Why did Paul admonish the Galatians in Galatians 5?
Paul warned the Galatian believers not to fall victim to legalizers who were making inroads into the congregations he established in Asia Minor. He urged them to stand fast in Christ's liberty and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage—legalism, law, Judaism—because depending on fleshly works for salvation means Christ profits them nothing.
Les explains that the admonition was again to the Galatian believers, telling them not to fall victim to the legalizers who were making inroads into the congregations Paul had established in Asia Minor. Paul then writes Galatians 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Les identifies that yoke as legalism, the law, and Judaism. In verse 2, Paul says that if they be circumcised—if they depend on something they can do in the flesh for salvation—Christ shall profit them nothing. Les says this shook him up because millions of good people and church members depend on fleshly works rather than relying totally on the finished work of the cross. Any one thing plus the cross cancels the work of the cross, so people must be warned.