the flesh, among whom those teachers wish to enrol you; but the spiritual seed of Abraham by faith (Ga 3:9, 29; Ro 2:28, 29; Php 3:3).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. And as many as walk. As many as live, for so the word walk is used in the Scriptures.

According to this rule. Gr., this canon. See the word explained 2Cor 10:13.

Peace be on them. Rom 15:33.

And upon the Israel of God. The true church of God; all who are his true worshippers. Rom 2:28; Rom 2:29; Rom 9:6.

(c) "peace be" 2Cor 5:17

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 As many as walk according to this rule - Τῳ κανονι τουτῳ· This canon; viz. what is laid down in the preceding verses, that redemption is through the sacrifice of Christ; that circumcision and uncircumcision are equally unavailable; and that none can be saved without being created anew. This is the grand canon or rule in Christianity. Peace be on them - Those who act from this conviction will have the peace and mercy of God; for it is in this way that mercy is communicated and peace obtained. The Israel of God - The true Christians, called here the Israel of God, to distinguish them from Israel according to the flesh. See the notes on Rom 2:29; Rom 4:12 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Galatians 6:16-18
A new creation to the image of Christ, as showing faith in him, is the greatest distinction between one man and another, and a blessing is declared on all who walk according to this rule. The blessings are, peace and mercy. Peace with God and our conscience, and all the comforts of this life, as far as they are needful. And mercy, an interest in the free love and favour of God in Christ, the spring and fountain of all other blessings. The written word of God is the rule we are to go by, both in its doctrines and precepts. May his grace ever be with our spirit, to sanctify, quicken, and cheer us, and may we always be ready to maintain the honour of that which is indeed our life. The apostle had in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus, the scars of wounds from persecuting enemies, for his cleaving to Christ, and the doctrine of the gospel. The apostle calls the Galatians his brethren, therein he shows his humility and his tender affection for them; and he takes his leave with a very serious prayer, that they might enjoy the favour of Christ Jesus, both in its effects and in its evidences. We need desire no more to make us happy than the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle does not pray that the law of Moses, or the righteousness of works, but that the grace of Christ, might be with them; that it might be in their hearts and with their spirits, quickening, comforting, and strengthening them: to all which he sets his Amen; signifying his desire that so it might be, and his faith that so it would be.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Galatians 6:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ὅσοιhosoias many asG3745
τῷtōthose whoG3588
κανόνιkanoniruleG2583
τούτῳtoutōby thisG3778
στοιχήσουσιν,stoichēsousinwill walk,G4748
εἰρήνηeirēnēpeace [be]G1515
ἐπ᾽ep᾽uponG1909
αὐτοὺςautousthemG846
καὶkaiandG2532
ἔλεοςeleosmercyG1656
καὶkaiandG2532
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τὸνtontheG3588
ἸσραὴλIsraēlIsraelG2474
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ.¶theouof God.G2316

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Galatians 6:16

  • Galatians 3:29

    And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  • Philippians 3:3

    For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

  • Romans 9:6-8

    Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

  • Galatians 3:7-9

    Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

  • 1 Peter 2:5-9

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. …

  • Romans 4:12

    And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

  • Hosea 1:10

    Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

  • Romans 2:28-29

    For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

  • Psalms 73:1

    A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

  • John 1:47

    Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

  • Numbers 6:23-27

    Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. …

  • Isaiah 45:25

    In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
walk.
5:16,25; Ps 125:4,5; Php 3:16
peace.
1:3; Nu 6:23-27; 1Ch 12:18; Ps 125:5; Joh 14:27; 16:33; Ro 1:7
Php 4:7
the Israel.
3:7-9,29; Ps 73:1; Isa 45:25; Ho 1:10; Joh 1:47; Ro 2:28,29; 4:12
Ro 9:6-8; Php 3:3; 1Pe 2:5-9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Galatians 6:15

    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

  • Galatians 6:16

    And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

  • Galatians 6:17

    From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Read all of Galatians 6

Galatians 6:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y todos los que anduvieren conforme á esta regla, paz sobre ellos, y misericordia, y sobre el Israel de Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et à l’égard de tous ceux qui marcheront selon cette règle, paix et miséricorde sur eux et sur l’Israël de Dieu!
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und so viele nach dieser Richtschnur wandeln werden-Friede über sie und Barmherzigkeit, und über den Israel Gottes!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et quicumque hanc regulam secuti fuerint, pax super illos, et misericordia, et super Israël Dei.