3:1
Some seem to think that this verse forms a natural end to the previous section, not resuming until somewhere in the early part of chapter 4, and so see 3:2 onwards to about 4:2 (or 3 or 4) as an interjection, possibly another piece of writing being added in. Quite frankly these ideas are garbage. First of all there is no manuscript evidence for it. Moreover, there is a natural lead on to what follows in 3:2 onwards. Paul is concerned that they have the right attitude, having just emphasised humility. But this is not to be a “miserable humility”, but a joyful humility. They are to rejoice in the Lord. Paul then says that he is happy to write to them about things he has told them before, and he does this as a safeguard. So the warnings against Judaisers are a natural follow on.
3:2
Galatians is the primary letter that warns about Judaisers, about adding the Law on to the gospel. There is also material in Romans, and some lesser warnings elsewhere. Paul is quite clearly talking about Judaisers here, and their demands for circumcision, and he does so in no uncertain terms. We need to ensure that we understand the term “dogs” correctly. To us it is just a derogatory insult, but the Jews used it of Gentiles, of people outside the covenant. So Paul is saying that the Judaisers are outside the covenant. Galatians gives the full argument on this. “Mutilators of the flesh”, their demand for circumcision far from being a call to greater holiness, is a mutilation of God’s creation. We should note that Paul is quite happy for Jews to be circumcised, it is the demand for Gentile believers to be circumcised that is the issue.
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