Galatians 5:11An Understandable Version (2005 edition)But, brothers, if I were still preaching [that a person had] to be circumcised, why am I being persecuted? [Note: Paul’s argument seems to be “I must not be preaching circumcision since I am being persecuted by those who believe in it”]. [If I preached that a person had to be circumcised] then my preaching that Christ died on the cross would not be such an offense [to those who believe in it]. See the chapter |
shouting, “[You] Israelites, help [us]! This man is teaching people everywhere [to be] against our people [i.e., the Jews], the Law of Moses and this place [i.e., the Temple]; and in addition to that he has also brought Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] into the Temple and has [thereby] contaminated this holy place.”
But, just as it was then --- the son born in the ordinary way [i.e., Ishmael] persecuting the one born according to the Holy Spirit’s [leading, i.e., Isaac] --- so it is now [i.e., Jews urging compliance with the requirements of the Law of Moses persecuting those who refuse to return to dependence on that law for salvation. See 3:1-3].