Galatians 3:1

CHAPTER III.

The apostle inquires how they could be so foolish as to

renounce the Gospel of Christ and turn back to the law, after

having heard, received, and suffered so much for the Gospel,

1-5.

Asserts the doctrine of justification by faith, on the example

of Abraham, 6-9.

Shows that all who are under the law are under the curse, from

which Christ alone redeems us; and the promise made to Abraham

comes to the Gentiles who believe, 10-14.

For the covenant is not by the works of the law, but by promise,

15-18.

The law was given to show the sinfulness of sin, and to act as a

schoolmaster till Christ should come, 19-25.

It is by faith only that any become children of God, 26.

And under the Gospel, all those distinctions which subsisted

under the law are done away; and genuine believers, whether

Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, are one in Christ Jesus, and

accounted the genuine children of Abraham, 27-29.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse Galatians 3:1. O foolish Galatians] O infatuated people; you make as little use of reason as those who have none; you have acted in this business as those do who are fascinated-they are led blindly and unresistingly on to their own destruction.

That ye should not obey the truth] This clause is wanting in ABD*FG, some others, the Syriac, Erpenian, Coptic, Sahidic, Itala, Vulgate MS., and in the most important of the Greek and Latin fathers. Of the clause Professor White says, Certissime delenda, "It should certainly be expunged."

There are several various readings on this verse, from which it appears that the verse in the best ancient MSS. and versions was read thus: O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you? Before whose eyes Jesus Christ crucified hath been plainly set forth.

Among you?] εν υμιν is wanting in ABC, several others, the Syriac, Erpenian, Coptic, Sahidic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Vulgate MS., one copy of the Itala, and in several of the fathers. The words appear to disturb the sense, and have obliged commentators to have recourse to a sort of technical meaning; viz. "The doctrine of the Gospel had been so fully preached among these people that it might be said Jesus Christ had been crucified among them; so fully had his sufferings been detailed, and the design of them pointed out."