But Paul reiterated that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone and branded the Judaizers as “dogs” and “men who do evil.” In particular, the legalists were insisting that the new believers in Christ should continue to be circumcised according to the requirements of the Old Covenant (Genesis 17:10-12; Leviticus 12:3). In this way, they attempted to please God by their own efforts and elevate themselves above the Gentile Christians who did not participate in the ritual. Paul explained that those who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb were no longer to perform the ritual that symbolized the need for a clean heart.
Lakini Paulo alirudia kwamba wokovu ni kwa imani pekee katika Kristo peke yake na kuwapa Wayahudi jina baya kama "mbwa" na "watu watendao maovu." Hasa, washika sheria walikuwa wakisisitiza kwamba waumini wapya katika Kristo wanapaswa kuendelea kutahiriwa kulingana na mahitaji ya Agano la Kale (Mwanzo 17: 10-12; Walawi 12: 3). Kwa njia hii, walijaribu kumpendeza Mungu kwa juhudi zao wenyewe na kujiinua wenyewe juu Wakristo wa Mataifa ambao hawakuwa wanashiriki katika kaida za dini/taratibu ya ibada. Paulo alieleza kwamba wale ambao walikuwa wamesafishwa kwa damu ya mwana-kondoo hawakupaswa tena kufanya kaida za dini ambazo ziliashiria haja ya moyo safi.