“And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased.”– Galatians 5:11 (KJV)
“Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised, as some say I do, why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.”– Galatians 5:11 (NLT)
“You know, if I were still preaching that you had to get circumcised, no one would be offended. I wouldn’t have an enemy in the world. But I still preach this — that the cross only brings offense. So if I could just give it up, I would.”– Galatians 5:11 (MSG)
What Does Galatians 5:11 Mean?
In Galatians 5:11, the Apostle Paul speaks directly to the Galatians regarding a pressing issue among them: the matter of circumcision and the overall message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul highlights that if he were to preach circumcision, he would not face persecution. The tension arises because some believers in Galatia were being persuaded by false teachers who argued that following the Jewish laws, including circumcision, was necessary for salvation.
This verse stands out as it underscores the central theme of salvation through grace. Paul is alarmed that the believers in Galatia are so easily turned from the gospel he preached, which was purely about faith in Christ. He emphasizes that if adherence to the law and rituals such as circumcision was the way to salvation, then it would nullify the very essence of the cross and its offense. The cross represents a scandal; it contradicts human expectations of how we earn favor with God. It demands that we lean on faith rather than our merits.
Galatians 5:11 Explanation and Commentary
The early Christian community was grappling with the integration of Jewish traditions and the new gospel of Christ. The pressure to conform to Jewish customs, especially among Gentile converts, created a rift in the understanding of faith. For Paul, the message of Christ was radical. He bowled over cultural norms by emphasizing faith over law and grace over works.
When he refers to the “offense of the cross,” he means that the idea of being saved through a crucified Messiah is scandalous. To the Jews, a crucified man was a cursed one, and to the Gentiles, it seemed foolishness. Paul faced grave opposition as he preached this message, and it led to misunderstanding and persecution. The churches in Galatia were at risk of surrendering the freedom that comes with faith for a notion that they could gain merit through laws and rituals.
When Paul states, “if I preach circumcision,” he signifies that returning to the law signifies abandoning the core of the Christian message. The danger lies in a diluted understanding of grace. If we believe we can contribute to our salvation through any effort, it overlooks the sacrificial love of Jesus. It is important for us to remember that we are saved not by our works but through faith in Christ alone. This changes how we live, not in fear of failing to meet a standard but with gratitude for what Christ has accomplished.
To link this to other passages, Romans 3:28 states that we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. This affirmation aligns perfectly with Paul’s message to the Galatians that faith means living in the truth of what Christ has done for us. In embracing this truth, we find not just grace but the very heart of the gospel message.
Context of Galatians 5:11
The context of Galatians 5:11 cannot be understood without recognizing the broader conversation Paul is engaged in throughout the book. This letter serves as a powerful declaration of freedom through faith in Jesus Christ and stands against the tide of legalism that threatened to ensnare the early Christians.
Paul wrote this letter to counteract teachings from Judaizers—those who advocated for strict adherence to Jewish law as a necessity for salvation. The Galatians had begun to believe that they needed to practice these laws, including circumcision, to be righteous. This challenged the heart of the gospel that Paul preached, which is one where children of God receive grace through faith, not by adhering to the law.
Paul uses strong language in Galatians to express his concerns. He expresses astonishment that the Galatians are “so quickly” turning away from the gospel of grace. His passionate defense is rooted not in mere ideology but a deep conviction of the love and freedom found in Christ. Paul appeals to their experience of the Holy Spirit, which they received without the law, as evidence that their salvation does not depend on legalistic practice.
Galatians 5:11 serves as a crucial point in this letter. It captures the tension of faith versus works and calls for the church to return to a dependence on Christ’s sacrifice. If we don’t understand what the cross signifies, then our vision of salvation may be skewed, leading us toward a misleading form of faith that lacks the transformative efficiency of God’s grace.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Galatians 5:11
In this verse, we see key phrases that carry significant weight and meaning. The first part expresses Paul’s connection to the persecution he faces: “if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?” This indicates that his message is controversial and not well-received—showing that controversy often accompanies the truth.
The second part, “then is the offense of the cross ceased,” invites us to consider the implications. To understand the crucifixion, we must recognize it goes against what humans would typically assume about success, salvation, or righteousness. The idea that a crucified man could be the Savior was unthinkable and offensive to the sensibilities of the both Jews and Gentiles.
Paul asserts that if he preached circumcision and adherence to the law, then the cross would lose its power. The pain and sacrifice of Christ would be for nothing if we could achieve salvation by fulfilling laws. This confronts our understanding of human effort because we often want to contribute to our salvation—it feels more deserving somehow. But Paul reminds us that this is where we err.
The heart of the matter is simple yet profound: salvation cannot be earned. If we let go of the radical nature of Christ’s love, we don’t just lose the message—we lose the life-changing power that comes with it. The offense of the cross can become an invitation for deep reflection about what it truly means to follow Christ in light of grace.
Lessons to Learn From Galatians 5:11
This verse challenges us to continually evaluate what we believe about our faith and how we express it in life. One key lesson is that we should never reduce the message of the gospel to a mere set of rules and rituals. Christianity is not about ticking boxes but about a relationship with Jesus.
We are invited to embrace the freedom that comes with faith in Christ. In a world full of expectations and pressures, we must remember that our identity rests in Christ, not in how well we adhere to laws. Our faith is not about our ability to execute the law perfectly but our acceptance of God’s grace through Christ’s sacrifice.
Another lesson from this scripture is the cost of following Christ. Paul’s experience teaches us that living out our faith authentically may attract criticism or pushback. However, we should be prepared for this. If we find ourselves facing no opposition, we might need to ask whether we are fully engaging with the radical truth of the gospel. Being a Christian is not a safe space; it can challenge our norms and values deeply.
Lastly, we are reminded of the centrality of the cross in our faith. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built. We should treasure its significance in our lives and ensure that our expression of faith reflects its power. Let’s gather as fellow believers in unity, encouraging one another to lean deeply into grace and to live as living testimonies of the love revealed through Christ’s sacrifice. Finding joy and peace rooted in this truth is profoundly transformative.
Final Thoughts
Galatians 5:11 is more than a verse; it is a call to return to the roots of our faith. As we pore through its meaning, we realize that Paul seeks not just to rebuke the issue of circumcision but to restore the true understanding of grace that empowers and transforms lives.
This message of living by faith instead of by works is universal and timeless. It offers freedom from the chains of legalism and the burdens of unrealistic expectations. We can lean on Christ, who invites us to enter a relationship that brings life and joy beyond human understanding. Let’s hold tightly to this message, and let it shape every aspect of our lives.
As we explore further the beautiful message of Christ, we encourage you to look into other topics like Faith, Hope, Love or dive deeper into the story of David and Jonathan. Each offers insights that can enrich our journey together as we live out our faith in Christ.