[Bill]

Paul's letter to the Galatians gives instructions regarding the freedom of trust in Christ versus the bondage of works, including the consideration of Jewish promoters imposing the jewish law on Christians. These promoters had apparently had some success in intimidating Christians, even Peter. The legal requirement that was prominent in their effort was circumcision, which Paul informed them was not necessary for the practice of Christianity. The manipulation by the proponents of circumcision as a requirement for Christian living had been causing trouble worthy of judgement (Gal. 5:10) and Paul says in verse 12; "I wish they were even cut off which trouble you." The term "cut off" is used in other places in the Bible as the removal of people from fellowship (excommunication) when referring to people. The NIV along with the NAS, ESV and The Message ignore the established meaning and change this verse to mean sexual mutilation of the type used by Origen (the Textual Critic of Alexandria) to make himself physically androgynous and give himself higher authority than God the Creator so "he?" could revise and edit God's communication. This change makes no sense because the people were being troubled by humans who will be judged, not by an anatomical part, but this change would fit the intent of the Gnostic followers of Origen who believe that the way to improve people is by making them androgynous.
When Origen had his sex organs surgically removed, he was practicing the requirements of the priests of the goddess-worshipping cults. The Church authorities of the time refused to ordain Origen because of his sexually perverted action but contemporary religious leaders consider Origen as a great "Church Father."