What happens to the offense of the cross if preaching against the law stops?
According to Paul, if preaching against legalism and the Law stops, the offense of the cross is brought to an end. The persecution and opposition cease because the message no longer confronts law-keeping and circumcision. Paul would have had clear sailing, but God would not have been satisfied.
Les explains that Paul's adversaries, the Judaizers from Jerusalem, opposed and persecuted him mainly because he refused to circumcise Gentile believers. If Paul had preached circumcision and law keeping, he would have had clear sailing—no opposition and no persecution. But if he stopped preaching against legalism and the Law, the offense of the cross would be brought to an end. All Paul had to do was yield to the pressure and say he would preach circumcision and law keeping, and the world would have been satisfied, though God would not. The Church would have died a natural death and Satan would have gloated, but Paul never backed off. He stood his ground, as in Galatians 2, so the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Gentiles, and he suffered persecution daily, later under Roman government.
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.