Les Feldick Bible Study

Who is Galatians 5:2 talking to today?

Galatians 5:2 speaks today to millions of people, including good church members who would not miss a Sunday morning service, yet are depending on something of the flesh they have done for salvation rather than relying totally on the finished work of the cross. It warns that any flesh-work added to the cross cancels Christ's profit.

Les explains that Paul's admonition in Galatians 5 was first directed to the Galatian believers, warning them not to fall victim to legalizers making inroads into the congregations Paul established in Asia Minor. After quoting Galatians 5:1—'Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage'—which he identifies as legalism, the law, Judaism, Les moves to verse 2. He says when he first saw this some 15-20 years ago, it shook him up, because he could understand there are millions of people this verse is talking to. Paul says, 'Behold, I, Paul, say unto you, that if ye be circumcised...' and Les notes he's talking about salvation. If they depend on something they can do in the flesh for their salvation, then Christ shall profit them nothing. Les says the first time he saw that, it scared him to death. He describes how many millions of good people, church members who wouldn't dream of missing a Sunday morning service, are depending on something of the flesh they have done rather than relying totally on the finished work of the cross. This is any one thing plus the cross; it cancels the work of the cross. Les insists we have to warn people. Though he says he's not a preacher, not an evangelist, and not there to scare people, he thinks we have to realize what the Word says: if you be circumcised, if you do anything in the energy of the flesh, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Galatians 5:2

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.