1._Now I say_. Whoever made the division into chapters has improperly separated this paragraph from the preceding, as it is nothing else than the concluding section, ( ἐπεξεργασία,) in which Paul explains and illustrates the difference that exists between us and the ancient people. He does so by int... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Under the elements of the world. Elements _may either mean, literally, outward and bodily things, or, metaphorically, rudiments. I prefer the latter interpretation. But why does he say that those things which had a spiritual signification were _of the world _? We did not, he says, enjoy the truth... [ Continue Reading ]
4._When the fullness of the time was come_. He proceeds with the comparison which he had adduced, and applies to his purpose the expression which has already occurred, “the time appointed by the Father,” — but still shewing that the time which had been ordained by the providence of God was proper an... [ Continue Reading ]
5._That we might receive the adoption_. The fathers, under the Old Testament, were certain of their adoption, but did not so fully as yet enjoy their privilege. _Adoption_, like the phrase, “the redemption of our body,” (Romans 8:23,) is here put for actual possession. As, at the last day, we receiv... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And because ye are sons_. The adoption which he had mentioned, is proved to belong to the Galatians by the following argument. This adoption must have preceded the testimony of adoption given by the Holy Spirit; but the effect is the sign of the cause. In venturing, he says, to call God your Fath... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Wherefore thou art no more a servant_. In the Christian Church slavery no longer exists, but the condition of the children is free. In what respect the fathers under the law were slaves, we have already inquired; for their freedom was not yet revealed, but was hidden under the coverings and yoke... [ Continue Reading ]
8._But when ye as yet knew not God. _This is not intended as an additional argument; and indeed he had already proved his point so fully, that no doubt remained, and the rebuke which was now to be administered could not be evaded. His object is to make their fall appear more criminal, by comparing i... [ Continue Reading ]
9._But now, _(67) _after that ye have known God_. No language can express the base ingratitude of departing from God, when he has once been known. What is it but to forsake, of our own accord, the light, the life, the fountain of all benefits, — “to forsake,” as Jeremiah complains, “the fountain of... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Ye observe days_. He adduces as an instance one description of “elements,” the observance of days. No condemnation is here given to the observance of dates in the arrangements of civil society. The order of nature out of which this arises, is fixed and constant. How are months and years computed... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain_. The expression is harsh, and must have filled the Galatians with alarm; for what hope was left to them, if Paul’s labor had been in vain? Some have expressed astonishment that Paul should be so powerfully affected by the observance of days, as almost... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Be as I am_. Having till now spoken roughly, he begins to adopt a milder strain. The former harshness had been more than justified by the heinousness of the offense; but as he wished to do good, he resolves to adopt a style of conciliation. It is the part of a wise pastor to consider, not what t... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Ye know that, through infirmity of the flesh_. He recalls to their recollection the friendly and respectful manner in which they had received him, and he does so for two reasons. First, to let them know that he loved them, and thus to gain a ready ear to all that he says; and secondly, to encour... [ Continue Reading ]
14._My temptation_. That is, “Though ye perceived me to be, in a worldly point of view, a contemptible person, yet ye did not reject me.” He calls it a _temptation _or trial, because it was a thing not unknown or hidden, and he did not himself attempt to conceal it, as is usually done by ambitious m... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Where is there your blessedness? _Paul had made them happy, and he intimates that the pious affection with which they formerly regarded him was an expression of their happiness. But now, by allowing themselves to be deprived of the services of him to whom they ought to have attributed whatever k... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Am I therefore become your enemy? _He now returns to speak about himself. It was entirely their own fault, he says, that they had changed their minds. Though it is a common remark, that truth begets hatred, yet, except through the malice and wickedness of those who cannot endure to hear it, trut... [ Continue Reading ]
17._They are jealous of you. _He comes at length to the false apostles, and does more by silence to make them odious, than if he had given their names; for we usually abstain from naming those whose very names produce in us dislike and aversion. He mentions the immoderate ambition of those men, and... [ Continue Reading ]
18._But it is good to be the object of jealousy. _It is hard to say whether this refers to himself or to the Galatians. Good ministers are exhorted to cherish holy jealousy in watching over the churches, “that they may present them as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2.) If it refers t... [ Continue Reading ]
19._My little children_. The word _children _is still softer and more affectionate than brethren; and the diminutive,_little children_, is an expression, not of contempt, but of endearment, though, at the same time, it suggests the tender years of those who ought now to have arrived at full age. (He... [ Continue Reading ]
20._I would wish to be present with you now. _This is a most serious expostulation, the complaint of a father so perplexed by the misconduct of his sons, that he looks around him for advice, and knows not to what hand to turn. (70) He wishes to have an opportunity of personally addressing them, beca... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Tell me_. Having given exhortations adapted to touch the feelings, he follows up his former doctrine by an illustration of great beauty. Viewed simply as an argument, it would not be very powerful; but, as a confirmation added to a most satisfactory chain of reasoning, it is not unworthy of atte... [ Continue Reading ]
22._For it is written_. No man who has a choice given him will be so mad as to despise freedom, and prefer slavery. But here the apostle teaches us, that they who are under the law are slaves. Unhappy men! who willingly choose this condition, when God desires to make them free. He gives a representa... [ Continue Reading ]
23._But he who was of the bond woman_. Both were sons of Abraham according to the flesh; but in Isaac there was this peculiarity, that he had the promise of grace. In Ishmael there was nothing besides nature; in Isaac there was the election of God, signified in part by the manner of his birth, which... [ Continue Reading ]
24._These are the two covenants_. I have thought it better to adopt this translation, in order not to lose sight of the beauty of the comparison; for Paul compares the two διαθὢκαι, to two mothers, and to employ _testamentum_, (a testament,) which is a neuter noun, for denoting a mother, would be ha... [ Continue Reading ]
25._For Agar is mount Sinai _(78) I shall not waste time in refuting the expositions of other writers; for Jerome’s conjecture, that Mount Sinai had two names, is trifling; and the disquisitions of Chrysostom about the agreement of the names are equally unworthy of notice. Sinai is called Hagar, (79... [ Continue Reading ]
26._But Jerusalem, which is above_. The Jerusalem which he calls _above_, or heavenly, is not contained in heaven; nor are we to seek for it out of this world; for the Church is spread over the whole world, and is a “stranger and pilgrim on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13.) Why then is it said to be from... [ Continue Reading ]
27._For it is written_. The apostle proves, by a quotation from Isaiah, that the lawful sons of the Church are born according to the promise. The passage is in Isaiah 54:0 where the prophet speaks of the kingdom of Christ and the calling of the Gentiles, and promises to the barren wife and the widow... [ Continue Reading ]
29._As then, he that was born after the flesh_. He denounces the cruelty of the false apostles, who wantonly insulted pious persons that placed all their confidence in Christ. There was abundant need that the uneasiness of the oppressed should be soothed by consolation, and that the cruelty of their... [ Continue Reading ]
30._But what saith the Scripture _? There was some consolation in knowing that we do but share the lot of our father Isaac; but it is a still greater consolation, when he adds, that hypocrites, with all their boasting, can gain nothing more than to be _cast out _of the spiritual family of Abraham; a... [ Continue Reading ]
31._So then, brethren_. He now exhorts the Galatians to prefer the condition of the children of Sarah to that of the children of Hagar; and having reminded them that, by the grace of Christ, they were born to freedom, he desires them to continue in the same condition. If we shall call the Papists, I... [ Continue Reading ]