What does Galatians 5:2 mean by 'Christ shall profit you nothing'?
Paul warns that if a person depends on any fleshly work, such as circumcision, to be saved, or adds anything to the cross, then Christ's work profits them nothing. Trusting in human effort cancels the finished work of the cross for salvation.
Les explains that Paul is writing to the Galatian believers who were being influenced by legalizers making inroads into the congregations Paul established in Asia Minor. In Galatians 5:1, Paul tells them to stand fast in the liberty Christ has made them free, and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, which is legalism, the law, and Judaism. Then in verse 2, Paul addresses salvation. If they be circumcised—if they depend on something they can do in the flesh for salvation—then Christ shall profit them nothing. Les says this means any one thing plus the cross cancels it; it cancels the work of the cross. Many good people, even church members who would not miss 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. So the warning is that doing anything in the energy of the flesh makes Christ profit you nothing.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
More Questions
What does Paul mean that if you are circumcised for salvation Christ profits you nothing?
If a person practices circumcision as a requirement for salvation, Christ will profit him nothing.