What is the meaning of Galatians 5:11? Now, brothers • Paul opens with familial warmth: “Brothers” (Galatians 5:11). He is appealing to those who share the same faith, echoing his earlier address in Galatians 1:11 and 4:12. • This reminder of shared identity frames the coming correction in love, following the pattern of Acts 15:23–24 where believers are addressed as “brothers” even amid doctrinal tension. if I am still preaching circumcision • Some opponents claimed Paul still promoted circumcision, perhaps pointing to his earlier circumcision of Timothy (Acts 16:1–3). • Paul had already insisted that Titus was not compelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3–5), proving he did not preach circumcision as necessary for salvation. • Philippians 3:2–3 reinforces his stance: “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and place no confidence in the flesh.” why am I still being persecuted? • If Paul were truly preaching circumcision, the Judaizers would not hunt him down. Persecution followed him precisely because he rejected law-keeping as a basis for righteousness (Acts 13:45; 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:24–25). • The question exposes the inconsistency of his critics: their hostility is evidence that Paul’s message opposes their legalism, not supports it. In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. • The “offense” (stumbling block) of the cross is that salvation rests solely on Christ’s atoning death, not on human effort (1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:33). • Adding circumcision would neutralize that offense, making the cross optional and emptying it of power (Galatians 6:12–14). • 1 Peter 2:7–8 affirms that Christ Himself is the stone of stumbling; remove the offense and you remove the gospel’s cutting edge. summary Paul’s family appeal, sharp denial of preaching circumcision, and rhetorical question about persecution prove his uncompromising gospel of grace. Were he advocating circumcision, opposition would evaporate and the scandal of the cross would disappear. Because he proclaims salvation through Christ alone, he endures persecution, and the cross retains its necessary, saving offense. |
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