Charles Spurgeon Commentary Galatians 5:11

"But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away." — Galatians 5:11 (ASV)

The offense of the Cross is that it sets up faith as the infinite merit of Christ's atonement, and knocks down all confidence in outward ritual and ceremonies. Paul says that if he had preached the flesh-pleasing doctrines of men, he would not have been persecuted; but the fact that he was persecuted was a proof that he was standing fast in the liberty with which Christ had made him free.