What does it mean that if you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing?
It means that relying on circumcision—or any fleshly work, ritual, or legalistic effort—as the basis for salvation cancels the benefit of Christ's finished work. If a person depends on something done in the flesh rather than trusting wholly in the cross, then Christ profits that person nothing.
Les teaches that Paul is warning the Galatian believers not to fall victim to legalizers who were making inroads into the congregations Paul had established in Asia Minor. In Galatians 5, Paul says to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage—that is legalism, the law, Judaism. Then Paul says, “Behold, I, Paul, say unto you, that if ye be circumcised... Christ shall profit you nothing.” Les explains that this is talking about salvation: if they depend on something they can do in the flesh for salvation, then Christ profits them nothing. This is not limited to circumcision, because any one thing plus the cross cancels the work of the cross. If a person does anything in the energy of the flesh, Christ shall profit them nothing. Millions of good church members depend on something of the flesh rather than relying totally on the finished work of the cross.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
More Questions
What does 'if ye be circumcised' mean in Galatians 5:2?
In Galatians 5:2, being circumcised means depending on something you can do in the flesh for your salvation.