Let No Man Trouble Me

This phrase is from the Apostle Paul’s writings to the Galatians under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit in Chapter 6, verse 17. I believe what Paul means in this context can help each of us keep
the proper perspective on what issues we should let ourselves get exercised about in life. Too
often the things that society, politicians, co-workers, neighbors, family members, etc., focus on
are dwarfed in comparison to the substance of Scripture and what our lives as Christians should
be about. That doesn’t mean we don’t engage with our society or show responsibility to our
neighbors; however, our focus must be upon matters of the soul, matters of spiritual substance.
What does Paul mean when he says in Galatians 6:17, “Henceforth let no man trouble me.”?
It’s not that the Apostle doesn’t want to be bothered with problems in the church. On the
contrary, Paul testifies to the Corinthians that in addition to outside pressures and persecutions
the care of all the churches was upon him daily (2 Corinthians 11:28).

In this epistle, Paul has laid out God’s truth so that no man should trouble him by questioning
his authority or his sincere burden for the Galatians as his spiritual children. His body bears the
marks of his testimony for the Lord Jesus in stark contrast to the false teachers in Galatia that
were only interested in making a fair show of the flesh and avoiding any discomfort or possible
persecution that might come from an association with the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:12).

Rather than identifying with Christ Jesus and His sacrificial work on the cross (the wonderful
Gospel message), these Judaizers emphasized superficial markings of the flesh to remain
popular with their peers. Anything elevated above the work of Christ is ultimately just a
superficial, fleshly substitute that may deceptively appear to be a “fair show” momentarily. The
same pressures and distractions fill our culture today. Ultimately, all these superficial fleshly
things will pale in light of the genuine spiritual workings of God upon the hearts of believers
that are manifested outwardly in their testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. What markings are
in our lives that others may see to reveal our faithfulness to the cause of Christ? Are we living
for the fair show on the surface of life or is there substance to our existence?

Regardless of what the world may be clamoring for in its pursuit of the fair show, may we as
Bible-believing Christians not let any man trouble us by a focus on the flesh. May we walk in the
Spirit by the rule of glorying in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ with a crucified life so that we
will have the peace and mercy of God as we live princely lives for Him as the true Israel of God
(Galatians 6:14,16). Pursuing the satisfaction of fleshly desires for a good impression only in the
external things of life will ultimately lead to heartache, disillusion, and eternal ruin. The path to
contentment and fulfillment in life is identification with and service to our risen Lord Who was
crucified for us and forever lives for us. Nothing nor anyone can really “trouble us” when we
have such purpose and focus in our lives!