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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 6:11 See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/6-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/48_Gal_06_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 6:11 - Paul's Final Warning" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/6-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/6-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/6-10.htm" title="Galatians 6:10">◄</a> Galatians 6:11 <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm" title="Galatians 6:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/6.htm">New International Version</a> See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! <a href="/nlt/galatians/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. <a href="/esv/galatians/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. <a href="/bsb/galatians/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand! <a href="/blb/galatians/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> See the large letters I have written to you with my own hand! <a href="/kjv/galatians/6.htm">King James Bible</a> Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/6.htm">New King James Version</a> See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! <a href="/nasb_/galatians/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! <a href="/nasb/galatians/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. <a href="/lsb/galatians/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand! <a href="/amp/galatians/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. <a href="/csb/galatians/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. <a href="/asv/galatians/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand. <a href="/cev/galatians/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You can see what big letters I make when I write with my own hand. <a href="/erv/galatians/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> See with how large letters I have written unto you with mine own hand. <a href="/gwt/galatians/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Look at how large the letters [in these words] are because I'm writing this myself. <a href="/gnt/galatians/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> See what big letters I make as I write to you now with my own hand! <a href="/isv/galatians/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> Look at how large these letters are because I am writing with my own hand! <a href="/msb/galatians/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand! <a href="/net/galatians/6.htm">NET Bible</a> See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand! <a href="/nheb/galatians/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. <a href="/wbt/galatians/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ye see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand. <a href="/wey/galatians/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> See in what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. <a href="/web/galatians/6.htm">World English Bible</a> See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> You see in how large letters I have written to you with my own hand; <a href="/blb/galatians/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> See the large letters I have written to you with my own hand! <a href="/ylt/galatians/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Ye see in how large letters I have written to you with my own hand; <a href="/slt/galatians/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> See ye how large letters I wrote to you with mine own hand.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> See what a letter I have written to you with my own hand. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Consider what kind of letters I have written to you with my own hand. <a href="/nabre/galatians/6.htm">New American Bible</a> See with what large letters I am writing to you in my own hand! <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> You can see how long a letter I have written to you with my own hand. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Behold, I have written these writings to you with my hand.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> You see how long a letter I have written to you with my own hand. <a href="/godbey/galatians/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> You see with how large letters I have written unto you with my own hand. <a href="/haweis/galatians/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Ye see in how many words I have written unto you with my own hand. <a href="/mace/galatians/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> You see how long a letter I have writ to you with my own hand. <a href="/wey/galatians/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> See in what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. <a href="/worrell/galatians/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> See with what large letters I wrote to you with my own hand. <a href="/worsley/galatians/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Ye see in how large letters I have written to you with my own hand. <a href="/parallel/galatians/6-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=1272" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/6.htm">Paul's Final Warning</a> 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. 11<a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: Idete (V-AMA-2P) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">See</a> <a href="/greek/4080.htm" title="4080: pēlikois (Adj-DNP) -- How large, how great. A quantitative form of the base of pou; how much, i.e. In size or dignity.">what large</a> <a href="/greek/1121.htm" title="1121: grammasin (N-DNP) -- From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning.">letters</a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: egrapsa (V-AIA-1S) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">I am using to write</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">with</a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: emē (PPro-DF1S) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">my own</a> <a href="/greek/5495.htm" title="5495: cheiri (N-DFS) -- A hand. ">hand!</a> 12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-10.htm">2 Corinthians 10:10</a> For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.” <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-17.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:17</a> This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. This is my mark in every letter; it is the way I write. <a href="/philippians/3-1.htm">Philippians 3:1</a> Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. <a href="/colossians/4-18.htm">Colossians 4:18</a> This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. <a href="/romans/16-22.htm">Romans 16:22</a> I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. <a href="/1_corinthians/16-21.htm">1 Corinthians 16:21</a> This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-1.htm">2 Corinthians 3:1-3</a> Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? / You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone. / It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm">2 Corinthians 11:6</a> Although I am not a polished speaker, I am certainly not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way possible. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">2 Corinthians 12:7</a> or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. <a href="/2_corinthians/13-10.htm">2 Corinthians 13:10</a> This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. <a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23</a> and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/acts/23-25.htm">Acts 23:25</a> And he wrote the following letter: <a href="/jeremiah/36-2.htm">Jeremiah 36:2</a> “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today. <a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm">Isaiah 8:1</a> Then the LORD said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary stylus: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. <a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Isaiah 30:8</a> Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>You see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand.written.<a href="/romans/16-22.htm">Romans 16:22</a> I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.<a href="/1_corinthians/16-21.htm">1 Corinthians 16:21-23</a> The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-18.htm">Handwriting</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-20.htm">Large</a> <a href="/mark/16-4.htm">Size</a> <a href="/galatians/5-20.htm">Use</a> <a href="/galatians/1-20.htm">Write</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/1-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Handwriting</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">Large</a> <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm">Size</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Use</a> <a href="/philippians/3-1.htm">Write</a> <a href="/philippians/3-1.htm">Writing</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-3.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 6</div>1. <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">He moves them to deal mildly with a brother who has slipped,</a> 2. <a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">and to bear one another's burden;</a> 6. <a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">to be generous to their teachers,</a> 9. <a href="/galatians/6-9.htm">and not weary of well-doing.</a> 12. <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">He shows what they intend that preach circumcision.</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/6-14.htm">He glories in nothing, save in the cross of Christ.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>See what large letters Paul's mention of "large letters" may indicate the physical size of the letters he used, possibly due to poor eyesight or to emphasize the importance of his message. This could reflect the urgency and personal nature of his communication. In the context of ancient letter writing, scribes often penned letters, but Paul’s use of large letters suggests a personal touch, underscoring the gravity of his message. This emphasis is reminiscent of other instances in Scripture where physical actions underscore spiritual truths, such as when Jesus wrote on the ground in <a href="/john/8-6.htm">John 8:6</a>.I am using to write Paul's act of writing himself is significant. Typically, a scribe would transcribe letters, but Paul takes the pen into his own hands here. This personal involvement highlights the importance he places on the message. It also serves as a testament to his dedication and personal investment in the spiritual well-being of the Galatian church. This act can be compared to other personal touches in Paul's letters, such as his expressions of love and concern in <a href="/philippians/1-7.htm">Philippians 1:7-8</a>.to you The recipients of this letter are the churches in Galatia, a region in modern-day Turkey. These churches were struggling with the influence of Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law. Paul's direct address to the Galatians underscores his pastoral concern and authority as an apostle. This personal address is consistent with Paul's other epistles, where he often directly engages with the issues facing specific congregations, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-2.htm">1 Corinthians 1:2</a>.with my own hand! This phrase emphasizes the authenticity and authority of the letter. By writing with his own hand, Paul assures the Galatians of the letter's genuineness, countering any claims of forgery or misrepresentation. This personal signature is a hallmark of Paul's letters, as seen in <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-17.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:17</a>, where he notes that his handwriting is a distinguishing mark in all his letters. This personal touch also reflects the intimate relationship between Paul and the Galatian believers, akin to a shepherd's care for his flock.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who authored the letter to the Galatians. He emphasizes his personal involvement in writing this part of the letter. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a> The recipients of the letter, a group of churches in the region of Galatia, who were struggling with issues related to the Judaizers and the true gospel. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group influencing the Galatians to adopt Jewish customs and laws, which Paul addresses throughout the letter. 4. <a href="/topical/l/letter_writing.htm">Letter Writing</a> In the ancient world, letters were often dictated to a scribe, but Paul takes the pen himself here to emphasize his message. 5. <a href="/topical/l/large_letters.htm">Large Letters</a> This could indicate emphasis, a physical ailment affecting Paul's writing, or a stylistic choice to underscore the importance of his message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/e/emphasis_on_authenticity.htm">Emphasis on Authenticity</a> Paul’s use of large letters signifies the importance of authenticity in our communication of the gospel. We should strive to be genuine and clear in our witness. <a href="/topical/p/personal_involvement.htm">Personal Involvement</a> Just as Paul personally wrote this section, we are called to personally engage in our ministry and relationships, showing our commitment and care. <a href="/topical/i/importance_of_the_message.htm">Importance of the Message</a> The large letters highlight the critical nature of Paul’s message. We should prioritize and emphasize the core truths of the gospel in our lives. <a href="/topical/o/overcoming_limitations.htm">Overcoming Limitations</a> Whether due to physical limitations or other challenges, Paul’s example encourages us to persevere in our mission, trusting God to use our efforts. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_gospel.htm">Guarding the Gospel</a> Paul’s personal touch in writing underscores the need to protect the purity of the gospel message against false teachings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 6</a> <a href="/q/what_was_paul's_'thorn_in_the_flesh'.htm">What was Paul's "thorn in the flesh"?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_tertius_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Tertius in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_colossians.htm">Who is the author of Colossians?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_evidence_of_paul's_ailment.htm">If Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) was a genuine physical ailment, why isn’t there concrete historical or medical evidence of it?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11-18) Concluding section of the Epistle, written in the Apostle's own hand. These Judaising teachers only wish to have you circumcised as a matter of outside show, in order to disguise their own professed Christianity from their fellow Jews, and so escape persecution. They show that they really care nothing for circumcision, for they freely break the rest of the Law to which they affect to give in their adhesion. Their true object is to make capital out of their influence over you, to boast publicly of your submission to the rite. I, too, will boast, but of something very different. My boast is in the cross of Christ. When I attached myself to the crucified Messiah, from that moment the world became nothing to me. Circumcision and uncircumcision matter not. The essential point is that total change which such a relation implies. On all who take this for their rule I can invoke a blessing, for they are the true Israel. Enough. I have a right to claim exemption from these attacks. The scars that I bear upon me are marks of the place I hold in my Master's service.(11) Ye see.--Rather, See. The Apostle calls the attention of his readers to the handwriting of these concluding paragraphs.How large a letter.--Rather, in what large letters: i.e., characters. The exact significance of these words is somewhat enigmatic, and can only be matter of conjecture. Two points, however, are clear:--(1) The latter part of the Greek phrase means "in" or "with" letters--i.e., characters of hand-writing--and not "a letter," "an epistle," as it is taken in the Authorised version; (2) The former half of the phrase means "how large," strictly in respect of size. The Apostle, for some reason or other, points out that the characters in which he is writing are larger than usual. What is his reason? It is hard to say. Some have thought that the reference was to the "shapelessness" of the letters, whether as due to the fact that the Apostle himself was not accustomed to the manual work of writing, or possibly to physical weakness from the hardships that he had undergone. The idea of "shapelessness," however, is not necessarily included in that of size. It seems, on the whole, most probable that the size of the characters express the emphasis and authority with which the Apostle is writing. He adds to the Epistle--which had so far been written by an amanuensis--a few bold incisive strokes in his own hand, trenchantly exposing the motives of the Judaising faction, and re-asserting his own position.I have written.--Must this be so taken: I have written? or may it be idiomatically translated: I write? In other words, does it refer to the whole previous portion of the Epistle, or only to these concluding paragraphs? The question turns upon a nice point of Greek scholarship, on which such authorities as Bishop Ellicott and Dr. Lightfoot take different sides. It will only be possible in a Commentary like this to express a general conclusion, without going into the arguments on which it is based. That conclusion would be that the Greek may, quite fairly and tenably, be translated: I write; and that being so, considerations of exegesis would seem to tell somewhat decidedly in the same direction. The whole character of this concluding section is very much what we should expect if St. Paul followed his usual custom of taking the pen from the amanuensis to write it, and its brief weighty summarising style would correspond well with the "largo letters" in which he says that it was written. If this description is to be applied to the whole Epistle, it must remain a riddle to which there is no clue.With mine own hand.--It was the Apostle's custom to make use of an amanuensis, and only to add a few final words in proof of the genuineness of the writing. (See especially <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-17.htm" title="The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is the token in every letter: so I write.">2Thessalonians 3:17</a>; and comp. also <a href="/romans/16-22.htm" title="I Tertius, who wrote this letter, salute you in the Lord.">Romans 16:22</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/16-21.htm" title="The salutation of me Paul with my own hand.">1Corinthians 16:21</a>; <a href="/colossians/4-18.htm" title=" The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.">Colossians 4:18</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand (ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί); see with what large pieces of writing (or, with what large letters) I have written (or, I write) unto you with mine own hand. There can be hardly any doubt that the rendering "ye see" of the Authorized Version, supposing, as it seems to do, that this is meant as an indicative, must be wrong (cf. <a href="/john/4-29.htm">John 4:29</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">1 John 3:1</a>). The ἴδετε of the Textus Receptus in <a href="/philippians/1-30.htm">Philippians 1:30</a> is replaced by recent editors with one consent by εἴδετε. Each one of the four next Greek words, πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα, has been subjected to a variety of interprerations. What appears to the present writer the most probable view he must explain as briefly as he is able. The interrogative πηλίκος means "how great," as in <a href="/zechariah/2-2.htm">Zechariah 2:2</a> (Septuagint); <a href="/hebrews/7-4.htm">Hebrews 7:4</a>. Accordingly, πόσα καὶ πηλίκα in Polyb., 1:2, 8 (cited in Liddell and Scott's 'Lexicon') means "how many and how large." Many, as e.g. Chrysostom, have supposed that the word includes a reference to clumsiness, ungainliness, as attaching to the apostle's handwriting ("with what big letters!'). But no example of the word being used in this sense of "ungainliness" has been adduced; and it seems safer not to import into its rendering this additional shade of meaning. The dative ὑμῖν Bishop Lightfoot proposes to connect closely with πληίκοις as μοὶ and σοὶ are often used in familiar style, with the sense mark you! But there is no instance of this use of the dative pronoun in the Greek Testament (see Winer, 'Gram. N. T.,' § 22, 7, Anna. 2, p. 140); and here surely it more naturally connects itself with ἔγραψαψ. It is not uncommon with St. Paul to insert some word or words between a substantive and its adjective or dependent genitive, as here between πηλίκοις and γράμμασιν (see <a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Galatians 2:9</a>; <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">Galatians 3:15</a>; <a href="/philippians/4-15.htm">Philippians 4:15</a>, etc.). In the instances now cited there appears no more logical occasion for such a seeming disarrangement of the words than there does here. The verb ἔγραψα is used with no objective accusative following, as in <a href="/romans/15-15.htm">Romans 15:15</a>; <a href="/1_peter/5-12.htm">1 Peter 5:12</a>; the substantive γράμμασιν being in the dative, because the apostle is referring merely to the form of the medium of communication, and not to the substance of the communication itself. The rendering of the Authorized Version, "how large a letter I have written," cannot be defended as a literal translation, though it may be allowed on one view of the passage to give the sense rightly. But though the plural noun γράμματα, in ordinary Greek, like literae in Latin, sometimes occurs in the sense of a single epistle or letter, it is never so used by St. Paul, who always employs the word ἐπιστολὴ to express this notion, which he does no less than seventeen times. In <a href="/acts/28-21.htm">Acts 28:21</a> it is rendered "letters," in the plural number; being properly "communications in writing." The noun γράμμα was the word ordinarily employed in Greek to designate a letter of the alphabet. It also denotes "a writing," as when in the plural we read in <a href="/john/5-47.htm">John 5:47</a>, "if ye believe not his writings," and in <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">2 Timothy 3:15</a>," the sacred writings," or Scriptures. In <a href="/luke/16-6.htm">Luke 16:6, 7</a> "take thy bill" is literally, "take thy writings" (γράμματα being the now accepted reading in the Greek text). In <a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7</a>, "the ministration of death in writings," the word probably refers to the ten commandments, each forming one writing; though it may mean "in characters of writing." In ordinary Greek it sometimes denotes a passage of a treatise or book (Liddell and Scott, under the word, 2:4). Next (1) the verb ἔγραψα ("I have written") may be understood, as in <a href="/romans/15-15.htm">Romans 15:15</a>, "I have written the more boldly unto you," etc., with reference to the entire letter, now nearly complete, as it lies before him. In that case the apostle's words may be rendered, "See, with what long writings [or, 'pieces of writing'] I have written unto you with mine own hand." Through some cause or other, we know not what the cause was, writing with his own hand was not a welcome employment to him; so far unwelcome that he generally devolved the actual penning of his letters upon an amanuensis, merely authenticating each letter as his own by a postscript added in his own hand (see <a href="/2_thessalonians/3.htm">2 Thessalonians 3</a>. fin.). Perhaps Philemon forms the only' exception (see ver. 19), apart from this letter to the Galatians. We may, therefore, imagine the apostle as painfully and laboriously penning one portion after another of the Epistle; often pausing weariedly in the work as he came to the end of each γράμμα, that is, to the end of each section of his argument, each seeming to him a long and toilsome effort. And now at last he exclaims," Look, what long, laborious performances of handwriting I have achieved in writing to you! And from that learn how deeply I am concerned on your behalf, and how grave your present spiritual peril appears to me to be!" Ordinarily it was only a brief "piece of writing" that he wrote with his own hand; here, long pieces, added one after another with painful effort. Or (2) the verb "I have written" may be referred to what the apostle is now beginning to pen, not merely because the epistolary style of the ancients, Greek and Roman, was wont to place the writer of a letter in the temporal standing-point of its recipient, as when Cicero dates his letters scribebam Id., etc., but because under some circumstances it is natural that the writer should thus refer himself to the view of his correspondent. Thus in <a href="/philemon/1-19.htm">Philemon 1:19</a>, "I Paul have written it (ἔγραψα) with mine own hand, I will repay it." It would be quite obvious to ourselves to express our meaning in the same manner. So far, then, as such considerations reach, it appears quite supposable that the apostle, having employed an amanuensis as usual as far as the end of ver. 10, then himself took up the pen for the customary addition of an authenticating postscript; and that, for the purpose of adding especial emphasis to the postscript which he here thought advisable to add, he made his handwriting most unusually large, and that it is to this emphatic style of penmanship that he here draws attention. Many modern critics have acquiesced in this explanation; and if γράμμασιν means "letters," that is, characters of the writing, it seems the most probable; for it does not seem likely that the whole Epistle was written in letters of an extraordinary size; while, if the characters were those of his ordinary style of penmanship, the remark would be too trivial to come from him. The present writer inclines to the former method of interpretation. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/6-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>See Ἴδετε (Idete) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. [what] large πηλίκοις (pēlikois) Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4080.htm">Strong's 4080: </a> How large, how great. A quantitative form of the base of pou; how much, i.e. In size or dignity. letters γράμμασιν (grammasin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning. I am using to write ἔγραψα (egrapsa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. to you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. with τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. my own ἐμῇ (emē) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. hand! χειρί (cheiri) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5495.htm">Strong's 5495: </a> A hand. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/6-11.htm">Galatians 6:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/6-11.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 6:11 See with what large letters I write (Gal. 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