Galatians 6:16 Meaning – “Israel of God”

“And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”
(Galatians 6:16, ESV)

There is much debate as to what Paul is trying to say here at the end of Galatians 6:16 concerning the “Israel of God”.

Israel of God as Ethnic Israel

One interpretation is that Paul is distinguishing between two groups of people and offering two different blessings.

Those who walk by the rule receive peace – and that would be the Church.

And you have those who receive mercy – and that’s the Israel of God.

They would say what Paul is talking about ethnic Israel right now.

Context of Galatians 6:16

Thomas Shriner, pastor and professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote an exegetical commentary in Galatians. He concluded that it’s unlikely that this dispute as to who he’s referring to here can be resolved on the basis of grammar alone.

But even though he might be right about that, I think it can be resolved on the basis of grammar in context.

Paul in this letter is writing to say that there are not two peoples of God but just one.

Didn’t he labor in this very letter to do that?

In Galatians 3:28 he said:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
(Galatians 3:28–29, ESV)

So for Paul now to differentiate at the very end of the letter and distinguish between two different peoples is to undo or overturn his entire argument in this letter. That would be absurd.

This is why we need to understand that when he says “as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” – those who walk by the rule are the Israel of God and they receive all of the peace and the mercy that God promises to bless them with.

But when Paul calls them the Israel of God what he means is the spiritual Israel of God – the true Israel of God – those who have not been circumcised in the flesh but those who have been circumcised in their hearts.

Israel of God in the New Testament

This fits not only the context of this letter, but it fits the context of the entire New Testament as well.

Think about 1 Peter 2:9. What does Peter say about the Church?

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
(1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

We’re a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. These are all titles that described Israel under the Old Covenant. But he now applies these to the Church.

This is because Israel under the Old Covenant typified the Church in the New.

Think about Romans 2:28-29 where Paul says

“For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”
(Romans 2:28–29, ESV)

This is why in Philippians 3:2 speaks about the unbelieving ethnic Jew like this:

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.”
(Philippians 3:2, ESV)

But then what does he say about the Church in Philippians 3:3?

“For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—”
(Philippians 3:3, ESV)

So, the context of Galatians tells us that Paul’s only talking about one people – the Church. The New Testament tells us that as well.

Isaiah 54:10

There is an Old Testament text that serves as the background to Galatians 6:16. It’s Isaiah 54:10-12:

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
(Isaiah 54:10, ESV)

God’s peace and mercy are promised to Israel here.

Let’s keep reading – Isaiah 54:11-12:

““O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones.”
(Isaiah 54:11–12, ESV)

This is describing the result of this peace and mercy which is the New Creation.

In verses 11 and 12 Isaiah’s talking about what God’s going to do to Israel – how he’s going to renew them and cause them to be beautiful and to abound.

And so, God’s peace and mercy in Isaiah 54:10 promised to Israel results in the New Creation.

So, when we see in Galatians 6:16 we need to see the fulfillment of those things that were declared in Isaiah 54 that belong to eschatological Israel – the new Israel of God – composed of all believers no matter their ethnicity or background.

All that those that Christ died for as he came to break down the wall of hostility and out of two people make one. All of them will receive peace and mercy.

That’s the blessing that Paul is pronouncing upon this one new man – that they will always find God’s peace and mercy – that God’s peace and mercy will always be with them.

Because now we belong to one family together in one covenant. And in that one covenant we all receive the same covenant blessings

Judaizers thought Israel of God was ethnic as well

The Judaizers were telling the Gentile converts in Galatia that if they wanted to be a part of Israel they need to be circumcised.

Paul here in Galatians 6:16 says, “No! If you are a New Creation – if you have been justified by faith in Christ apart from circumcision – you already belong to Israel. You belong to the Israel that counts – the Israel that matters before the eyes of God – which is true Israel – spiritual Israel.”

What matters is not whether you are circumcised or not – if you first belong to physical Israel or receive that identity marker with them.

What matters is that you are a New Creation. What matters is that you belong to the people of God.

Because if you do, peace and mercy are ours!