Galatians 5:1-4 (NASB) It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Note: Circumcision was not the means by which Abraham and his descendents entered into a covenant relationship with God nor the means by which they committed themselves to the Old Covenant or Mosaic Law. Circumcision was not the covenant, but a “token” or “sign” of the covenant relationship that already existed between God and Abraham (Gen. 17:11; cf. Rom. 4:9-11). The mere sign or token could not take the place of a real commitment that a person gave to obeying the covenant and all of its laws.