William Kelly

"Beware of dogs." It is not likely that he would speak of the sheep thus, but the vigilant eye of this under-shepherd had detected those creeping in whose worldly-mindedness made it too evident that they were "enemies of the cross of Christ," although they might be extremely zealous of religion. "Beware of evil workers, beware of the concision" — a play upon the word "circumcision." We know how the idolatrous priests cut themselves with knives and lances (1 Kings 18:28), and this may refer to that practice. It is astonishing how far the flesh may go in its religious energy, entirely opposed to the mind of God.