Galatians Chapter 5 · Verse 2
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Original Language Analysis
Ἴδε
G1492
Ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 12
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
3 of 12
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
λέγω
say
G3004
λέγω
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 12
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
7 of 12
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
περιτέμνησθε
ye be circumcised
G4059
περιτέμνησθε
ye be circumcised
Strong's:
G4059
Word #:
8 of 12
to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise
Cross References
Galatians 5:6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.Acts 15:1And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.Hebrews 4:2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.Galatians 5:11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Historical Context
This wasn't general prohibition of circumcision—Paul had Timothy circumcised for missionary expedience (Acts 16:3). But Timothy's circumcision wasn't for righteousness, just cultural accommodation. The Galatians contemplated circumcision believing it necessary for full covenant membership and God's acceptance. Paul declares: do that and Christ is worthless to you. You've chosen law over grace, works over faith. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) had settled this, but Judaizers continued agitating. Paul won't compromise: the gospel's exclusive sufficiency isn't negotiable.
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary equivalents to circumcision do Christians add to faith in Christ, making His work insufficient?
- How do you recognize when you've shifted from trusting Christ alone to Christ plus something else?
- Why is any addition to Christ's finished work actually subtraction, making Him profit nothing?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. Paul's most shocking declaration. "Behold" (ide, ἴδε)—look, pay attention! "I Paul say unto you" (egō Paulos legō hymin)—emphatic first-person: I myself, Paul, personally declare. He stakes his apostolic authority on this statement. "If ye be circumcised" (ean peritemnēsthe)—conditional: if you undergo circumcision (as the Judaizers demand for righteousness).
"Christ shall profit you nothing" (Christos hymas ouden ōphelēsei, Χριστὸς ὑμᾶς οὐδὲν ὠφελήσει)—Christ will benefit you not at all. The future tense is emphatic. Circumcision undertaken as necessary for salvation or righteousness makes Christ's work useless, null and void. Why? Because it operates on a different principle: law-works versus faith-grace. To add circumcision to Christ is to say Christ's work was insufficient. It's either Christ alone or Christ plus nothing; any addition is subtraction. "Christ profit you nothing" doesn't mean loss of salvation but that trusting in circumcision means you never truly trusted Christ alone. This is Paul's line in the sand.