Greek Word Reference — Galatians 6:11
This word means 'to see' or 'to perceive', and can also mean 'to attend to' or 'to experience', like in Mark 6:38 and John 1:46. It's a key word for understanding and perceiving things.
Definition: ὁράω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for ראה, also for חזה, etc. ;] in "durative" sense (hence aor. act., εἶδον, pass., ὤφθην, fut., ὄψομαι, from different roots; see M, Pr., 110f.), to see (in colloq. even the present is rare, its place being generally taken by θεωρέω, see BL, §24). __1. Of bodily vision, to see, perceive, behold: absol., Mrk.6:38, al.; ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε, Jhn.1:46, al.; before ὅτι, Mrk.2:16, al.; with accusative, Mat.2:2, Mrk.1:10 16:7, Gal.1:19, al.; θεόν, Jhn.1:18, 1Jn.4:20, al. __2. to see with the mind, perceive, discern: absol, Rom.15:21; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.9:2 27:54, Act.8:23, Col.2:18, al. __3. to see, take heed, beware: ὅρα μή, with aor. subjc., Mat.8:4 18:10, Mrk.1:44, 1Th.5:15; id., sc. μὴ ποήσῃς, Rev.19:10 22:9 (Bl., §81, 1); before imperat. Mat.9:30 16:6, Mrk.8:15 __4. to experience: τ. θάνατον, Luk.2:26, Heb.11:5; ζωήν, Jhn.3:36; τ. διαφθοράν, Act.2:27. __5. to visit: with accusative of person(s), Luk.8:20, Jhn.12:21, Rom.1:11, al.; with accusative loc, Act.19:21. __6. to see to, care for: Mat.27:4, Act.18:15 (cf. ἀφ-, καθ-, προ-, συν-οράω). SYN.: see: βλέπω. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 605 NT verses. KJV: behold, perceive, see, take heed See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Acts 16:40; 1 Peter 1:8.
This word asks how great or large something is, used in Galatians 6:11 and Hebrews 7:4 to express surprise or wonder.
Definition: πηλίκος, -η, -ον [in LXX: Zec.2:2 (6) (כָּמַהּ), 4Ma.15:22 * ;] interrog., how large, how great ? (prop., of magnitude, as πόσος of quantity): in exclamations, = ἡλίκος (see Bl., § 51, 4), Gal.6:11; of personal greatness, Heb.7:4.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: how great (large) See also: Galatians 6:11; Hebrews 7:4.
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
The Greek word for something written, like a letter or book, used in Galatians 6:11 to refer to a character or letter. It can also mean a written document, like a bill or scripture.
Definition: γράμμα, -τος, τό (γράφω), [in LXX for סֵפֶר, etc. ;] __1. that which is traced or drawn, a picture. __2. that which is written; __(1) a character, letter: Gal.6:11; __(2) a writing, a written document; __(a) a bill or account: Luk.16:6, 7; __(b) a letter: Act.28:21; __(with) τὰ ἱερὰ γ., the sacred writings, i.e. the OT: 2Ti.3:15 (so in Philo, Vit. Mos., iii, 39) ; __(d) τὸ γ., the letter, the written word as an external authority in contrast with the direct influence of the Spirit as manifested in the new Covenant: Rom.2:27, 29 7:6, 2Co.3:6, 7; __(3) τὰ γ., letters, i.e. learning: Jhn.7:15, Act.26:24. (In π. an illiterate person is very frequently referred to as γράμματα μ᾽̀ εἰδότης, and this "never means anything else than inability to write": MM, Exp., x; but see also Cremer, 166; DCG, i, 202; ii, 584.) † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 14 NT verses. KJV: bill, learning, letter, scripture, writing, written See also: 2 Corinthians 3:6; John 7:15; Romans 2:27.
This verb means to write or record something, like in John 8:6 where Jesus writes on the ground. It can also mean to describe or express something in writing, as seen in Luke 1:63 and Galatians 6:11.
Definition: γράφω, [in LXX chiefly for כּתב ]; __1. to scrape, graze (Hom.), and later (Hdt.) to sketch, draw. __2. to write; __(a) of forming or tracing letters on writing material: Jhn.8:[6], Gal.6:11, 2Th.3:17; __(b) to express in writing, commit to writing, record: Luk.1:63, Jhn.19:21, 22 Rev.1:11, 19 al.; of scripture as a standing authority (Deiss., BS, 112ff.), γέγραπται, it stands written (Luther), Mat.4:4, Mrk.7:6, Luk.4:8, Rom.1:17, 1Co.1:31, al.; id. before ἐν, Mrk.1:2, Act.1:20, al.; with accusative, to write of: Jhn.1:46, Rom.10:5; before περί, Mat.26:24, Mrk.14:21, Jhn.5:46; al.; with dative (WM, §31, 4), Luk.18:31; id. before ἵνα (M, Pr., 207f.), Mrk.12:19, Luk.20:28; κατὰ τ. γεγραμμένον, 2Co.4:13; γεγραμμένον ἐστί, Jhn.2:17; ἐγράφη, Rom.4:24; ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα, Jhn.12:16; __(with) of writing directions or information, with dative of person(s): Rom.15:15, 2Co.7:12, al.; __(d) of that which contains the record or message: βιβλίον, Mrk.10:4, Jhn.21:25, Rev.5:1; τίτλον, Jhn.19:19; ἐπιστολήν, Act.23:25; ἐντολήν, Mrk.10:5 (cf. ἀπο-, ἐγ-, ἐπι-, κατα-, προ-). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 183 NT verses. KJV: describe, write(-ing, -ten) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:19; Luke 1:63; 1 Peter 1:16.
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
This word means 'mine' or 'my', showing something belongs to the speaker, as in Matthew 18:20 and John 3:29. It is often used to describe something as one's own.
Definition: ἐμός, -ή, -όν poss. prop. of first of person(s), representing the emphasized genitive ἐμοῦ, mine, subjectively and objectively, i.e. belonging to, proceeding from or related to me: Mat.18:20, Mrk.8:38, Jhn.3:29 (most frequently in this gospel), al.; absol., τὸ ἐμόν, τὰ ἐμά, Mat.20:15 25:27, Luk.15:31, Jhn.10:14 16:14-15 17:10; = genitive obj. (cl.), εἰς τ. ἐμὴν ἀvάμνησιν, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24-25; with genitive expl., τ. ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου, 1Co.16:21, Col.4:18, 2Th.3:17 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: of me, mine (own), my See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; John 10:26; Revelation 2:20.
The word for hand in Greek can be literal or figurative, referring to power or instrument, as seen in Matthew 3:12 and 1 Corinthians 16:21. It is often used to describe a means of action or a symbol of authority, and is sometimes used in phrases that are similar to Hebrew constructions.
Definition: χείρ, genitive, χειρος (accusative, χεῖραν, 1Pe.5:6 T), ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for יָד ;] the hand: Mat.3:12, Mrk.3:1, Luk.6:6, al. mult.; ἡ χ., acting subject, Luk.22:21; pl., Act.17:25 20:34, 1Jn.1:1; τ. ἔργα τῶν χ., Act.7:41, Rev.9:20; ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τ. ἐμῇ χ., 1Co.16:21, Col.4:18, 2Th.3:17; prepositional phrases, esp. those without art., similar to Heb. constructions (Bl., §32, 4; 40, 9; 46, 9), ἐν χ.; with genitive (Lft., in l.), Gal.3:19; σὺν χ. ἀγγέλου, Act.7:35; διὰ (τῶν) χειρῶν (διὰ χειρός), Mrk.6:2, Act.5:12 7:25, al.; ἐπὶ χειρῶν, Mat.4:6, Luk.4:11; ellipse of χ. (ἡ δεξία, ἀριστερα; Bl., §44, 1), Mat.6:3, al. By meton., for the power or activity of an individual, Mat.17:22, Mrk.9:31, Luk.9:31, Jhn.10:39, Act.12:11, al.; metaphorically, of the activity or power of God: Luk.1:66 23:46, Jhn.10:29, Act.11:21 13:11, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 168 NT verses. KJV: hand See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Luke 4:11; 1 Peter 5:6.
Context — Final Warnings and Blessings
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
1 Corinthians 16:21–23 |
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. |
| 2 |
Romans 16:22 |
I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. |
Galatians 6:11 Summary
The Apostle Paul is writing a personal and important message to the Galatians, using large letters to emphasize his point, as seen in Galatians 6:11. This shows how much he cares about them and wants to make sure they understand his message, much like a parent writing a love letter to their child, as in 1 John 2:1. By writing in his own hand, Paul is taking personal responsibility for the content of the letter, which is a powerful example for us today, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:11. Just like Paul, we can use our own unique gifts and abilities to share the Gospel with others, and make a lasting impact, as in Matthew 5:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Apostle Paul write in large letters to the Galatians?
The Apostle Paul wrote in large letters to the Galatians to emphasize the importance of his message and to authenticate his authorship, as seen in Galatians 6:11, and this was a common practice in his time to signify the gravity of the content, similar to the emphasis in 2 Thessalonians 2:2.
What does it mean that Paul is writing with his own hand?
When Paul says he is writing with his own hand in Galatians 6:11, it signifies that he is taking personal responsibility for the content of the letter, much like he does in other letters such as 1 Corinthians 16:21 and Colossians 4:18, where he also writes in his own hand to authenticate his letters.
Is Paul's use of large letters a sign of poor eyesight?
While some have speculated that Paul's use of large letters could indicate poor eyesight, there is no clear evidence in Scripture to support this claim, and it is more likely that he used large letters for emphasis, as was a common practice in ancient letter writing, similar to the emphasis in Deuteronomy 27:8 where the law was to be written in clear and large letters.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse serves as a transition in Galatians 6, shifting from the discussion of doing good to all people, especially believers, in Galatians 6:9-10, to the warning against those who would compel the Galatians to be circumcised in Galatians 6:12-13, highlighting Paul's personal concern and authority in the matter, much like in Romans 15:15-16 where he also writes boldly to the believers.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to you that the Apostle Paul took the time to write to the Galatians in his own hand, and how can you apply this level of personal investment to your own relationships and ministry?
- How do you think the Galatians would have felt when they received this letter from Paul, and what can you learn from their experience about the importance of personal and heartfelt communication?
- In what ways can you use your own 'large letters' to emphasize the importance of the Gospel in your interactions with others, whether through writing, speaking, or other forms of communication?
- What are some ways you can follow Paul's example of taking personal responsibility for sharing the Gospel, and how can you ensure that your message is clear and unambiguous, like his large letters?
Gill's Exposition on Galatians 6:11
Ye see how large a letter,.... Whether it be read as imperative, "see ye", observe, take notice; or as indicative, "ye see", ye do see, or you may see with your own eyes, it is of no great
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Galatians 6:11
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Galatians 6:11
Paul made use of the hands of others in the writing some others of the Epistles, as appears from , and sometimes he himself only wrote the salutation, : but he tells them he wrote this Epistle to them wholly with his own hand, that he might thereby more commend his love to them and care over them.
Trapp's Commentary on Galatians 6:11
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. Ver. 11. How large a letter] Gr. with what good great text letters. I have written unto you with mine own hand (no fair hand; the greatest clerks are not always the best scribes), and not by any Tertius, or other amanuensis, Romans 16:22, to show his love, and prevent imposture, 2 Thessalonians 2:2. (Chrysost. Theophylact.)
Ellicott's Commentary on Galatians 6:11
(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.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Galatians 6:11
Verse 11. Ye see how large a letter] There is a strange diversity of opinions concerning the apostle's meaning in this place. Some think he refers to the length of the epistle, others to the largeness of the letters in which this epistle is written, others to the inadequacy of the apostle's writing. It appears plain that most of his epistles were written by an amanuensis, and simply subscribed by himself; but the whole of the Epistle to the Galatians was written by his own hand. To say that the apostle was unskilled in Greek, and especially in the Greek characters, is in my opinion absurd. He was born in Tarsus, a city which, according to Strabo, rivalled both Athens and Alexandria in philosophy, and in arts and sciences; and therefore he could not be ignorant of a tongue which must have been the very means of conveying all this instruction. As to writing it, there was in his time nothing difficult, because the uncial character was that which was alone in use in those days, and this character is as easily made as the capitals in the Roman alphabet, which have been taken from it. I conclude, therefore, that what the apostle says must be understood of the length of the epistle, in all probability the largest he had ever written with his own hand; though several, much larger, have been dictated by him, but they were written by his scribe or amanuensis.
Cambridge Bible on Galatians 6:11
11–18. Autograph postscript and Benediction11. Ye see] Better, imperative, ‘see’.how large a letter] Lit. ‘in how large letters’. Many ancient and most modern expositors take this to refer not to the length of the Epistle—which is certainly not ‘large’ as compared with those to the Romans and Corinthians—but to the nature of the characters employed. It is curious that the exact meaning of this word rendered ‘how large’ should have been so far overlooked as to suggest the explanation, ‘in how rude characters,’ as though the Apostle called attention to his want of skill in writing Greek. This view might have been left unnoticed, but for the distinguished name of Chrysostom, who among others maintains it. A second explanation supposes that St Paul, in calling attention to the large characters which he used, intended to hint at the cause, either general bodily ill-health, or local infirmity, such as weak eyesight. If this latter suggestion be adopted, it will confirm the hypothesis mentioned in the note on ch. Galatians 4:13. But it is on the whole more probable that the largeness of the letters was intended to express the importance of the message to be conveyed.
To those who have studied carefully the character of the great Apostle this view, suggested by the ablest of his early commentators and adopted by the greatest of modern expositors of his Epistles, will commend itself as in keeping with what we know of the man, and as congruous with any just estimate of the scope of the Epistle itself. In the verses which follow St Paul sums up the whole argument of the Epistle, a weighty argument on a cardinal doctrine, gathered up in a summary, weighty and powerful, and emphasised by the very characters in which it was written, ‘Golden words, proportionately transcribed.’But do the words, ‘See in what large letters I write unto you with mine own hand,’ apply to the whole Epistle, or only to this concluding paragraph? It may be admitted that so far as the words employed in this verse are concerned, either alternative may be adopted. Alford is of opinion that ‘on account of the peculiar character of this Epistle, St Paul wrote it all with his own hand,—as he did the Pastoral Epistles,’ and he finds ‘confirmation of this, in the partial resemblance of its style to those Epistles.’ Others with more probability regard the Apostle as having employed an amanuensis thus far, and at this verse to have taken the pen into his own hand. The reasons assigned for this conclusion are drawn from what we know of his practice in other Epistles.
Barnes' Notes on Galatians 6:11
Ye see - This might be rendered see, in the imperative. So Tyndale renders it, “Behold.” But it is more commonly supposed that it should be rendered in the indicative.
Whedon's Commentary on Galatians 6:11
11. Ye see how large a letter I have written—More accurately, Behold ye, in what large letters I wrote to you with my own hand.
Sermons on Galatians 6:11
| Sermon | Description |
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Bible Portraits of Christ 07 Bearing His Brand Mark
by James Booker
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In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Galatians and its three main parts. The first two chapters address the personal aspect of the gospel and Paul's concern for prese |
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What Is a Christian 20 Christian an Ambassador
by James K. Boswell
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In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word and being trustworthy. He urges the audience to remember that their word should be their bond, whether |
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Kiss the Son
by Thomas Watson
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Thomas Watson preaches on the importance of kissing the Son, Jesus Christ, as a sign of adoration, subjection, and love. He emphasizes the futility of opposing Christ, highlighting |