Paul uses the law as a means of exposing the hypocrisy of the Jewish people, which culminates in the final verse of the passage: “Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.” Ultimately, their outward appearance of obidence does not match up with what is truly going on in their lives.

How does hypocrisy play out in our lives? How does a passage like this challenge our day to day lives? Have we foregone promises we have made with God or with others that undermine our Christian convictions?