In Paul’s argument, circumcision represents a desire to be made righteous in God’s sight by your own obedience to the law.1 As a result, those who get circumcised must be ready to keep the whole law perfectly otherwise they stand condemned (Romans 2:25; Galatians 3:10; James 2:10).2 Flawless obedience however is impossible for sinful man (Romans 3:10–20).
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.