Incidentally, my first lecture will be on circumcision, and my starting question is why it is OK for Paul to mock it in the way he does–as if it was a shameful thing? I think he has some good reason for what he is doing. In the process I noticed something I hadn’t before in Galatians 6.11-17:

A. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised,

B. and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
…
B’ From now on let no one cause me trouble,

A’ for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.