Galatians 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.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
God forbid
G3361
μὴ
God forbid
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γένοιτο
G1096
γένοιτο
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 23
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
μὴ
God forbid
G3361
μὴ
God forbid
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
7 of 23
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σταυρῷ
the cross
G4716
σταυρῷ
the cross
Strong's:
G4716
Word #:
10 of 23
a stake or post (as set upright), i.e., (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e.,
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
Lord
G2962
κυρίου
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
12 of 23
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
16 of 23
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
οὗ
whom
G3739
οὗ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κόσμῳ
the world
G2889
κόσμῳ
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
19 of 23
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ἐσταύρωται
is crucified
G4717
ἐσταύρωται
is crucified
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
20 of 23
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
κἀγὼ
and I
G2504
κἀγὼ
and I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
21 of 23
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
Cross References
Romans 6:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.1 Corinthians 2:2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.Philippians 3:3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.Galatians 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.1 Corinthians 3:21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.Psalms 49:6They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;Ezekiel 28:2Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
Historical Context
Boasting (kauchaomai) was central to honor-shame culture. People boasted in achievements, status, lineage. Paul boasts exclusively in Christ's cross—the ultimate shame transformed into ultimate glory. The cross was Rome's most degrading execution for criminals, slaves, enemies. Jews saw crucifixion as divine curse (Deuteronomy 21:23, 1 Corinthians 1:23). Paul glories in this! Why? Because the cross accomplished salvation, revealed God's love, demonstrated Christ's sacrifice, broke sin's power, reconciled the world. The cross makes worldly boasting absurd: if God's Son died for sinners, what can humans boast about? This cross-centered life revolutionized values completely.
Questions for Reflection
- Is the cross of Christ your exclusive boast, or do you boast in accomplishments, status, religious performance, or other things?
- What does it mean practically that 'the world is crucified to you, and you to the world'?
- How does meditation on the cross transform your values, ambitions, and fears regarding worldly approval and success?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul's magnificent contrast! "But God forbid that I should glory" (emoi de mē genoito kauchasthai, ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι)—but may it never be that I boast! Emphatic denial. "Save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ei mē en tō staurō tou kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou, εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ)—except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's sole boast is Christ's cross—the instrument of shame becomes his glory.
"By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (di' hou emoi kosmos estaurōtai kagō kosmō, δι' οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται κἀγὼ κόσμῳ)—through whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Perfect tense: accomplished reality with continuing effects. The cross severed Paul's connection to the world-system. He's dead to the world's values, priorities, acclaim; the world is dead to him—he no longer seeks its approval or fears its opposition. This is radical freedom: living solely for Christ's glory, crucified to all worldly motivations.