_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:1. WHO HATH BEWITCHED YOU?—Fascinated you, as if overlooked by the evil eye, so that your brain is confused. The Galatians were reputed to possess acute intellects: the apostle marvelled the more at their defection. THAT YE SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH.—Omi... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:6. EVEN AS ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD.—Where justification is there the Spirit is, so that if the former comes by faith the latter must also. Galatians 3:8. PREACHED BEFORE THE GOSPEL UNTO ABRAHAM.—Thus the gospel in its essential germ is older than the law,... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:10. AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE.—This the Scripture itself declares. It utters an anathema against all who fail to fulfil every single ordinance contained in the book of the law (Deuteronomy 27:26). Galatians 3:13. CHRIST H... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:17. THE COVENANT, THAT WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, THE LAW CANNOT DISANNUL.—From the recognised inviolability of a human covenant (Galatians 3:15), the apostle argues the impossibility of violating the divine covenant. The law cannot set aside... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:19. WHEREFORE THEN SERVETH THE LAW?—As it is of no avail for justification, is it either useless or contrary to the covenant of God? IT WAS ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSIONS.—To bring out into clearer view the transgressions of the law; to make men more fu... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:22. THE SCRIPTURE HATH CONCLUDED ALL UNDER SIN.—The written letter was needed so as permanently to convict man of disobedience to God’s command. He is shut up under condemnation as in a prison. Galatians 3:24. THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US UN... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:26. YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD.—No longer children requiring a tutor, but sons emancipated and walking at liberty. Galatians 3:28. YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.—No class privileged above another, as the Jews under the law had been above the Gentil... [ Continue Reading ]