en_tn_lite_do_not_use/gal/06/12.md

make a good impression

"cause others to think well of them" or "cause others to think that they are good people"

in the flesh

"with visible evidence" or "by their own efforts"

to compel

"to force" or "to strongly influence"

only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ

"so that the Jews will not persecute them for claiming that the cross of Christ alone is what saves people"

the cross

The cross here represents what Christ did for us when he died on the cross. Alternate translation: "the work Jesus did on the cross" or "the death and resurrection of Jesus" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy)