The address of Paul to Peter, as I suppose, was closed at the last verse of Galatians 2. The apostle in this chapter, in a direct address to the Galatians, pursues the argument on the subject of justification by faith. In the previous chapters he had shown them fully that he had received his views o... [ Continue Reading ]
O FOOLISH GALATIANS - That is, foolish for having yielded to the influence of the false teachers, and for having embraced doctrines that tended to subvert the gospel of the Redeemer. The original word used here (ἀνόητοι anoētoi) denotes void of understanding; and they had shown it in a remarkable... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS ONLY WOULD I LEARN OF YOU - I would ask this of you; retaining still the language of severe reproof. The design here, and in the following verses, is, to prove to them that the views which they had at first embraced were correct, and that the views which they now cherished were false To show th... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE YE SO FOOLISH? - Can it be that you are so unwise? The idea is, that Paul hardly thought it credible that they could have pursued such a course. They had so cordially embraced the gospel when he preached to them, they had given such evidences that they were under its influence, that he regarded... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE YE SUFFERED SO MANY THINGS IN VAIN? - Paul reminds them of what they had endured on account of their attachment to Christianity. He assures them, that if the opinions on account of which they had suffered were false, then their sufferings had been in vain. They were of no use to them - for what... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THEREFORE THAT MINISTERETH ... - This verse contains substantially a repetition of the argument in Galatians 3:2. The argument is, that the gift of the Holy Spirit to them was not imparted in consequence of the observance of the Law of Moses, but in connection with the preaching of the gospel. By... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD ... - see this passage fully explained in the notes at Romans 4:3. The passage is introduced here by the apostle to show that the most eminent of the patriarchs was not saved by the deeds of the Law. He was saved by faith, and this fact showed that it was possible to be... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW YE THEREFORE ... - Learn from this case. It is an inference which follows, that all they who believe are the children of Abraham. THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH - Who believe, and who are justified in this manner. ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM - Abraham was the “father of the faithful.” The most remar... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SCRIPTURE - The word Scripture refers to the Old Testament; see the note at John 5:39. It is here personified, or spoken of as foreseeing. The idea is, that he by whom the scriptures were inspired, foresaw that. It is agreeable, the meaning is, to the account on the subject in the Old Testam... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN THEY WHICH BE OF FAITH - They whose leading characteristic it is that they believe. This was the leading trait in the character of Abraham, and this is the leading thing required of those who embrace the gospel, and in the character of a true Christian. ARE BLESSED WITH FAITHFUL ABRAHAM - I... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW - As many as are seeking to be justified by yielding obedience to the Law - whether the moral law, or the ceremonial law. The proposition is general; and it is designed to show that, from the nature of the case, it is impossible to be justified by the works... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THAT NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED ... - The argument which Paul has been pursuing he proceeds to confirm by an express declaration of the Bible. The argument is this: “It is impossible that a man should be justified by the Law, because God has appointed another way of justification.” But there cannot be... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH - The Law is not a matter of faith; it does not relate to faith; it does not require faith; it deals in other matters, and it pertains to another system than to faith. BUT, THE MAN ... - This is the language of the Law, and this is what the Law teaches. It does not make... [ Continue Reading ]
CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US - The word used here ἐξηγόρασεν exēgorasen is not that which is usually employed in the New Testament to denote redemption. That word is λυτρόω lutroō. The difference between them mainly is, that the word used here more usually relates to a purchase of any kind; the othe... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM - The blessing which Abraham enjoyed, to wit, that of being justified by faith. “Might come on the Gentiles.” As well as on the Jews. Abraham was blessed in this manner before he was circumcised Romans 4:11, and the same blessing might be imparted to others also who were... [ Continue Reading ]
BRETHREN, I SPEAK AFTER THE MANNER OF MEN - I draw an illustration from what actually occurs among people. The illustration is, that when a contract or agreement is made by people involving obligations and promises, no one can add to it or take from it. It will remain as it was originally made. So w... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW TO ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED - To him and his posterity. WERE THE PROMISES MADE - The promise here referred to was that which is recorded in Genesis 22:17. “In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore;... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COVENANT WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD - By God, in his promise to Abraham. It was confirmed before the giving of the Law. The confirmation was the solemn promise which God made to him. IN CHRIST - With respect to the Messiah; a covenant relating to him, and which promised that he should de... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THE INHERITANCE - The inheritance promised to Abraham. The sum of the promise was, that “he should be the heir of the world;” see Romans 4:13, and the note at that verse. To that heirship or inheritance Paul refers here, and says that it was an essential part of it that it was to be in virtue... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE THEN SERVETH THE LAW? - This is obviously an objection which might be urged to the reasoning which the apostle had pursued. It was very obvious to ask, if the principles which he had laid down were correct, of what use was the Law? Why was it given at all? Why were there so many wonderful... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW A MEDIATOR IS NOT A MEDIATOR OF ONE ... - This verse has given great perplexity to commentators. “There is, unquestionably,” says Bloomfield, “no passage in the New Testament that has so much, and to so little purpose, exercised the learning and ingenuity of commentators as the present, which se... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THE LAW THEN AGAINST THE PROMISES OF GOD? - Is the Law of Moses to be regarded as opposed to the promises made to Abraham? Does this follow from any view which can be taken of the subject? The object of the apostle in asking this question is, evidently, to take an opportunity to deny in the most... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE SCRIPTURE - The Old Testament (see the note at John 5:39), containing the Law of Moses. HATH CONCLUDED ALL UNDER SIN - Has “shut up” (συνέκλεισεν sunekleisen) all under the condemnation of sin; that is, has declared all people, no matter what their rank and external character, to be sinners... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BEFORE FAITH CAME - That is, the system of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith here denotes the Christian religion, because faith is its distinguishing characteristic. WE WERE KEPT UNDER THE LAW - We, who were sinners; we, who have violated the Law. It is a general truth, that before th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER - The word rendered schoolmaster (παιδαγωγὸς paidagōgos, whence the word “pedagogue”), referred originally to a slave or freedman, to whose care boys were committed, and who accompanied them to the public schools. The idea here is not that of instructor, but... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AFTER THAT FAITH IS COME - The scheme of salvation by faith. After that is revealed; see the note at Galatians 3:23. WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER - Under the poedagogus, or pedagogue. We are not kept in restraint, and under bondage, and led along to another to receive instruction. We ar... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD ... - All who bear the Christian name - the converts from among the Jews and Gentiles alike; see the note at John 1:12. The idea here is, that they are no longer under tutors and governors; they are no longer subject to the direction and will of the “paedagogus”; t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS MANY OF YOU - Whether by nature Jews or Gentiles. AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST - Or “unto” (εἰς eis) - the same preposition which in Galatians 3:24 is rendered unto) Christ. That is, they were baptized with reference to him, or receiving him as the Saviour; see this explained in the no... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK - All are on a level; all are saved in the same way; all are entitled to the same privileges. There is no favoritism on account of birth, beauty, or blood. All confess that they are sinners; all are saved by the merits of the same Saviour; all are admitted to the same... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF YE BE CHRIST’S - If you belong to the Messiah, and are interested in his work. THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM’S SEED - The promise made to Abraham related to the Messiah. It was a promise that in him all should be blessed. Abraham believed in that Messiah, and was distinguished for his faith in him who... [ Continue Reading ]