The Offence of the Cross (Galatians 5:11)

2025-06-19

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. (Galatians 5:11)

What is the offense of the cross? The cross is a torture and execution device. The cross killed Jesus and all that are His. It ended our self-striving to be saved. It ended all self-effort and every endeavor. It ended all pride, self-worth, and self-esteem. It exposes the shame of everything that we are. It ended all the sin and judgment of it, or rather, is the judgment on sin. The cross ended everything of this life.

People stubbornly cling to the things of this life. They want prestige and self-aggrandizement and accolades for all their performance. The cross takes that away.

The people in those days thought they needed to add circumcision to faith in Christ. They thought that since they had begun in the Spirit, they now had to become perfect by the flesh. Ritual and performance now could improve their spiritual standing, they thought. No, rather the goal of all spirituality is the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything that is left of us is identified with Him.