Bearing the Brand-Marks of Jesus

Galatians 6:17-18 NASB
17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Who has been causing trouble for Paul? (Galatians 1:6-7; Gal. 2:4-5, 12-14; Gal. 5:1-4, 7-12; Gal. 6:12-13)
What would make it possible for this trouble to cease? (Gal. 1:6; Gal. 3:1-7, 26-29; Gal. 5:1, 13-14, 16, 24-25; Gal. 6:8, 16)
What has Paul gone through physically and emotionally in order to bring the gospel message to the Galatians? (Gal. 1:11-24; Gal. 2:1-14; Gal. 4:8-20; Gal. 5:10-12; Gal. 6:11)

What did Paul mean by "brand-marks"? In the KJV, the word used is "mark." When I looked it up in Strong's, the number corresponding to this word was G4742. Looking that up, I found that the Greek word Paul had used was "stigma," meaning "a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service."

How can we recognize Paul as a true follower of Jesus? (Gal. 1:1, 10-24; Gal. 2:1-9, 20; Gal. 6:17)
What does Paul pray that his brethren might have? (Notice Galatians 1:3.)
Will that be possible if the Galatians don't listen to Paul and stand firm in their faith?

If you have time today or this week, read 2 Corinthians 11-13 and compare what Paul says in these chapters to what he's told the Galatians in this letter.

Are the brand-marks of Jesus evident in our lives?
What would we endure to ensure that others would not only hear, but also live, the gospel of Christ?

Our current study of Galatians is finished.
May its message remain in our hearts, shared with our mouths and lived out in our lives! Amen.