The closing verse of this section is a benediction addressed to those who follow this rule, that is, those who obey Paul’s injunctions in the last two verses.

The word translated rule (from which we get the word “canon”) is literally “cane,” “reed,” or “measuring rod,” but the term is also used in reference to a carpenter’s measuring tape. Paul probably uses it in the sense of “rule” or “principle.” The technical meaning “rule of faith” or “canon” arose much later.

The Greek term translated follow may also be rendered as “walk” (see comments on 5.25). Other ways of rendering it are “live by” (Phillips) and “take this principle for their guide” (New English Bible). Those who follow this rule may accordingly be translated as “those who live according to this principle,” “… according to this way of seeing things,” or even “… in accordance with what I have just said.”

In this benediction, Paul uses two theological terms, peace and mercy. For peace, see the comments on 1.3. Here it probably refers to eschatological salvation. Mercy is perhaps to be interpreted as God’s kindness or good will. May peace and mercy be with them is a type of wish or prayer, and it may be necessary in some languages to introduce it as a benediction based upon what God will do on behalf of the people. Therefore one may translate as “may God grant them peace and mercy,” “may God cause them to have peace and be kind to them,” or “I pray that God will….”

The expression translated all of God’s people is literally “the Israel of God.” Some take the position that this refers to the faithful remnant in Israel who are seeking an alternative to the Law. If this is the case, then one may see a chiastic construction in the verse, with peace referring to those who follow this rule, and mercy to “the Israel of God.” Mercy would then be interpreted more as clemency than as kindness. But such an interpretation is very unlikely.

Most interpreters understand “the Israel of God” as Good News Translation does, namely, that it is another term for the Christian church. To Paul the church is the new Israel, related to God, not through physical descent, but by faith. This is made clear in many translations (Phillips “to all who live by this principle, to the true Israel of God, may there be peace and mercy”; Jerusalem Bible “all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God”).

With them and with all of God’s people may be expressed in some languages as “I pray not only for them but also for all of God’s people,” “I ask this for them as well as for all God’s people,” or “… all the people who belong to God.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .