Bible Strands
Galatians 5:11
Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Galatian believers while confronting agitators who are pressuring them to adopt circumcision. He poses a rhetorical question at a moment when his gospel of grace is under direct attack for causing Jewish opposition.
The words — The Greek term περιτομήν (peritomēn) literally means circumcision, while κηρύσσω (kēryssō) denotes proclaiming or preaching. Paul contrasts his current message of the cross with the circumcision gospel he claims to abandon.
The thread — The persecution Paul faces mirrors the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit described in Galatians 4:29. This same tension appears in 1 Corinthians 1:23, where the crucified Christ is labeled a stumbling block, and in Galatians 6:12, where agitators seek circumcision to avoid similar persecution.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers recognize accepting circumcision as a requirement nullifies the scandal of the cross. It requires a clear choice between relying on ritual obedience or embracing the crucified Christ alone.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
- Galatians 6:12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
- Galatians 4:29 At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.
- Acts 21:21 But they are under the impression that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- 1 Corinthians 15:30 And why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
- Galatians 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
- 1 Peter 2:8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
- Isaiah 8:14 And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.
- Acts 16:3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.