To conclude may be expressed in some languages as “These are my final words,” or “The last I have to say is this.”

In this verse Paul exhorts the Galatians not to give him any more trouble (literally, “henceforth, let no man trouble me”), giving as his reason “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Revised Standard Version). The metaphor probably refers to the practice of branding slaves with the mark or name of their master. To Paul, the “marks of Jesus” are distinguishing marks which show undeniably that he is a slave of Jesus Christ. While it is possible to understand this in a spiritual sense, the better and more probable interpretation is that Paul has in mind the scars, the marks of suffering and affliction, which he carries on his body as a result of his obedience to his Lord.

Let no one give me any more trouble must not be understood as suggesting permission; rather, it is a command that no one should cause Paul any more difficulty. This may be expressed in some languages as “no one must give me any more trouble.” In some languages this must be introduced by a command, for example, “I command that no one give me any more trouble,” or “… cause me to suffer further.”

In some languages the scars I have on my body must be rendered as “the scars on my skin,” “the results of the wounds I have had,” or “my healed wounds.”

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 .