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Galatians

About this book
Chapter 6

1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each one will carry his own load. 6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,⁠ 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.⁠ 9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.⁠ 11 See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh. 14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.⁠ 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation! 16 And all who will behave in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them,⁠ and on the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.⁠ 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Texts in conversation

Compare 1 Enoch 105:2 and Galatians 6:18

Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses · New Testament

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Summary

The Epistle of Enoch ends with a wish of peace and a final amen. In Galatians, Paul ends the letter in a similar way, with peace and then amen, suggesting there was a common way of ending texts or letters used by both.

Passages

1 Enoch 105:2

Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses
1 In those days, the Lord commanded them to summon and testify to the children of earth concerning their wisdom: Show it to them; for you are their guides, and a recompense over the whole earth. 2 For I and My son will be united with them forever in the paths of uprightness in their lives; and you shall have peace: rejoice, you children of uprightness. Amen.
300 BCE – 100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 1 Enoch

Galatians 6:18

New Testament
15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation! 16 And all who will behave in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
48–55 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Galatians

References

"... The situation in the Epistle of Enoch is more complicated. The typical salutation or greeting is missing in 1 Enoch 92:1. Nevertheless, as Nickelsburg suggests, “it may be hinted at in the word ‘peace’” which comes at the end of the adscription in the same verse: “to all my sons who dwell on the earth, and to the last generations who will observe truth and peace.” Nickelsburg also takes the final reference to “peace” in the Epistle (“And you will have peace,” 105:2) as “an epistolary conclusion.” Thus, the Epistle of Enoch begins and ends with the word “peace.” In a similar way, the word “peace” provides closure for Paul’s letter to the Galatians (Galatians 1:3; 6:16). Moreover, the very last word of both letters is “Amen” (Galatians 6:18; 1 Enoch 105:2). ..."
James M. Scott, “A Comparison of Paul's Letter to the Galatians with the Epistle of Enoch,” in The Jewish Apocalyptic Tradition and the Shaping of New Testament Thought, ed. Benjamin E. Reynolds and Loren T. Stuckenbruck (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2017), 198–199.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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1 Enoch 105:2 and Galatians 6:18

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