Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Ver. 1. _If a man be overtaken_] Gr. προληφθη, be taken before he is aware, before he hath time to consider, or bethink himself of bette... [ Continue Reading ]
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Ver. 2. _Bear ye one another's burdens_] When after reprehension sin is become a burden, set to your shoulder, and help to lift it off. "Support the weak, be patient toward all," 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Nature hath taught the deer to hel... [ Continue Reading ]
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Ver. 3. _Think himself to be something_] The self-deceiver takes his counter, and sets it up for a thousand pound, as the Pharisees and Laodiceans. Of such it may be said, as Quintilian somewhere of some overweene... [ Continue Reading ]
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Ver. 4. _But let every man prove_] This is an excellent remedy against self-deceit, and a means to make one fit to reprove others with mercy and meekness. _ And then shall he have rejoicing... [ Continue Reading ]
For every man shall bear his own burden. Ver. 5. _For every man shall bear_] Be thorough therefore in the work of self-examination. Sparing a little pains at first, doubles it in the end; as he who will not cast up his books, his books wilt cast up him at length. The misery of most men is, that the... [ Continue Reading ]
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Ver. 6. _Communicate unto him_] Not sharing as an alms, but sharing as a right; seePhilemon 1:17; as wages for his work, Mark 6:8; as pay for his pains,1 Corinthians 9:14. _See Trapp on "_ 1Co 9:14 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Ver. 7. _Be not deceived_] Think not all well saved that is withheld from the minister. It is a saying in the civil law, _Clericis Laici sunt oppido infensi; _ many think it neither sin nor pity to beguile the... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Ver. 8. _For he that soweth to his flesh_] He that neglecting his poor soul, cares only to feather his nest and to heap up riches. _Si ventri bene, si late... [ Continue Reading ]
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Ver. 9. _And let us not be weary_] Let us not give in as tired jades, εκκακωμεν; hot at hand seldom holds out. Let us not slack our pace in religion, let not our tears begin to freeze; for this, if it doth not... [ Continue Reading ]
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all _men_, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Ver. 10. _As we have therefore opportunity_] Catch at it, as the echo catcheth the voice. Joseph took the nick of time to gain Egypt to the king, by feeding the hungry; so may we... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. Ver. 11. _How large a letter_] Gr. with what good great text letters. I have written unto you with mine own hand (no fair hand; the greatest clerks are not always the best scribes), and not by any Tertius, or other amanuensis, Ro... [ Continue Reading ]
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. Ver. 12. _To make a fair show_] Gr. ευπροσωπησαι, to set a good face on it, before the Jews especially, and to ingratiate with them. _ For the... [ Continue Reading ]
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. Ver. 13. _Keep the law_] Romans 2:23. Jerome doubteth not to pronounce that man accursed, that saith it is impossible to keep the law. _Sed quid visum sit Hieronymo,... [ Continue Reading ]
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Ver. 14. _But God forbid, &c._] The saints keep a constant counter motion, and are antipodes _a_ to the wicked. They thus and thus, but I otherwise. _ Where... [ Continue Reading ]
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Ver. 15. _For in Christ Jesus_] That is, in the kingdom of Christ. _ But a new creature_] Either a new man, or no man.... [ Continue Reading ]
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace _be_ on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Ver. 16. _According to this rule_] viz. Of the new creature. Or the doctrine of this Epistle. _ Peace be on them_] Not only in them, or with them, but "on them," maugre the malice of earth and he... [ Continue Reading ]
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Ver. 17. _From henceforth let no man_] Here he takes upon him as an apostle, and speaks with authority, Σεμνως και δεινως . _ I bear in my body the marks_] As scars of honour. Paul had been whipped, stocked,... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ _be_ with your spirit. Amen. _To the_ Galatians written from Rome. Ver. 18. _Be with your spirit_] Spirituals are specially to be desired for ourselves and ours. _Caetera aut aderunt, aut non oberunt._ Other things we shall either have, or not want, but... [ Continue Reading ]