<p>6:3 <i>For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself</i>- Paul has just warned at the end of chapter 5 about the vainglory which comes from legalistic obedience. The basis of salvation is that we realize that we are &quot;nothing&quot;, and on that basis come to the Lord for justification by grace through faith alone, knowing we have no obedience to show. Even if we have obeyed some points, such as circumcision, if we have not always obeyed the entire law, then we are nothing. Paul applied the term to himself when arguing that although he has &quot;nothing&quot; yet he &quot;possesses all things&quot; (2 Cor. 6:10) - a reference to the promises to Abraham and his seed, and the language he uses in Gal. 4:1 about our inheritance- the heir who has nothing in hand shall possess all things if he associates with the one true Heir, the Lord Jesus.</p>