Galatians 6:13

οἱ περιτεμνόμενοι אACDKP vulg. syrr. οἱ περιτετμημένοι B(G)L Westcott and Hort marg.

13. οὐδὲ γὰρ. I attribute this unworthy reason of fear to them, for etc.

οἱ περιτεμνόμενοι. See notes on Textual Criticism. Passive, and timeless, “the circumcision party”; for the full force of the present is excluded by the fact that these evidently have themselves been circumcised. They are apparently the same as those of Galatians 6:12 (and therefore Jewish Christians), the οὐδἐ referring to the whole clause, not to οἱ περιτ. only.

αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν. νόμον is probably the Law of Moses; see Galatians 2:16 note. Why do they not keep it? (a) Because of their distance from Jerusalem (Theodoret)? But St Paul’s words imply blame, which then would hardly be credible, (b) Because no one can keep it, as they have themselves acknowledged by believing on Christ? But then St Paul would surely blame them directly for their inconsistency, (c) Because to keep the Law externally is not to keep it fully; it must be kept spiritually (Galatians 6:14)? But even this is to read too much into the words, (d) The simplest explanation is that they do not really try to keep it; their actions show insincerity (Lightfoot).

ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτἑμνεσθαι, “But they wish you to be circumcised,” cf. Galatians 6:12.

ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ. ὑμετ. emphatic; because thus you are proved to be their disciples. They will boast “We have won Gentiles to acknowledge the binding character of the Law of Moses.”

καυχήσωνται. Contrast not only the next verse but also Philippians 3:3-4. It is probable that few Jews of ancient or modern times would fail to pardon Jewish Christians their faith on Jesus if they also brought Gentile Christians to circumcision.