King James Bible
"And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased."
Paul addresses a false accusation that he still advocates for circumcision as necessary for salvation. This charge likely arose from his circumcision of Timothy (Acts 16:3) or his flexibility with Jewish customs, which opponents twisted to undermine his gospel of grace. Paul's ongoing persecution by Jewish authorities proves he doesn't preach circumcision's necessity—if he did, they would embrace rather than attack him. His suffering validates the consistency of his message that salvation comes through faith alone. The cross is offensive because it declares human works (including circumcision) powerless to save, making all people equally dependent on God's grace. If Paul preached circumcision, he would remove this stumbling block, making the gospel palatable to those who trust in religious performance.