'Simply' in the Bible

they simply kept hearing: “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.”

It is evident, too, that no one can find acceptance with God simply by obeying the Law, because "the righteous shall live by faith,"

These people who want to impress others by their external appearance are trying to force you to be circumcised, simply to avoid being persecuted for the cross of the Messiah.

Why, not even those who are circumcised obey the Law! They simply want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your external appearance.