Galatians 5:2

Paul. The apostle places himself on record and speaks with full apostolic authority. To remain silent in this crisis would make him a traitor before Christ, who had entrusted the care of the churches to him (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1, 2). He received his authority from Christ (see on Gal. 1:11, 12), and expects to be recognized as God’s representative, speaking in God’s stead (see on 2 Cor. 5:19, 20). When the occasion demanded it, Paul asserted his authority without fear or boasting (cf. 1 Cor. 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 13:1-4).

If ye be circumcised. It is as if Paul was saying, “You know that I was once a strict Jew, a firm believer in the rites and ceremonies of Judaism” (Acts 26:5). The issue is clear, the situation is critical. Paul considers that firmness is needed to keep some who are on the point of Judaizing, from doing so. He does not mean that one who has accepted circumcision is thereby prevented from becoming a Christian. He himself was circumcised. If some of the Galatians have already accepted circumcision, they can, like him, consider their circumcision to be “uncircumcision” (1 Cor. 7:18-20). But if some are contemplating circumcision in the hope of attaining to a higher experience of righteousness by faith, let them take warning. See on Rom. 4:9-13.

Profit you nothing. The promises of God belong only to those who accept them by faith, not to those who set out to earn them by their own merits. The righteous works of man are without value in the bank of heaven (see Isa. 64:6). Righteousness by works is utterly incompatible with righteousness by faith. What has been earned cannot be received as if it were a gift (Rom. 4:4, 5; 11:6). How insistent Paul is that this fact be recognized. The “works of the law” (see on Rom. 2:12; Gal. 2:16) are altogether unprofitable as a means to salvation (see on Gal. 3:19). For the application of the principle here stated to Christians today see p. 934.