Galatians 6:11 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

х Peelikois (G4080) grammasin (G1121)] 'See in how large letters I have written.' The Greek is translated "how great," Hebrews 7:4, the only other New Testament passage where it occurs. Owing to his weakness of eyes (Galatians 4:15), he wrote in large letters. So Jerome All the oldest manuscripts are written in uncial - i:e., capital letters; the cursive, or small letters, being of recent date. Paul seems to have had a difficulty in writing, which led him to make the uncial letters larger than ordinary. By these they would know that he WROTE the whole letter with his own hand; as he did also the pastoral letters, which this letter resembles in style х egrapsa (G1125): contrast graphoo (G1125), 2 Thessalonians 3:17, present, where he refers only to the closing salutation]. He usually dictated his letters to an amanuensis, excepting the concluding salutation, which he wrote himself (Romans 16:22; 1 Corinthians 16:21). This letter he wrote with his own hand, in order that the Galatians may see what a regard he has for them, in contrast to the Judaizing teachers (Galatians 6:12), who sought only their own ease. If the English version be retained, the words, "how large a letter," will not refer to the length of the letter absolutely, but large for him to have written with his own hand. Neander explains so, as more appropriate to the earnestness of the apostle and the tone of the letter: "how large" will thus be for 'how many.' [But grammata (G1121) nowhere else with Paul means "a letter," epistolee (G1992). Grammasin (G1121) egrapsa (G1125) is nowhere so used by him (cf. Luke 23:38; 2 Corinthians 3:7).]

Galatians 6:11

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.