{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/113/1130008.htm","path":"chr/ecf/113/1130008.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/113/1130008.htm","text":"\u201cO foolish Galatians 73 who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth, crucified?\u201d\nHere he passes to another subject; in the former chapters he had shown himself not to be an Apostle of men, nor by men, nor in want of Apostolic instruction. Now, having established his authority as a teacher, he proceeds to discourse more confidently, and draws a comparison between faith and the Law. At the outset he said, \u201cI marvel that ye are so quickly removing;\u201d (Gal. i. 6.) but here, \u201cO foolish Galatians;\u201d then, his indignation was in its p. 24 birth, but now, after his refutation of the charges against himself, and his proofs, it bursts forth. Let not his calling them \u201cfoolish\u201d surprise you; for it is not a transgression of Christ\u2019s command not to call one\u2019s brother a fool, but rather a strict observance of it. For it is not said simply, \u201cWhosoever shall say to his brother, Thou fool,\u201d (Mat. v. 22.) but, whosoever shall do so, \u201cwithout a cause.\u201d 74 And who more fittingly than they could so be called, who after so great events, adhered to past things, as if nothing else had ever happened? If on this account Paul is to be called a \u201creviler,\u201d Peter may likewise, on account of Annanias and Sapphira, be called a homicide; but as it would be wildness to do so in that case, much more in this. Moreover it is to be considered, that this vehemence is not used at the beginning, but after these evidences and proofs, which, rather than Paul himself, might now be held to administer the rebuke. For after he had shown that they rejected the faith, and made the death of Christ to be without a purpose, he introduces his reproof, which, even as it is, is less severe than they merited. Observe too how soon he stays his arm; for he adds not, Who has seduced you? who has perverted you? who has been sophistical with you? but, \u201cWho hath cast an envious eye on you?\u201d thus tempering his reprimand with somewhat of praise. For it implies that their previous course had excited jealousy, 75 and that the present occurrence arose from the malignity of a demon, whose breath had blasted their prosperous estate.\nAnd when you hear of jealousy in this place, and in the Gospel, of an evil eye, which means the same, you must not suppose that the glance of the eye has any natural power to injure those who look upon it. For the eye, that is, the organ itself, cannot be evil; but Christ in that place means jealousy by the term. To behold, simply, is the function of the eye, but to behold in an evil manner belongs to a mind depraved within. As through this sense the knowledge of visible objects enters the soul, and as jealousy is for the most part generated by wealth, and wealth and sovereignty and pomp are perceived by the eye, therefore he calls the eye evil; not as beholding merely, but as beholding enviously from some moral depravity. Therefore by the words, \u201cWho hath looked enviously on you,\u201d he implies that the persons in question acted, not from concern, not to supply defects, but to mutilate what existed. For envy, far from supplying what is wanting, subtracts from what is complete, and vitiates the whole. And he speaks thus, not as if envy had any power of itself, but meaning, that the teachers of these doctrines did so from envious motives.\nGal. 3.1. \u201cBefore whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth, crucified.\u201d\nYet was He not crucified in Galatia, but at Jerusalem. His reason for saying, \u201camong you,\u201d 76 is to declare the power of faith to see events which are at a distance. He says not, \u201ccrucified,\u201d but, \u201copenly set forth crucified,\u201d signifying that by the eye of faith they saw more distinctly than some who were present as spectators. For many of the latter received no benefit, but the former, who were not eye-witnesses, yet saw it by faith more clearly. These words convey both praise and blame; praise, for their implicit acceptance of the truth; blame, because Him whom they had seen, for their sakes, stripped naked, transfixed, nailed to the cross, spit upon, mocked, fed with vinegar, upbraided by thieves, pierced with a spear; (for all this is implied in the words, \u201copenly set forth, crucified,\u201d) 77 Him had they left, and betaken themselves to the Law, unshamed by any of those sufferings. Here observe how Paul, leaving all mention of heaven, earth, and sea, every where preaches the power of Christ, bearing about as he did, and holding up His cross: for this is the sum of the Divine love toward us.\nGal. 3.2. \u201cThis only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?\u201d\nAs ye do not attend, says he, to long discourses, nor are willing to contemplate the magnitude of this Economy, I am desirous, (seeing your extreme ignorance,) to convince you by concise arguments and a summary method of proof. Before, he had convinced them by what he said to Peter; now, he encounters them entirely with arguments, drawn not from what had occurred elsewhere, but from what had happened among themselves. 78 And his persuasives and proofs are adduced, not merely from what was given them in common with others, but from what was especially conferred on themselves. Therefore he says, \u201cThis only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith.\u201d Ye have received, he says, the Holy Spirit, ye p. 25 have done many mighty works, ye have effected miracles in raising the dead, in cleansing lepers, in prophesying, in speaking with tongues,\u2014did the Law confer this great power upon you? was it not rather Faith, seeing that, before, ye could do no such things? Is it not then the height of madness for these who have received such benefits from Faith, to abandon it, and desert back to the Law which can offer you nothing of the same kind?\nGal. 3.3. \u201cAre ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?\u201d\nHere again he seasonably interposes a rebuke; time, he says, should have brought improvement; but, so far from advancing, ye have even retrograded. Those who start from small beginnings make progress to higher things; ye, who began with the high, have relapsed to the low. Even had your outset been carnal, your advance should have been spiritual, but now, after starting from things spiritual, ye have ended your journey in that which is carnal; for to work miracles is spiritual, but to be circumcised is carnal. And after miracles ye have passed to circumcision, after having apprehended the truth ye have fallen back to types, after gazing on the sun ye seek a candle, after having strong meat ye run for milk. He says, \u201cmade perfect,\u201d 79 which means not \u201cinitiated\u201d merely, but \u201csacrificed,\u201d signifying that their teachers took and slew them like animals, while they resigned themselves to suffer what those teachers pleased. As if some captain, or distinguished man, after a thousand victories and trophies, were to subject himself to infamy as a deserter, and offer his body to be branded at the will of others.\nGal. 3.4. \u201cDid ye suffer so many things in vain? 80 if it be indeed in vain.\u201d\nThis remark is far more piercing than the former, for the remembrance of their miracles would not be so powerful as the exhibition of their contests and endurance of sufferings for Christ\u2019s sake. All that you have endured, says he, these men would strip you of, and would rob you of your crown. Then, lest he should dismay and unnerve, he proceeds not to a formal judgment, but subjoins, \u201cif it be indeed in vain;\u201d if you have but a mind to shake off drowsiness and recover yourselves, he says, it is not in vain. Where then be those who would cut off repentance 81 ? Here were men who had received the Spirit, worked miracles, become confessors, encountered a thousand perils and persecutions for Christ\u2019s sake, and after so many achievements had fallen from grace; nevertheless he says, if ye have the purpose, ye may recover yourselves.\nGal. 3.5. \u201cHe therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?\u201d\nHave ye been vouchsafed, he says, so great a gift, and achieved such wonders, because ye observed the Law, or because ye adhered to Faith? plainly on account of Faith. Seeing that they played this argument to and fro, that apart from the Law, Faith had no force, he proves the contrary, viz., that if the Commandments be added, Faith no longer avails; for Faith then has efficacy when things from the Law are not added to it. \u201cYe who would be justified by the Law, ye are fallen away from grace:\u201d (Gal. v. 4.) This he says later, when his language has grown bolder, employing the vantage-ground by that time gained; meanwhile while gaining it, he argues from their past experience. For it was when ye obeyed Faith, he says, not the Law, that ye received the Spirit and wrought miracles.\nAnd here, as the Law was the subject of discussion, he moots another special point of controversy, and very opportunely and with much cogency introduces a notice of Abraham.\nGal. 3.6. \u201cEven as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.\u201d\nEven the miracles done by themselves, he says, declare the power of Faith, but I shall attempt if you will suffer me to draw my proofs from ancient narratives also. Then, as they made great account of the Patriarch, he brings his example forward, and shows that he too was justified by Faith. 82 And if he who was before grace, was justified by Faith, although plentiful in works, much more we. For what loss was it to him, not being under the Law? None, for his faith sufficed unto righteousness. The Law did not then exist, he says, neither does it now exist, any more than then. In disproving the need of the Law, he introduces one who was justified before the Law, lest an objection should also be made to him; for as then it was p. 26 not yet given, so now, having been given, it was abrogated. And as they made much of their descent from Abraham, and feared lest, abandoning the Law, they should be considered strangers to his kin; Paul removes this fear by turning their argument against themselves, and proves that faith is especially concerned in connecting them with Abraham. He draws out this argument more at length in the Epistle to the Romans; however he urges it also here in, the words,\nGal. 3.7. \u201cKnow therefore, that they which be of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.\u201d\nWhich he proves by ancient testimony thus:\nGal. 3.8. \u201cAnd the Scripture, 83 foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.\u201d\nIf then those were Abraham\u2019s sons, not, who were related to him by blood, but who follow his faith, for this is the meaning of the words, \u201cIn thee all the nations,\u201d it is plain that the heathen are brought into kindred with him.\nHereby too is proved another important point. It perplexed them that the Law was the older, and Faith afterwards. Now he removes this notion by showing that Faith was anterior to the Law; as is evident from Abraham\u2019s case, who was justified before the giving of the Law. He shows too that late events fell out according to prophecy; \u201cThe Scripture,\u201d says he, \u201cforeseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel beforehand unto Abraham.\u201d Attend to this point. He Himself who gave the Law, had decreed, before He gave it, that the heathen should be justified by Faith. And he says not \u201crevealed,\u201d but, \u201cpreached the Gospel,\u201d to signify that the patriarch was in joy at this method of justification, and in great desire for its accomplishment.\nFurther, they were possessed with another apprehension; it was written, \u201cCursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law, to do them.\u201d (Deut. xxvii. 26.) And this he removes, with great skill and prudence, turning their argument against themselves, and showing that those who relinquish the Law are not only not cursed, but blessed; and they who keep it, not only not blessed but cursed. They said that he who kept not the Law was cursed, but he proves that he who kept it was cursed, and he who kept it not, blessed. Again, they said that he who adhered to Faith alone was cursed, but he shows that he who adhered to Faith alone, is blessed. And how does he prove all this? for it is no common thing which we have promised; wherefore it is necessary to give close attention to what follows. He had already shown this, by referring to the words spoken to the Patriarch, \u201cIn thee shall all nations be blessed,\u201d (Gen. xii. 4.) at a time, that is, when Faith existed, not the Law; so he adds by way of conclusion,\nGal. 3.9. \u201cSo then they which be of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.\u201d 84\nThen, that they might not turn round, and object that, true it was Abraham was justified by Faith, for the Law was not then given, but what instance would be found of Faith justifying after the delivery of the Law? he addresses himself to this, and proves more than they required: namely, not only that Faith was justifying, but that the Law brought its adherents under a curse. To be sure of this, listen to the very words of the Apostle.\nGal. 3.10. \u201cFor 85 as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse.\u201d\nThis is what he lays down, before proving it; and what is the proof? it is from the Law itself:\u2014\nGal. 3:10, 11. \u201cFor it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them. Now that no man is justified by the Law is evident.\u201d\nFor all have sinned, and are under the curse. However he does not say this yet, lest he should seem to lay it down of himself, but here again establishes his point by a text which concisely states both points; that no man has fulfilled the Law, (wherefore they are under the curse,) and, that Faith justifies. What then is the text? It is in the book of the prophet Habakkuk, \u201cThe just shall live by faith,\u201d (Hab. ii. 4.) which not only establishes the righteousness that is of Faith, but also that there is no salvation through the Law. As no one, he says, kept the Law, but all were under the curse, on account of transgression, an easy way was provided, that from Faith, which is in itself a strong proof that no man can be justified by the Law. For the prophet says not, \u201cThe just shall live by the Law,\u201d but, \u201cby faith:\u201d\nGal. 3.12. \u201cAnd the Law is not of faith; but He that doeth them shall live in them.\u201d\nFor the Law requires not only Faith but works also, but grace saves and justifies by Faith. (Eph. ii. 8.)\np. 27 You see how he proves that they are under the curse who cleave to the Law, because it is impossible to fulfill it; next, how comes Faith to have this justifying power? for to this doctrine he already stood pledged, and now maintains it with great force of argument. The Law being too weak to lead man to righteousness, an effectual remedy was provided in Faith, which is the means of rendering that possible which was \u201cimpossible by the Law.\u201d (Rom. viii. 3.) Now as the Scripture says, \u201cthe just shall live by faith,\u201d thus repudiating salvation by the Law, and moreover as Abraham was justified by Faith, it is evident that its efficacy is very great. And it is also clear, that he who abides not by the Law is cursed, and that he who keeps to Faith is just. But, you may ask me, how I prove that this curse is not still of force? Abraham lived before the Law, but we, who once were subject to the yoke of bondage, have made ourselves liable to the curse; and who shall release us therefrom? Observe his ready answer to this; his former remark was sufficient; for, if a man be once justified, and has died to the Law and embraced a novel life, how can such a one be subject to the curse? however, this is not enough for him, so he begins with a fresh argument, as follows:\u2014\nGal. 3.13. \u201cChrist redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.\u201d 86\nIn reality, the people were subject to another curse, which says, \u201cCursed is every one that continueth not in the things that are written in the book of the Law.\u201d (Deut. xxvii. 26.) To this curse, I say, people were subject, for no man had continued in, or was a keeper of, the whole Law; but Christ exchanged this curse for the other, \u201cCursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.\u201d As then both he who hanged on a tree, and he who transgresses the Law, is cursed, and as it was necessary for him who is about to relieve from a curse himself to be free from it, but to receive another instead of it, therefore Christ took upon Him such another, and thereby relieved us from the curse. It was like an innocent man\u2019s undertaking to die for another sentenced to death, and so rescuing him from punishment. For Christ took upon Him not the curse of transgression, but the other curse, in order to remove that of others. For, \u201cHe had done no violence neither was any deceit in His mouth.\u201d (Isa. 53:9, 1 Pet. 2:22.) And as by dying He rescued from death those who were dying, so by taking upon Himself the curse, He delivered them from it.\nGal. 3.14. \u201cThat upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham.\u201d\nHow on the Gentiles? It is said, \u201cIn thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed:\u201d (Gen. 22:18, Gen. 26:4.) that is to say, in Christ. If this were said of the Jews, how would it be reasonable that they who were themselves subject to the curse, on account of transgression, should become the authors of a blessing to others? an accursed person cannot impart to others that blessing of which he is himself deprived. Plainly then it all refers to Christ who was the Seed of Abraham, and through whom the Gentiles are blessed. And thus the promise of the Spirit is added, as Paul himself declares, \u201cthat we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.\u201d 87 As the grace of the Spirit could not possibly descend on the graceless and offending, they are first blessed the curse having been removed; then being justified by faith, they draw unto themselves the grace of the Spirit. Thus the Cross removed the curse, Faith brought in righteousness, righteousness drew on the grace of the Spirit.\nGal. 3.15. \u201cBrethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man\u2019s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void or addeth thereto.\u201d\n\u201cTo speak after the manner of men\u201d means to use human examples. 88 Having founded his argument on the Scriptures, on the miracles wrought among themselves, on the sufferings of Christ, and on the Patriarch, he proceeds to common usages; and this he does invariably, in order to sweeten his discourse, and render it more acceptable and intelligible to the duller sort. Thus he argues with the Corinthians, \u201cWho feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof?\u201d (1 Cor. ix. 7.) and again with the Hebrews, \u201cFor a testament is of force where there hath been death; for doth it ever avail while he that made it liveth?\u201d (Heb. ix. 17.) One may find him dwelling with pleasure on such arguments. In the Old Testament God does the same thing in many instances, as, \u201cCan a woman forget her sucking child?\u201d (Isa. xlix. 15.) and again, \u201cShall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou?\u201d (Isa. xlv. 9.) and in Hosea, He represents a husband set at nought by his wife. (Hos. ii. 5, f) This use of human p. 28 examples frequently occurs in types also, as when the prophet takes the girdle, (Jer. xiii. 1-9.) and goes down to the potter\u2019s house (Jer. xviii. 1-6.) The meaning of the present example is, that Faith is more ancient than the Law, which is later and only temporary, and delivered in order to pave the way for Faith. Hence he says, \u201cBrethren, I speak after the manner of men;\u201d above he had called them \u201cfoolish,\u201d now he calls them \u201cbrethren,\u201d at once chiding and encouraging them. \u201cThough it be but a man\u2019s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed.\u201d If a man, says he, makes a covenant, does any one dare to come afterwards and overturn it, or subjoin aught to it? for this is the meaning of \u201cor addeth thereto.\u201d Much less then when God makes a covenant; and with whom did God make a covenant?\nGal. 3.16-18. \u201cNow to Abraham were the promises spoken and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, 89 as of many; but as of One, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 90 Now this I say, A covenant, confirmed before hand by God the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance is of the Law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.\u201d\nThus God made a covenant with Abraham, promising that in his seed the blessing should come upon the heathen; and this blessing the Law cannot turn aside. As this example was not in all respects appropriate to the matter in hand, he introduces it thus, \u201cI speak after the manner of men,\u201d that nothing might be deduced from it derogatory to the majesty of God. But let us go to the bottom of this illustration. It was promised Abraham that by his seed the heathen should be blessed; and his seed according to the flesh is Christ; four hundred and thirty years after came the Law; now, if the Law bestows the blessings even life and righteousness, that promise is annulled. And so while no one annuls a man\u2019s covenant, the covenant of God after four hundred and thirty years is annulled; for if not that covenant but another instead of it bestows what is promised, then is it set aside, which is most unreasonable.\nGal. 3.19. \u201cWhat then is the Law? it was added because of transgressions.\u201d\nThis remark again is not superfluous; observe too how he glances round at every thing, as if he had an hundred eyes. Having exalted Faith, and proved its elder claims, that the Law may not be considered superfluous, he sets right this side of the doctrine also, and proves that the Law was not given without a view, but altogether profitably. \u201cBecause of transgressions;\u201d that is to say, that the Jews might not be let live carelessly, and plunge into the depth of wickedness, 91 but that the Law might be placed upon them as a bridle, guiding, regulating, and checking them from transgressing, if not all, at least some of the commandments. Not slight then was the advantage of the Law; but for how long?\nGal. 3.19. \u201cTill the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made.\u201d\nThis is said of Christ; if then it was given until His advent, why do you protract it beyond its natural period?\nGal. 3.19. \u201cAnd it was ordained through Angels by the hand of a Mediator.\u201d\nHe either calls the priests Angels, or he declares that the Angels themselves ministered to the delivery of the Law. By Mediator here he means Christ, 92 and shows that He was before it, and Himself the Giver of it.\nGal. 3.20. \u201cNow a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.\u201d 93\nWhat can the heretics 94 say to this? for as, according to them, the expression \u201cthe Only True God\u201d excludes the Son from being true God, so here the phrase \u201cGod is One,\u201d excludes Him from being God in any sense. But if, although the Father is called \u201cOne God,\u201d the Son is nevertheless God, it is very plain that though the Father is called \u201cVery God,\u201d the Son is very God likewise. Now a mediator, says he, is between two parties; of whom then is Christ the Mediator? plainly of God and of men. Observe, he says, that Christ also gave the Law; what therefore it was His to give, it is His to annul.\np. 29 Gal. 3.21. \u201cIs the Law then against the promises of God?\u201d\nFor if the blessing is given in the seed of Abraham, but the Law brings in the curse, it must be contrary to the promises. This objection he meets, first, by a protest, in the words,\nGal. 3.21. \u201cGod forbid:\u201d\nGal. 3.21. \u201cFor if there had been a law given which could make alive verily righteousness would have been of the Law.\u201d\nHis meaning is as follows; If we had our hope of life in the Law, and our salvation depended on it, the objection might be valid. But if it save you, by means of Faith, though it brings you under the curse, you suffer nothing from it, gain no harm, in that Faith comes and sets all right. Had the promise been by the Law, you had reasonably feared lest, separating from the Law, you should separate from righteousness, but if it was given in order to shut up all, that is, to convince all and expose their individual sins, far from excluding you from the promises, it now aids you in obtaining them. This is shown by the words,\nGal. 3.22. \u201cHowbeit the scripture 95 hath shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.\u201d\nAs the Jews were not even conscious of their own sins, and in consequence did not even desire remission; the Law was given to probe their wounds, that they might long for a physician. And the word \u201cshut up\u201d means \u201cconvinced\u201d and conviction held them in fear. You see then it is not only not against, but was given for the promises. Had it arrogated to itself the work and the authority, the objection would stand; but if its drift is something else, and it acted for that, how is it against the promises of God? Had the Law not been given, all would have been wrecked upon wickedness, and there would have been no Jews to listen to Christ; but now being given, it has effected two things; it has schooled its followers in a certain degree of virtue, and has pressed on them the knowledge of their own sins. And this especially made them more zealous to seek the Son, for those who disbelieved, disbelieved from having no sense of their own sins, as Paul shows; \u201cFor being ignorant of God\u2019s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.\u201d (Rom. x. 3.)\nGal. 3.23. \u201cBut before faith came, we were kept inward under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.\u201d\nHere he clearly puts forward what I have stated: for the expressions \u201cwe were kept\u201d and \u201cshut up,\u201d signify nothing else than the security given by the commandments of the Law; which like a fortress fenced them round with fear and a life conformable to itself, and so preserved them unto Faith.\nGal. 3.24. \u201cSo that the Law hath been our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.\u201d\nNow the Tutor is not opposed to the Preceptor, but cooperates with him, ridding the youth from all vice, and having all leisure to fit him for receiving instructions from his Preceptor. But when the youth\u2019s habits are formed, then the Tutor leaves him, as Paul says.\nGal. 3:25, 26. \u201cBut now that faith is come which leads to perfect manhood we are no longer under a tutor 96 . For ye are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.\u201d\nThe Law then, as it was our tutor, and we were kept shut up under it, is not the adversary but the fellow-worker of grace; but if when grace is come, it continues to hold us down, it becomes an adversary; for if it confines those who ought to go forward to grace, then it is the destruction of our salvation. If a candle which gave light by night, kept us, when it became day, from the sun, it would not only not benefit, it would injure us; and so doth the Law, if it stands between us and greater benefits. Those then are the greatest traducers of the Law, who still keep it, just as the tutor makes a youth ridiculous, by retaining him with himself, when time calls for his departure. Hence Paul says, \u201cBut after faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.\u201d We are then no longer under a tutor, \u201cfor ye are all sons of God.\u201d Wonderful! see how mighty is the power of Faith, and how he unfolds as he proceeds! Before, he showed that it made them sons of the Patriarch, \u201cKnow therefore,\u201d says he, \u201cthat they which be of faith, the same are sons of Abraham;\u201d now he proves that they are sons of God also, \u201cFor ye are all,\u201d says he, \u201csons of God through faith, which is in Christ Jesus;\u201d by Faith, not by the Law. Then, when he has said this p. 30 great and wonderful thing, he names also the mode of their adoption,\nGal. 3.27. \u201cFor as many of you as were baptized into Christ, did put on Christ.\u201d\nWhy does he not say, \u201cFor as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have been born of God?\u201d for this was what directly went to prove that they were sons;\u2014because he states it in a much more awful point of view; If Christ be the Son of God, and thou hast put on Him, thou who hast the Son within thee, and art fashioned after His pattern, hast been brought into one kindred and nature with Him.\nGal. 3.28. \u201cThere can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female: for ye all are one in Christ Jesus.\u201d\nSee what an insatiable soul! for having said, \u201cWe are all made children of God through Faith,\u201d he does not stop there, but tries to find something more exact, which may serve to convey a still closer oneness with Christ. Having said, \u201cye have put on Christ,\u201d even this does not suffice Him, but by way of penetrating more deeply into this union, he comments on it thus: \u201cYe are all One in Christ Jesus,\u201d that is, ye have all one form and one mould, even Christ\u2019s. What can be more awful than these words! He that was a Greek, or Jew, or bond-man yesterday, carries about with him the form, not of an Angel or Archangel, but of the Lord of all, yea displays in his own person the Christ.\nGal. 3.29. \u201cAnd if ye are Christ\u2019s, then are ye Abraham\u2019s seed, heirs according to promise.\u201d\nHere, you observe, he proves what he had before stated concerning the seed of Abraham,\u2014that to him and to his seed the promises were given. 97\n[\u201cPaul addresses himself again directly to the Galatians with an expression of indignant surprise at their relapse into Judaism and passes from the historical to the doctrinal part of the Epistle, from the apology of his apostolic authority to the defense of his apostolic teaching.\u201d\u2014Schaff in Pop. Com.\u2014G.A.]\n24:74\n[The word \u03b5\u1f30\u03ba\u1fc6, \u2018without a cause,\u2019 occurs in the textus receptus on inferior authority in connection with the words \u2018whosoever shall be angry with his brother\u2019 (without a cause), but no where with the words, \u2018whosoever shall say, Thou fool,\u2019 as Chrys. here connects them.\u2014G.A.]\n24:75\n[\u201cThe word means \u2018to bewitch by words, to enchant,\u2019 and is not to be explained with Chrysostom, \u2018who has envied you?\u2019 that is, your previous happy condition?\u201d\u2014Meyer.\u2014G.A.]\n24:76\n[\u0395\u03bd \u1f51\u03bc\u1fd6\u03bd is spurious, being omitted by Aleph. A. B. C. versions, Fathers, and Rev. Ver. as well as by W. and H.\u2014G.A.]\n24:77\n[\u201cThis signifies the life-like pictorial vivacity and effectiveness of Paul\u2019s preaching of Christ and Him crucified. The Greek verb is used of placarding public notices and proclamations.\u201d\u2014Schaff.\u2014G.A.]\n24:78\n[\u201cSee how effectually he treats the topic from (their own) experience.\u201d\u2014Luther, quoted by Meyer. G.A.]\n25:79\n[This distinction between \u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9 and \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9\u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9 was not in the mind of the Apostle. The contrast with \u1f10\u03bd\u03b1\u03c1\u03be\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, \u2018having begun,\u2019 shows that \u1f10\u03c0 \u03c4\u03b5\u03bb\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5 simply means \u2018are ye made perfect,\u2019 \u201cthe compound involving the idea of bringing to a \u2018complete and perfect\u2019 end.\u201d (Ellicott.) There may be a slight tinge of irony in the compound word.\u2014G.A.]\n25:80\n[\u201cAs we know nothing of persecutions endured by Galatians, it seems preferable to take the word in a neutral sense embracing all spiritual experiences (blessings and benefits as well) of the Galatians. (Comp. Gal. 3:3, 6.)\u201d\u2014Schaff. Lightfoot refers it to the persecutions endured by the Galatians from Jews citing Gal. v. 11; and says \u201cthe \u1f10\u03af \u03b3\u03b5leaves a loophole for doubt which the \u03ba\u03b1\u03af, following, widens.\u201d So Ellicott. Meyer says, \u201cIt refers to everything which the false apostles in their Judaistic zeal had troubled and burdened the Galatians with. The \u03b5\u1f30\u03ba\u1fc6 then means \u201cand all to no profit, all in vain,\u201d if indeed it be only (\u03ba\u03b1\u03af) in vain and not to the positive risk of your Messianic salvation that ye have suffered.\u201d\u2014G.A.]\n25:81\nThe Novatians, who said the revealed covenant of grace did not provide for the case of the lapsed.\n25:82\n[\u201cThe answer, obvious of itself, to the preceding question is \u1f10\u03be \u1f00\u03ba\u03bf\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, \u2018from the hearing of faith,\u2019 and to this Paul subjoins that great religious-historic argument for the righteousness of faith which is presented in the justification of the progenitor of the theocratic people.\u201d\u2014Meyer.\u2014G.A.]\n26:83\n[\u201cThe Scripture personified. The only case in N.T. where the personification of Scripture goes beyond \u03bb\u03ad\u03b3\u03b5\u03b9 or \u03b5\u1f36\u03c0\u03b5\u03bd,\u201d etc.\u2014Lightfoot.\u2014G.A.]\n26:84\n[\u201cAfter having pointed out from Scripture Gal. 3:6, 7, that none other than believers are sons of Abraham, Paul now shows further from Scripture that none other than believers have a share in Abraham\u2019s blessing, i.e., are justified.\u201d\u2014Meyer.\u2014G.A.]\n26:85\n[\u201cHaving shown by positive proof that justification is of faith, he adds the negative argument derived from the impossibility of maintaining its opposite, namely, justification by Law. This negative argument is twofold:\nFirst, it is impossible to fulfill the requirements of the law and nonfulfillment lays us under a curse (Gal. 3.10.); Secondly, supposing the fulfilment possible, still the spirit of the Law is antagonistic to faith, which is elsewhere spoken of as the source of life. (Gal. 3:11, 12.).\u201d\u2014Lightfoot.\u2014G.A.]\n27:86\n[\u201cA parenthetic justification from Deut. xxi. 23. of the startling expression just used. The passage refers to those criminals who, after being stoned, were hung upon a stake, but were not permitted to remain over night lest the holy land should be desecrated. Our Saviour fulfilled the legal curse by hanging dead on the cross. This is one of the strongest passages for the doctrine of a vicarious atonement. The vicarious efficacy lies not so much in the preposition, \u1f51\u03c0\u03ad\u03c1,\u1fbd \u2018for,\u2019 as in the whole sentence.\u201d\u2014Schaff\u2014G.A.]\n27:87\n[\u201cAfter a wondrous chain of arguments * * the apostle comes back to the subject of Gal. 3.2: the gift of the Holy Ghost came through faith in Christ.\u201d\u2014Ellicott.\u2014G.A.]\n27:88\n[\u201cPaul now assumes a milder tone and reasons from the common dealings of men.\u201d\u2014Schaff.\u2014G.A.]\n28:89\n[\u201cA difficulty arises here from the stress which Paul lays on the singular of the word \u2018seed,\u2019 which is a collective noun in Heb. and Greek, and includes the whole posterity. But it is not a question of grammar but of spiritual meaning. The Promise refers to Christ par excellence, and to all those and only those who are truly members of His body, united to Him by a living faith. If all the single descendants of Abraham were meant, the children of Hagar and Keturah and subsequently of Esau and his descendants, would have to be included.\u201d\u2014Schaff.\u2014G.A.]\n28:90\n[\u201cNot as a single individual but as Head of the church which is His body, Eph. 1: 23. The key to the passage is in Gal. 3:28, 29: \u2018Ye are all one in Christ Jesus.\u2019\u201d\u2014Schaff.\u2014G.A.]\n28:91\n[\u201cThis interpretation of Chrysostom must be rejected on lexical grounds. The law was in order to bring sin to light and make it appear in its true character and thus by a knowledge of the disease prepare its cure.\u201d\u2014Ellicott and Schaff.\u2014G.A.]\n28:92\n[\u201cWe may reasonably wonder,\u201d says Ellicott, \u201chow the early expositors (Basil and Theodoret excepted) could have so generally coincided in the perplexing view of Origen that the Mediator here mentioned was Christ. On the contrary it is plain that it was Moses, Deut. v. 5.\u201d\u2014G.A.]\n28:93\n[\u201cThis verse is counted the most difficult passage in the New Testament, and has given rise to about 300 interpretations.\u201d\nThat of Lightfoot seems to satisfy the context, and is thus forcibly put by him: \u201cThe law is of the nature of a contract between two parties. God on the one hand and the Jewish people on the other. It is valid only so long as both parties fulfil the terms of contract. It is therefore contingent and not absolute. Unlike the law the promise is absolute and unconditional. It depends on the sole decree of God. There are not two contracting parties. There is nothing of the nature of a stipulation. The giver is everything and the recipient nothing.\u201d\u2014Com. in loco.\u2014G.A.]\n28:94\nThe heretics refered to are the Anom\u0153ans, who held Arianism in its most developed form, against whom S. Chrysostom has written Homilies. For the particular objection answered in the text, vid. also Basil, in Eunom, iv. p. 294. Athan. Or in Arian, iii. 9. Greg. Naz. Orat. 36, p. 586.\n29:95\n[\u201cThe Law then though differing widely from the promise is not antagonistic to it, does not interfere with it. On the contrary, we might imagine such a law as would justify and give life. This was not the effect of the law of Moses, however; on the contrary (\u1f00\u03bb\u03bb\u1f70) the Scripture (that, namely, about the curse, Gal. 3.10:) testifies that the Law condemned all alike, yet not finally and irrevocably but only as leading the way for the dispensation of faith.\u201d\u2014Lightfoot. Meyer takes a different view of Gal. 3.21: \u201cFor if it had been opposed to the promises, the Law must have been in a position to procure life and if this were so, then would righteousness actually be from the Law, which according to the Scripture cannot be so (Gal. 3.22.)\u201d\u2014G.A.]\n29:96\n[\u201cThe p\u00e6dagogus or tutor, frequently a superior slave, was entrusted with the moral supervision of the child. Thus his office was quite distinct from that of the \u03b4\u03b9\u03b4\u03ac\u03c3\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2; so the word \u201cSchoolmaster\u201d conveys a wrong idea. As well in his inferior rank as in his recognized duty of enforcing discipline, this person was a fit emblem of the Mosaic law. There is a very complete illustration of the use which Paul makes of the metaphor in Plato (Lysis, p, 208 C).\u201d\u2014Lightfoot.\u2014G.A.]\n30:97\n[So Schaff: \u201cGal. 3.16 must here be kept in view where Christ is declared to be the seed of Abraham. Union with Christ constitutes the true spiritual descent from Abraham and secures the inheritance of all the Messianic blessings by promise as against inheritance by law.\u201d Pop. Com. in loc.\u2014G.A.]","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XIII: The Commentary and Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Galatians and Ephesians.: Galatians 3:1","type":"page"}