What did Paul suffer for not backing down from the Judaizers?
Paul suffered daily persecution because he refused to yield to the Judaizers' demand to circumcise Gentile believers and preach law keeping. By standing his ground, he kept the offense of the cross and the truth of the Gospel intact for the Gentiles. Later he endured persecution under the heavy hand of the Roman government.
Les explains that Paul's refusal to back down from the Judaizers brought him persecution. The Judaizers from Jerusalem hated and fought Paul mainly because he would not give in to circumcising Gentile believers. Paul says that if he 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. Les notes that all Paul had to do for an easy role was succumb to the pressure and say he would preach circumcision and law keeping. God would not have been satisfied, but the world would have been, and the Church would have died a natural death while Satan gloated. But Paul never backed off and never gave in. He stood his ground so the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Gentiles. As a result, he suffered persecution every day of his life, and later it came under the heavy hand of the Roman government.