Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Galatians 6:12

12. Contrast between his zeal in their behalf, implied in Ga 6:11, and the zeal for self on the part of the Judaizers.

make a fair show--(2Co 5:12).

in the flesh--in outward things.

they--it is "these" who

constrain you--by example (Ga 6:13) and importuning.

only lest--"only that they may not," &c. (compare Ga 5:11).

suffer persecution--They escaped in a great degree the Jews' bitterness against Christianity and the offense of the cross of Christ, by making the Mosaic law a necessary preliminary; in fact, making Christian converts into Jewish proselytes.