What does it mean to be crucified to the world (Galatians 6:14)?
What does it mean to be crucified to the world (Galatians 6:14)?
Answer
Galatians 6:14 is part of the apostle Paul’s concluding remarks to the churches in Galatia. Throughout the letter, Paul addresses the conflict between legalism—adherence to Jewish laws such as circumcision as a means of righteousness—and the freedom found in Christ. He emphasizes that salvation comes not through righteous works but through grace and faith in Jesus Christ. Against this backdrop, Paul finishes with this declaration, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation” (Galatians 6:14–15).
To be crucified to the world refers to a spiritual condition where the believer’s connection to worldly desires and values is severed. In other words, Paul is saying, “Because of [the] cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died” (Galatians 6:14, NLT). This concept of spiritual detachment from the world is closely tied to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which Paul sees as the central focus of his message and ministry and the only thing worth boasting about.
Paul had many earthly achievements he could brag about (see 2 Corinthians 12:2–4; Galatians 1:13–14; Philippians 3:4–6), but after He came to know Jesus, none of them mattered anymore. While Paul had once thought these accomplishments valuable, he now considers them “garbage” compared to knowing Christ and experiencing salvation through His death on the cross (see Philippians 3:7–11). He was utterly captivated by Christ.
In Paul’s metaphor, the “world” ( kosmos in the original Greek) refers not to the physical earth but to the “world system,” that is, worldly affairs, human praise, distinguished positions, reputation, wealth, and any other seemingly appealing desires or pursuits that are part of the world’s system of values and contrary to God’s kingdom. In Paul’s view, the cross of Christ represents a radical rejection of the world, breaking the believer’s link to it. When we say “yes” to Jesus, we say “no” to the world.
Christianity is a two-way severance package: the world is crucified to the believer, and the believer is crucified to the world. This reciprocal process emphasizes complete detachment. The world no longer influences or shapes our values, desires, or identity, and we no longer seek validation or fulfillment within the world’s systems. Our entire worth and identity are in God’s work of salvation in Jesus Christ. The cross of Christ becomes our ultimate source of meaning and purpose. We exchange fleeting worldly pursuits for eternal communion with God in Jesus Christ.
Being crucified to the world is an ongoing condition that results in the believer’s total identification with Christ, His death on the cross, and His resurrection life (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). As born-again Christians, we embrace a new identity—one that renounces worldly pursuits such as pride, greed, and self-centered ambition. As kingdom seekers, we recognize that all our accomplishments, possessions, and human endeavors pale in comparison to the mercy, grace, and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ. Nothing we do—no human work of the law such as circumcision—can save us (Romans 3:20, 28; 1 Corinthians 1:28–29; Ephesians 2:8–9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5). Only God’s work through Christ’s death on the cross has redemptive power, and it is all that matters.
To be crucified to the world implies a form of spiritual death. Crucifixion in the ancient world represented the ultimate separation and finality of death. Dying to the world is not a literal death but a symbolic and spiritual one, signifying that our old self has been put to death and replaced by a life dedicated to Christ (Romans 6:11; 8:13; Colossians 3:5; Galatians 5:24; Ephesians 4:22–24). Everything from our former life is now considered dead to us and nailed to the cross. Like Paul, we say, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NLT).
Being crucified to the world has practical implications for daily living. It challenges us to examine our priorities and separate ourselves from anything that conflicts with our commitment to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 6:14—7:1). It does not mean a withdrawal from society; instead, it calls us to engage with worldly people in a way that shares God’s love and truth. We are to live as ambassadors for Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20), not bragging or boasting but representing Him in humility, service, and compassion while remaining distinct and disconnected from the world’s corrupt systems.