As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Contrast between his zeal in their behalf (Galatians 6:11) and the zeal for self on the part of the Judaizers.
Make a fair show (2 Corinthians 5:12 ) in the flesh - in outward things.
They - it is 'these who,' etc.
Constrain you - by example (Galatians 6:13) and importuning.
Only lest - `only that they may not,' etc. (cf. Galatians 5:11.)
Suffer persecution. They escaped the Jews' bitterness against Christianity, and the offence of Christ's cross, by making the Mosaic law a necessary preliminary; in fact, making Christian converts into Jewish proselytes.
For the cross - for preaching the doctrine of the cross.