Paul is unearthing some gems about legalism in Gal 6:12-14. He is saying that at the core, legalism is about appearance, people pleasing, because if those who promote legalism were to be honest to themselves they would be able to see the truth that grace is the gospel, and not about performance.

They want the value of the religious community

“Those who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, just so they won’t be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:12–14.)

In simple terms, Paul’s saying: they’re not doing this for God — they’re doing it to protect their image. Circumcision, in that context, was like a religious badge. It helped them avoid the backlash that comes with preaching the raw, unfiltered gospel — the kind that says grace is enough.

Because let’s be honest: grace offends people. Why? Because it strips away pride. It removes the illusion that we can earn God’s approval. So when someone starts preaching true grace — that you’re already loved, already holy, already accepted — the legalists get uncomfortable. It’s too freeing. Too scandalous. Too… unstructured.

I won’t say all, but many reject the teachings of grace of God saying that it is hyper grace because legalism looks “holy”, and since grace emphasizes walking in freedom and love, many call it cheap grace and hence shame people into walking in grace. 

It’s about racking spiritual points

Paul goes even further:

“They don’t even keep the law themselves. They just want to boast in your flesh.”

That’s harsh — but it’s honest. These folks were pushing rules they couldn’t even keep, just to say, “Look! Another one converted because of me!”

It’s not much different today. Sometimes in church culture, it becomes more about performance than love.

• Did you fast this week?
• Did you pray long enough?
• Did you give generously so that you’d be blessed?

These things aren’t bad — but why we do them matters. If it’s to impress God, manipulate blessings, or rack up spiritual points… we’ve missed the point entirely.

Even giving has turned into a transaction. “If I give this, what will God give back?” But love doesn’t work that way. We don’t give, serve, or evangelize for ROI — we do it because we love.

The Only Thing Worth Boasting About is…

Then Paul drops the mic:

“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.”

That’s his line in the sand. He’s saying:
“I’m done chasing status. I’m done playing the religious game. I don’t care what the world thinks — the cross is all I will boast in.”

That’s deep. Because when you truly understand what Jesus did for you, the need for approval — from people, from religion, from yourself — starts to die.

You stop saying, “I’m worthless,” and you stop saying, “I’m crushing it.”
Instead, you say, “I’m in Christ. I’m blessed and wonderful.” Your worth will be based on what Christ’s worth is.

You’re not up one day and down the next based on performance. You’re steady. Confident. At peace. Because your identity is rooted not in your effort, but in His finished work.