_Your very reason, and your own experience, should tell you the all-importance of faith_ (Galatians 3:1) Unreasoning Galatians! who hath “overlooked” you? when you had a full counter charm—Jesus Christ displayed in front of you as crucified! (Galatians 3:2-5) I appeal to your own experience. (Galat... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΒΆΣΚΑΝΕΝ אABD*G syrpesh. τῇ� added in Text. Rec. from Galatians 5:7. ΠΡΟΕΓΡΆΦΗ אABC syrpesh. vulg. (best MSS.). ἐν ὑμῖν added in Text. Rec. 1. Ὦ�, Galatians 3:3. The term is suggested by the logical argument of Galatians 2:14-21. The mixture of Judaism with faith in Christ was there shown to be i... [ Continue Reading ]
ΜΑΘΕΙ͂Ν. Luther insists on its strongest meaning, “Go to now, answer me, I pray you, which am your scholar (for ye are so suddenly become Doctors, that ye are my masters and teachers)” (p. 98b). But doubtless the weak sense of “be informed,” Acts 23:27, is right. The tense is punctiliar, “ascertain,... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟὝΤΩΣ (tam Hebrews 12:21). ἀνόητοι (Galatians 3:1). ἐναρξάμενοι, Philippians 1:6[89]. Frequent in LXX. and Polybius. It is a more formal term than ἄρχομαι, “having made a beginning,” cf. 1Ma 9:54. ἐπιτελεῖν is joined with it also in Philippians 1:6, and with προεν. in 2 Corinthians 8:6. Both are nat... [ Continue Reading ]
3–5:12. A CLEAR DOCTRINAL STATEMENT OF SALVATION BY FAITH, WITH RENEWED APPEALS... [ Continue Reading ]
He has spoken of their past experience of spiritual blessings; now he appeals to their past sufferings. ΤΟΣΑΥ͂ΤΑ ἘΠΆΘΕΤΕ. τος., “so many”; cf. 4Ma 16:4 τοσαῦτα καὶ τηλικαῦτα πάθη. The frequency of the persecutions rather than their severity. They came not from the Judaizing Christians (for we have... [ Continue Reading ]
5. Here he appeals to their present experience. For “frequently abstract teaching may be verified by reference to our own spiritual life” (Beet). ΟΥ̓͂Ν. In logical deduction from Galatians 3:2. If the past showed that spiritual blessings came through faith, I argue that the present teaches the same... [ Continue Reading ]
6. This verse serves both as an answer to St Paul’s question in Galatians 3:5—yes, it was by faith—and also as a transition to the next important paragraph showing the same truth from Scripture. Marcion omitted Galatians 3:6-9 (see Jerome here) in accordance with his opposition to the Old Testament.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΓΙΝΏΣΚΕΤΕ ἌΡΑ, “ye perceive then.” γιν., almost certainly indicative, for the imperative never occurs in the N.T. with ἄρα, and only once with ἄρα οὖν, 2 Thessalonians 2:15; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:6.They could perceive the following truth of the all-importance of faith, and their consequent relation... [ Continue Reading ]
_Faith makes sons of Abraham and brings the blessing promised in him_ (Galatians 3:7) Ye perceive then that they who draw their spiritual life from faith—these and these only are sons of Abraham. (Galatians 3:8) But (there is more than sonship-blessing) the scripture, seeing beforehand that it is o... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΡΟΪΔΟΥ͂ΣΑ ΔῈ. “The exact force of δέ, which is never _simply_ connective, and never loses _all_ shades of its true oppositive character, deserves almost more attentive consideration in these Epp. than any other particle, and will often be found to supply the only true clue to the sequence and evolu... [ Continue Reading ]
ὬΣΤΕ, “so that,” i.e. since Abraham was justified by faith (Galatians 3:6), and those who are of faith are his sons (Galatians 3:7), and the blessings promised to the Gentiles come to them in him (Galatians 3:8). This thought is fully developed in Romans 4. ΟἹ ἘΚ ΠΊΣΤΕΩΣ (Galatians 3:7 note) ΕΥ̓ΛΟΓΟ... [ Continue Reading ]
10. So far is it from all nations sharing with Abraham in blessing by the deeds of the Law, that they themselves who are under the Law are under a curse. Thus to obtain the blessing through the Law is impossible to human nature (see Theodore). ὍΣΟΙ (Galatians 3:27; Galatians 6:12; Galatians 6:16; Ro... [ Continue Reading ]
10–14. _Works, regarded as a source of life, bring a curse, faith the blessing and the Spirit_ (Galatians 3:10) (It is only faith that brings the blessing) for as many as draw their religious life from works of the Law are actually under a curse. For it stands written “cursed is every one (however r... [ Continue Reading ]
ὍΤΙ ΔῈ. Adversative to the possibility of continuing in the things of the Law. The opposite is shown by the existence of another source of justification and consequent life, stated in Habakkuk. Weiss suggests that this begins the protasis of a sentence of which the apodosis is Galatians 3:13; Galati... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΔῈ ΝΌΜΟΣ. In contrast to the effect of faith just mentioned. ΟΥ̓Κ ἜΣΤΙΝ ἘΚ ΠΊΣΤΕΩΣ. The Law has not faith, as the fundamental principle, or basis, of its existence. The phrase is even stronger than Theodoret’s words imply: ὁ νόμος οὐ πίστιν ζητεῖ, ἀλλὰ πρᾶξιν�, καὶ τοῖς φυλάττονσιν τὴν ζωὴν ἐπαγγ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΧΡΙΣΤῸΣ. The absence of a connecting particle emphasises the greatness of this glad contrast (Colossians 2:20 note). Cf. Titus 3:4-7. Probably “Christ” here has its full meaning of “Messiah,” if, as it seems, St Paul is thinking of Jews. ἩΜΑ͂Σ. This also by its position has a secondary emphasis. He... [ Continue Reading ]
ἸΗΣΟΥ͂ ΧΡΙΣΤΩ͂Ι. W. H. margin gives Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. ΤῊΝ ἘΠΑΓΓΕΛΊΑΝ. D*G Marcion Ambrosiaster read τὴν εὐλογίαν, which Zahn prefers. 14. ἽΝΑ. The redemption of the Jews was in order that the blessing of and in Abraham might also come on the Gentiles. For if Jews, Abraham’s seed, remained under the cu... [ Continue Reading ]
15–18. _The relation of the promise to the Law; the latter cannot hinder the former_ “Having shown that faith is older than the Law, he teaches again that the Law cannot become a hindrance to the divine promises” (Theodoret). (Galatians 3:15) Brethren, I use human imagery—terms understood by all—and... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΔΕΛΦΟΊ. Galatians 1:11 note. λάβωμεν (Galatians 3:14) has suggested a common relationship to Christ. ΚΑΤᾺ ἌΝΘΡΩΠΟΝ (Galatians 1:11) ΛΈΓΩ. Romans 3:5[99], which guides us to the right meaning here: I am applying human arguments as though I were speaking of the relation of man to man, although I am w... [ Continue Reading ]
ὍΣ. ὅ is read by Dgr*Fgr**, _quod_ Irenint. Tert. Ambrosiaster Aug. οὗ Fgr*G. 16. The verse shows (_a_) the antiquity of the διαθήκη; it was given to Abraham: (_b_) its character; it consisted of promises: (_c_) the truths underlying its form; (α) it was not limited to Abraham personally but extend... [ Continue Reading ]
ὙΠῸ ΤΟΥ͂ ΘΕΟΥ͂. Text. Rec. adds εἰς Χριστὸν with DGKL syrr. 17. ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ ΔῈ ΛΈΓΩ. Now what I mean, by using the figure in Galatians 3:15. ΔΙΑΘΉΚΗΝ. St Paul here distinctly passes from the general notion of διαθήκη (Galatians 3:15 note) to the special, i.e. to God’s great disposition to Abraham. ΠΡΟΚ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἸ ΓᾺΡ ἘΚ ΝΌΜΟΥ κ.τ.λ. I say καταργ. τ. ἐπαγ. _for_ the Law and the promise are so fundamentally different in their nature that if the inheritance promised in the διαθήκη after all springs from the Law (or perhaps “from law”), it no longer springs from promise. The anarthrous ἐπαγγελίας (contrast Ga... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΑΡΑΒΆΣΕΩΝ ΧΆΡΙΝ. A curious text is given in G Irenint. Ambrosiaster by omitting χάριν and reading πράξεων: Quid ergo lex factorum? disposita per angelos in manu mediatoris posita est usque dum veniat etc. 19. ΤΊ ΟΥ̓͂Ν Ὁ ΝΌΜΟΣ; If the Law does not modify the disposition, i.e. the Promise, what ther... [ Continue Reading ]
19–22. _The true place and purpose of the Law. It was subordinate to the promise, and preparatory, by developing the sense of sin_ (Galatians 3:19) (If the inheritance is by the Promise, not by the Law) What in that case is the essential character of the Law? It was added for the sake of the transgr... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΔῈ ΜΕΣΊΤΗΣ, “but a mediator.” The article is generic, or, perhaps better, recalls the mediator just mentioned: cf. Galatians 3:23; Galatians 3:25. ΔΈ, adversative, probably to the thought that a mediator is in itself good, or possibly to the Jewish glorification of Moses as mediator. ἙΝῸΣ ΟΥ̓Κ Ἔ... [ Continue Reading ]
21. [ΤΟΥ͂ ΘΕΟΥ͂] omitted by B. ἘΝ ΝΌΜΩΙ B Cyrador 54. ἐκ νόμου (W. H. margin) appears to be read by all other authorities. If ἐκ νόμου be genuine ἐν νόμῳ may be due to the similar passage in Galatians 3:11; if ἐν νόμῳ then ἐκ νόμου may be due to the nearer phrase in Galatians 3:18. The position of... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΛΛᾺ. In contradiction to the hypothesis in Galatians 3:21 b, the statement of Scripture is otherwise. ΣΥΝΈΚΛΕΙΣΕΝ. Galatians 3:23; Romans 11:32; Luke 5:6[109]. For its metaphorical use in the LXX. see Psalms 30 (31):9, 77 (78):50, 62. The preposition refers not to the things enclosed, i.e. “togeth... [ Continue Reading ]
ΣΥΝΚΛΕΙΌΜΕΝΟΙ אABD*G. συγκεκλεισμένοι Text. Rec. CDcKL. 23. ΠΡῸ ΤΟΥ͂ ΔῈ ἘΛΘΕΙ͂Ν ΤῊΝ ΠΊΣΤΙΝ. Galatians 3:22 suggests to St Paul that he should (Galatians 3:23-24) dwell on the temporary and preparative character of the Law, a point which he touched upon in Galatians 3:19 ἄχρις ἂν ἔλθῃ κ.τ.λ. τὴν π.... [ Continue Reading ]
23–4:7. _The contrast between our former state of pupillage under the Law, and our present state in Christ, full sonship_ This is brought out under two aspects: I. Galatians 3:23-29. The preparative character of the Law; faith in Christ makes us Abraham’s seed, (_a_) Galatians 3:23-24. We were prot... [ Continue Reading ]
23, 24. _A more positive answer to the question of v._19. _The Law was distinctly preparative_ (Galatians 3:23) We Jews were protected—the Law leaving us no room to escape from its power—that we should at last be brought into the faith that was about to be revealed. (Galatians 3:24) So that the Law... [ Continue Reading ]
24. A change of metaphor from protection by a guard to a “tutor,” i.e. here the beneficent action of the Law is more directly indicated. In all probability too we should place a full stop at the end of this verse, joining Galatians 3:25 closely with the following verses. On the other hand the though... [ Continue Reading ]
25. To he joined with the following, not the preceding, verses. St Paul is always practical. He will, if possible, wean the Galatians from the error of going back to the Law, and he here begins to state their privileges in Christ. ἘΛΘΟΎΣΗΣ ΔῈ ΤΗ͂Σ ΠΊΣΤΕΩΣ. The article is resumptive as in Galatians... [ Continue Reading ]
25–29. See note at Galatians 3:23 (Galatians 3:25) But when that faith came—we believers are no longer under a paedagogue. (Galatians 3:26) For all (not Jews only) of you are sons of God (with full privileges) by means of your faith in Messiah who has come, I mean Jesus. (Galatians 3:27) I say “all,... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΆΝΤΕΣ ΓᾺΡ κ.τ.λ. It has been thought that Galatians 3:26-29 are an appeal to the experience of the Galatians; having, as they have found, all these privileges, they surely cannot be any more under the Law. But it is questionable whether this does not assume too much experimental religion on the par... [ Continue Reading ]
In Galatians 3:27-28 St Paul shows how they obtained their sonship (Theodoret). ὍΣΟΙ, epexegetic of πάντες. ΓᾺΡ, beginning to prove the truth of the whole statement in Galatians 3:26. ΕἸΣ ΧΡΙΣΤῸΝ ἘΒΑΠΤΊΣΘΗΤΕ. Cf. Colossians 2:12. For βαπτίζομαι εἰς a person, see Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 10:2. Cf.... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἿΣ ἘΣΤῈ ἘΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΩ͂Ι ἸΗΣΟΥ͂ אBCD syrHarcl. ἔν ἐστὲ ἐν Χ. Ἰ. G 17 only. ἐστὲ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ א*A (cf. Galatians 3:29) though א* originally had an ἐν before Χ. Ἰ. 28. ΟΥ̓Κ ἜΝΙ, “there cannot be,” see Hort on James 1:17, p. 30. St Paul mentions differences of nation, social standing, and sex. ἸΟΝΔΑΙ͂ΟΣ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἸ ΔῈ ὙΜΕΙ͂Σ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂. A few “western” authorities assimilate these words to the form of Galatians 3:28. 29. ΕἸ ΔῈ ὙΜΕΙ͂Σ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂. Observe the emphasis on ὑμεῖς. If ye, ye Galatians, Gentiles though you are, are Christ’s, then etc. If you belong to Christ, as surely you do after the close relation... [ Continue Reading ]