5:12

emasculate themselves: Or “castrate themselves; become (make themselves) eunuchs.” Lit., “cut themselves off.” Paul’s strong, even sarcastic, language is not meant to be taken literally. Paul uses hyperbole when he wishes that advocates of circumcision make themselves physical eunuchs. (See Glossary, “Eunuch.”) By doing so, they would disqualify themselves from performing the very Law that they were promoting. (De 23:1) Additionally, some commentators feel that Paul alludes to castration rites of some pagan worshippers, putting those who insisted on circumcision on the same level as such idolaters.