King James Bible
"For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh."
Paul exposes the hypocrisy of the Judaizers who demand Gentile circumcision while failing to observe the Torah themselves. This accusation undermines their moral authority and reveals their selective legalism, a common critique Paul levels against those who insist on circumcision for salvation. Despite their own lawbreaking, these false teachers persistently push circumcision on Galatian believers. Their insistence reveals an agenda beyond genuine religious conviction, suggesting external pressure or personal gain motivates their teaching. Paul unveils their true motive: boasting in converts gained through physical circumcision rather than spiritual transformation. The phrase 'glory in your flesh' contrasts sharply with Paul's own boasting in the cross alone, exposing their focus on human achievement and external religious markers.