Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) Ver. 1. _Who raised him from the dead_] And by the same almighty power causeth dead souls to hear the voice of the Son of God in his ministers and live, John 5:25; Ephesians 1:19 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Ver. 2. _The Churches of Galatia_] They are not unchurched though much corrupted. Uzziah ceased not to be a king when he began to be a leper; the disease of his forehead did not remove his crown.... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace _be_ to you and peace from God the Father, and _from_ our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 3. _Grace be, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Rom 1:7 _"_ This Epistle to the Galatians is an epitome of that to the Romans. Peter Martyr observeth that Paul deals more mildly in that Epistle to the Romans than in this t... [ Continue Reading ]
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: Ver. 4. _From this present evil world_] Bewitched wherewith the Galatians were relapsed from Christ. A subtle and sly enemy it is surely, and hath cast down many wounde... [ Continue Reading ]
To whom _be_ glory for ever and ever. Amen. Ver. 5. _To whom be glory_] The benefit of our redemption should make us lift up many a humble, joyful, and thankful heart to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Ver. 6. _That ye are so soon_] Giddy headed hearers have _religionem ephemeram, _ are whirred about with every wind of doctrine, being constant only in their inconstancy, as Ecebolus, Balduin... [ Continue Reading ]
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Ver. 7. _There be some_] That would fain have blended Pharisaism and Christianity, Acts 15:5 . _ That trouble you_] ταρασσοντες. As camels with their feet trouble the waters they should drink of. _ A... [ Continue Reading ]
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Ver. 8. _Or an angel_] Not an evil angel (as Ambrose understands it), but a good angel, per impossibile, as John 8:55 . _ Than that which we, &c._] Or besides th... [ Continue Reading ]
As we said before, so say I now again, If any _man_ preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Ver. 9. _Than that ye have_] Of the camel it is said, that he will never carry any more weight than what at first is laid upon him; nor go one foot beyond his ordina... [ Continue Reading ]
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Ver. 10. _For do I now persuade men_] That is, men's doctrines and devices. _ Or do I seek to please men_] _Ut_ κοινοφιλης, _qui ab omnibus gratiam inire cupit, quem quid... [ Continue Reading ]
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. Ver. 11. _Is not after, man_] This he often inculcateth, because the false apostles had buzzed such a thing into their ears to disparage his ministry.... [ Continue Reading ]
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught _it_, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Ver. 12. _Received it of man_] _i.e._ Of mere man. Jesus Christ is more than a man.... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: Ver. 13. _And wasted it_] επορθουν. As an enemy's country with fire and sword. Mars is styled πτολιπορθος. (Homer.)... [ Continue Reading ]
And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Ver. 14. _Above many mine equals_] Porphyry said it was great pity such a man as Paul was ever cast away upon the Christian religion. The monarch of Morocco to... [ Continue Reading ]
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called _me_ by his grace, Ver. 15. _Who separated me from, &c._] How knew he this, but by the event? Whosoever is lawfully called to the ministry may conceive that he also was sanctified thereunto from the womb, and should therefo... [ Continue Reading ]
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Ver. 16. _To reveal his Son in me_] Not only as in an object (wherein the power and grace of Christ might shine and appear), but as by an instrument of revealing and preaching Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Ver. 17. _But I went into Arabia_] Of this journey Luke maketh no mention in the Acts. Into these tents of Kedar came St Paul, and made them, by his preaching, comely as t... [ Continue Reading ]
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. Ver. 18. _To see Peter_] Not by way of idle visit, but thoroughly to observe the history of his Christian practice for godly imitation. _a_ _Historiae sunt fidae monitrices._ Histor is a faithful warning.... [ Continue Reading ]
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Ver. 19. _But other of the apostles_] These were busily attending upon their particular charges and offices, according to Romans 12:7 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Ver. 20. _Behold, before God, I lie not_] This he solemnly sweareth for their satisfaction. An oath may be lawfully taken to help the truth in necessity, and not otherwise. Hence the Hebrew word _Nishbang_ is a passive, and signi... [ Continue Reading ]
Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; Ver. 21. _Afterwards I came_] He kept, likewise, a diary of his travels, and was able to give a good account of his daily courses. It is not to be doubted, but that our Saviour's disciples kept a register of his holy oracles and miracles, out... [ Continue Reading ]
And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: Ver. 22. _And was unknown_] So far was Paul from learning aught of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. Ver. 23. _Now preacheth the faith_] A marvellous conversion. I was an obstinate Papist (saith Latimer of himself) as any was in England. Insomuch that when I should be made bachelor o... [ Continue Reading ]
And they glorified God in me. Ver. 24. _And they glorified God_] "Whoso offereth praise, he glorifieth me," Psalms 50:23. God accounts himself as it were to receive a new being, by those inward conceptions of his glory, and by those outward honours that we do to him.... [ Continue Reading ]