The same form of address with which Paul began the epistle (ch. 1:2). He esteems their fellowship, fully confident that they will accept his counsel (see on ch. 5:10). The fact that nothing further is heard of trouble in Galatia over the subject of Judaizing is silent testimony to the success of his present appeal to them.
Throughout the epistle Paul has stressed the fact that salvation comes only through grace, that it never can be earned by works. There is no other way to be at peace with God. It is more than a passive attribute of God, it is divine love and kindness in action. Paul thus concludes his appeal to the churches of Galatia, whose members he loves and for whom he feels solicitous concern. May they turn from meaningless external ceremonies, whatever they be, and accept the redemption that comes through faith in Jesus Christ!
The postscript following v. 18 appears in no early manuscript, and was not a part of the original, inspired record. There is general agreement that this epistle was written from Corinth during the course of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (see p. 104). Compare on Rom. 16:27; 1 Cor. 16:24; and the superscriptions to certain of the psalms (see Vol. III, p. 615).