Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭23b-‭30‬
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

When I think of the Apostle Paul, he went through so much persecution for the cause of Christ. He earned his spiritual stripes, so to speak. He suffered greatly to spread the gospel, sharing it with so many people in far-off lands.

In the parallel verses in II Corinthians, he is combatting “super apostles” who charged money for their preaching and were leading some in the church astray. So he matches up spiritual war wounds. He does not compete with these false teachers based on his oratory skills, good looks, his fancy words, or the amount of the fee he can demand for his preaching. Instead, he compares his sufferings to theirs. Why?

I think it is because of the truth we find here in Romans: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭4‬)

God honors battle-hardened saints who persevere in trials more than people who have all of the outward worldly appearance features of success. And so Paul warns in Galatians, let no one cause him more trouble, because he bears on his body the marks of Christ.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭17‬)

The only real comparison worth making is how we have shared in the sufferings of Christ. When Jesus Christ was here, he suffered under God’s leadership. And he calls us to do the same.

Lord, if I boast, may it be in my weaknesses and my sufferings. Whatever brings you the most glory, Jesus, may it be so.