Galatians 6:14-15
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Paul boldly declares that his only boasting is in the cross, but what's striking is the reciprocal nature of the crucifixion: the world has been crucified to him, and he to the world. This isn't just about the world losing its appeal; it's a mutual death to each other, signifying a complete severance from its values and pursuits.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is directly contrasting his own source of boasting with that of his opponents, who are pressuring the Galatians to be circumcised and rely on external religious practices. He declares that his only true pride is in the radical death of Christ on the cross, which has fundamentally changed his relationship with the world and its values. This declaration highlights the central, salvific power of the cross as the ultimate foundation of his faith and identity.
The cross of Jesus was the ultimate symbol of shame and defeat in the ancient world. So why does Paul make it the only thing he boasts about?
Paul dramatically contrasts his boasting with that of the false teachers. They prided themselves on external things – like circumcision and adherence to the Law – which were symbols of status and belonging within their religious community.
A Radical Shift
Paul, however, declares, 'God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' This isn't just a preference; it's a profound reorientation. For Paul, the cross, so despised by many, became the absolute center of his faith and the sole ground of his confidence. It's an 'oxymoron' – a scandalous paradox – to boast in something associated with death and shame, but for Paul, it was the very source of life and salvation.
Paul says the cross causes a 'crucifixion.' It’s not just about Christ dying; it’s about a death that impacts us and our relationship with the world.
The phrase 'by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world' reveals a two-way death through the power of Christ's cross.
Dying to the World
First, the 'world' – the system of values, desires, and priorities that stands opposed to God – has been 'crucified' to Paul. This means the world’s allure, its demands, and its ability to define his identity or worth have lost their power over him. They are dead to him.
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The World Dies to Us
Second, Paul himself has been 'crucified to the world.' This signifies his death to the world’s influence. He no longer lives for its approval, its rewards, or its expectations. His life is now oriented towards God, with the cross as the defining event. This mutual death creates a definitive separation, allowing believers to live a life set apart.
Understand the original words
kosmos · Greek,originalWord: Noun
The fallen world system organized in rebellion against God. It encompasses the values, priorities, and ideologies that are opposed to the kingdom of God and the gospel of Christ.
ktisis · Greek,originalWord: Noun, Adjective
The fundamental transformation that occurs in a person who is in union with Christ. It signifies that the old life has passed away and a new life, governed by the Spirit of God, has begun.
Paul's declaration in Galatians 6:14 is a radical rejection of the cultural and religious values of his day. The 'world' he speaks of is the system of human achievement, ritualistic purity, and social status that the Judaizers were promoting. His crucifixion to this world signifies a complete reorientation of values, finding ultimate worth and identity solely in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, which was seen as foolishness by the world but was God's power for salvation.
c. 33 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus is executed by crucifixion under Roman authority in Jerusalem. This event, considered a disgrace by Roman and Jewish powers, becomes the central focus of Christian faith and Paul's message.
c. 33-36 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom and Dispersion
The stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, leads to a severe persecution of the early church in Jerusalem. Many believers are scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, spreading the gospel.
c. 35-36 AD
Paul's Conversion
Saul of Tarsus, a fervent persecutor of Christians, has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. He is converted and becomes the Apostle Paul.
c. 47-49 AD
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, along with Barnabas, travels through Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), establishing churches and facing opposition from both Jewish and Gentile authorities. This journey plants the seeds for the letter to the Galatians.
c. 49 AD
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal meeting in Jerusalem addresses the question of whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision. The council affirms that salvation is by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Law.
c. 53-57 AD
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
Paul spends significant time in Ephesus and travels through Macedonia and Achaia, strengthening churches. During this period, he likely writes the letter to the Galatians to address the infiltration of legalistic teachings.
Paul expresses a similar sentiment here, counting everything as loss compared to knowing Christ and boasting in His sacrifice rather than his own merits or heritage.
1 Corinthians 1:18This verse highlights the 'scandal' of the cross to many, contrasting with Paul's view of it as the very power and wisdom of God for salvation.
Romans 6:6It explains the concept of being 'crucified with Christ' as a means by which the 'body of sin' is rendered powerless, echoing Paul's idea of being 'crucified to the world'.
Colossians 2:14-15This passage describes Christ canceling the record of debt by nailing it to the cross, and triumphing over the 'rulers and authorities,' which aligns with the cross's power to nullify the world's claims.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15Paul states that the love of Christ compels him, implying that his former life and desires (the 'world' to him) died with Christ, and he no longer lives for himself but for God.
jfbGalatians 6:14: "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."
- Translate, "But as for me (in opposition to those gloriers 'in your flesh,' Ga 6:13), God forbid that I," &c.in the cross—the atoning death on the cross. Compare Php 3:3, 7, 8, as a specimen of his glorying. The "cross," the great object of shame to them, and to all carnal men, is the great object of glorying to me. For by it, the wo…
vincentGalatians 6:14: "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."
Contrast of Paul's own boasting and its ground with those of the false apostles.By whom (δι' οὗ)The relative may refer either to the cross, by which, or to Christ, by whom. The cross was a stumbling-block to the Jews (Galatians 3:13), and it is the crucified Christ that Paul is emphasizing. Comp. Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24.The worl…
Paul boldly declares that his only boasting is in the cross, but what's striking is the reciprocal nature of the crucifixion: the world has been crucified to him, and he to the world. This isn't just about the world losing its appeal; it's a mutual death to each other, signifying a complete severance from its values and pursuits.
Paul is directly contrasting his own source of boasting with that of his opponents, who are pressuring the Galatians to be circumcised and rely on external religious practices. He declares that his only true pride is in the radical death of Christ on the cross, which has fundamentally changed his relationship with the world and its values. This declaration highlights the central, salvific power of the cross as the ultimate foundation of his faith and identity.
Paul is directly contrasting his own source of boasting with that of his opponents, who are pressuring the Galatians to be circumcised and rely on external religious practices. He declares that his only true pride is in the radical death of Christ on the cross, which has fundamentally changed his relationship with the world and its values. This declaration highlights the central, salvific power of the cross as the ultimate foundation of his faith and identity.
"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation." — Paul boldly declares that his only boasting is in the cross, but what's striking is the reciprocal nature of the crucifixion: the world has been crucified to him, and he to the world. This isn't ju…
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Last reviewed October 2026
