Galatians 5:11 What is it saying about the cross?

[Born_Again]

Someone brought this verse up to me... Im honestly not sure of the context. What do you all think Paul is saying about the cross in this passage:

Galatians 5:11 (ESV)
11 But if I, brothers,[a] still preach[b] circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

I have a few theories, but I am curious what the rest of you think.

BA

 

[StanJ]

In essence Paul was saying he wasn't preaching circumcision because he was being persecuted. Paul did preach the true circumcision was circumcision of the heart not circumcision of the body and that circumcision of the heart resulted in Salvation. However just as many people do today the Jews of his day we're twisting and equivocating about his words and assigning them to a physical context when they were actually showing that the circumcision of the heart towards God was what the New Covenant was all about.

 

[Born_Again]

In essence Paul was saying he wasn't preaching circumcision because he was being persecuted. Paul did preach the true circumcision was circumcision of the heart not circumcision of the body and that circumcision of the heart resulted in Salvation. However just as many people do today the Jews of his day we're twisting and equivocating about his words and assigning them to a physical context when they were actually showing that the circumcision of the heart towards God was what the New Covenant was all about.

" In that case the offense of the cross has been removed."

What about this particular part here, Stan... This is the part im trying to figure out.

 

[StanJ]

" In that case the offense of the cross has been removed."

What about this particular part here, Stan... This is the part im trying to figure out.

Paul is talking about the issues that confronted the Galatians from Judaic converts who were trying to diminish and even took offense to what the cross represented to Judaism. Peter himself told the Jews that they were the ones that murdered Jesus. The offense of the cross in this regard would be just that, the Jews did not want to accept or believe that the sacrifice that Jesus made was able to replace the physical circumcision that was required under the law.

 

[Born_Again]

Paul is talking about the issues that confronted the Galatians from Judaic converts who were trying to diminish and even took offense to what the cross represented to Judaism. Peter himself told the Jews that they were the ones that murdered Jesus. The offense of the cross in this regard would be just that, the Jews did not want to accept or believe that the sacrifice that Jesus made was able to replace the physical circumcision that was required under the law.

Ohhhh okay. I wasn't sure. I can see that.,

 

[Wormwood]

In my estimation (and considering the broader context of Galatians), Paul is confronting the Judiazers who are trying to convince Christians that they cannot be saved apart from observing the law (i.e. circumcision). Paul is saying that if you strive to seek justification through law, you alienate yourself from Christ and grace. If righteousness could be attained by observing the law, Christ died for nothing. Thus, you must either seek righteousness through grace or through law. You cannot do both. Those who seek it through law are obliged to keep the whole law and are cut off from the cross of Christ. Those who seek it through grace must turn from seeking to be approved by the law and rather live by faith in God's grace.

 

[Born_Again]

In my estimation (and considering the broader context of Galatians), Paul is confronting the Judiazers who are trying to convince Christians that they cannot be saved apart from observing the law (i.e. circumcision). Paul is saying that if you strive to seek justification through law, you alienate yourself from Christ and grace. If righteousness could be attained by observing the law, Christ died for nothing. Thus, you must either seek righteousness through grace or through law. You cannot do both. Those who seek it through law are obliged to keep the whole law and are cut off from the cross of Christ. Those who seek it through grace must turn from seeking to be approved by the law and rather live by faith in God's grace.

That was my first interpretation....

 

[StanJ]

In my estimation (and considering the broader context of Galatians), Paul is confronting the Judiazers who are trying to convince Christians that they cannot be saved apart from observing the law (i.e. circumcision). Paul is saying that if you strive to seek justification through law, you alienate yourself from Christ and grace. If righteousness could be attained by observing the law, Christ died for nothing. Thus, you must either seek righteousness through grace or through law. You cannot do both. Those who seek it through law are obliged to keep the whole law and are cut off from the cross of Christ. Those who seek it through grace must turn from seeking to be approved by the law and rather live by faith in God's grace.

By George, I think you've got it!

 

[mjrhealth]

In my estimation (and considering the broader context of Galatians), Paul is confronting the Judiazers who are trying to convince Christians that they cannot be saved apart from observing the law (i.e. circumcision). Paul is saying that if you strive to seek justification through law, you alienate yourself from Christ and grace. If righteousness could be attained by observing the law, Christ died for nothing. Thus, you must either seek righteousness through grace or through law. You cannot do both. Those who seek it through law are obliged to keep the whole law and are cut off from the cross of Christ. Those who seek it through grace must turn from seeking to be approved by the law and rather live by faith in God's grace.

Amen. now if only the rest could see....

 

[Angelina]

In my estimation (and considering the broader context of Galatians), Paul is confronting the Judiazers who are trying to convince Christians that they cannot be saved apart from observing the law (i.e. circumcision). Paul is saying that if you strive to seek justification through law, you alienate yourself from Christ and grace. If righteousness could be attained by observing the law, Christ died for nothing. Thus, you must either seek righteousness through grace or through law. You cannot do both. Those who seek it through law are obliged to keep the whole law and are cut off from the cross of Christ. Those who seek it through grace must turn from seeking to be approved by the law and rather live by faith in God's grace.

Amen! well said WW!