What did Paul say happens to his gospel if you add circumcision as part of salvation?
Paul declared that if circumcision is practiced as part of salvation, his Gospel—that Christ died and rose from the dead—will profit you nothing. Christ shall profit you nothing, because making a Jewish rite a requirement causes the Gospel to be of no benefit.
Les explains that in Galatians 5, Paul addresses the legalism the Galatian believers were being subjected to, where circumcision was the main point of Judaism and the crowning teaching. Paul says if they practice Jewish circumcision as part of salvation, his Gospel—that Christ died and rose from the dead—will profit them nothing, and Christ shall profit them nothing. Les emphasizes that this principle is not limited to circumcision; anything a person does claiming it inherits salvation—such as requiring speaking in tongues—falls under the same warning. Circumcision is not the main point today, but other things can lead people astray.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
What did Paul mean when he wrote that if you are circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing?
Paul meant that if circumcision or any human work is added as necessary for salvation, Christ's work becomes of no profit. The gospel is grace through faith plus nothing. Adding anything man can do to merit salvation cancels the cross, because Christ's death and resurrection already did everything a holy God could demand.
Is circumcision still the legalism issue Christians face today?
No, circumcision is not the legalism issue Christians face today. While it was the main point in Galatia, other things now lead people astray. Any human work—such as speaking in tongues—that is claimed as necessary for salvation falls under the same principle.
More Questions
What does Paul mean that if you are circumcised Christ profits you nothing?
If a person is circumcised as a requirement for salvation, Christ profits them nothing — the gospel of Christ's death and resurrection does them no good.
What are other works besides circumcision that people trust for salvation?
You should not limit Paul's warning to circumcision; anything a man or woman does while claiming that by doing it they somehow inherit salvation falls under the same warning.
Does Paul's warning about circumcision apply to any work done to merit salvation?
When Paul warns about circumcision in Galatians 5:2, any human work done to merit salvation can be put in that place; if you do that, Christ will profit you nothing.
Is circumcision the main thing that leads people into legalism today?
Circumcision was the big point of legalism then, but circumcision is not the point today that leads people astray; today there are other things.