Galatians Chapter 6 · Verse 16

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅσοι as many as G3745
ὅσοι as many as
Strong's: G3745
Word #: 2 of 17
as (much, great, long, etc.) as
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κανόνι according to G2583
κανόνι according to
Strong's: G2583
Word #: 4 of 17
a rule ("canon"), i.e., (figuratively) a standard (of faith and practice); by implication, a boundary, i.e., (figuratively) a sphere (of activity)
τούτῳ this G5129
τούτῳ this
Strong's: G5129
Word #: 5 of 17
to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)
στοιχήσουσιν walk G4748
στοιχήσουσιν walk
Strong's: G4748
Word #: 6 of 17
to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e., (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety
εἰρήνη peace G1515
εἰρήνη peace
Strong's: G1515
Word #: 7 of 17
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
ἐπὶ be on G1909
ἐπὶ be on
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτοὺς them G846
αὐτοὺς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 9 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔλεος mercy G1656
ἔλεος mercy
Strong's: G1656
Word #: 11 of 17
compassion (human or divine, especially active)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 12 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ be on G1909
ἐπὶ be on
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 13 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραὴλ the Israel G2474
Ἰσραὴλ the Israel
Strong's: G2474
Word #: 15 of 17
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 17 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis & Commentary

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Paul pronounces blessing. "And as many as walk according to this rule" (kai hosoi tō kanonī toutō stoichēsousin, καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν)—and as many as will walk by this rule/standard. Kanōn (κανών) means measuring rod, standard, rule—we get "canon" from this. The rule is: new creation in Christ, not circumcision (verse 15). Stoicheō (στοιχέω) means to walk in line, keep in step (same verb as 5:25).

"Peace be on them, and mercy" (eirēnē ep' autous kai eleos, εἰρήνη ἐπ' αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος)—peace upon them and mercy. "And upon the Israel of God" (kai epi ton Israēl tou theou, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ). This phrase is debated: does it mean

  1. believing Jews (ethnic Israel who believe in Christ), or
  2. all believers (spiritual Israel, the church)? Context favors the latter: throughout Galatians, Paul argues that faith-believers (Jew and Gentile together) are Abraham's seed (3:7, 29), heirs according to promise. "The Israel of God" is the true covenant people: all who walk by faith in Christ as new creations, not merely ethnic descent.

Historical Context

"Israel of God" parallels "children of Abraham" (3:7), "Jerusalem above" (4:26), and "new creation" (6:15)—all referring to the church as God's covenant community. This redefinition of Israel as all believers in Christ (Romans 9:6-8, Philippians 3:3) was revolutionary and remains controversial. Paul's blessing echoes Psalm 125:5, 128:6. Peace and mercy summarize covenant blessings: reconciliation with God (peace) and unmerited favor (mercy). These belong to all who walk by faith in Christ, the true Israel, not limited to ethnic Jews or circumcised proselytes. This theological move transformed understanding of God's people.

Questions for Reflection