“I would they were even cut off which trouble you.”
As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! — Paul's explosive sarcasm: he wishes the Judaizers ('tarasso' — those stirring up trouble) would 'apokopto' (cut themselves off, emasculate themselves, a wordplay on circumcision), a shocking expression of frustration suggesting they should face the consequences of their own demand.
Church Fathers on Galatians 5:12
“I would that they which unsettle you, would even cut themselves off.” Observe how bitterly he speaks here against their deceivers. At the outset he directed his charge against those who were deceived, and called them foolish, once and again. Now, having sufficiently corrected and instructed them, he turns to their deceivers. And you should remark his wisdom in the manner in which he admonishes and chastens the former as his own children, and as capable of receiving…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!