_Then fourteen years after_ my conversion: _I went up again to Jerusalem_ This seems to be the journey mentioned Acts 15., several passages here referring to that great council, wherein all the apostles showed that they were of the same judgment with him. From the history which the apostle gives of... [ Continue Reading ]
And _I went up_ Not by any command from the apostles, nor to receive instructions in my work from them; but _by revelation_ From God, directing me to go. The apostle does not say to whom the revelation was made: it might be made to Paul himself, or to some of the prophets then residing at Antioch. B... [ Continue Reading ]
_But neither Titus_, &c. As if he had said, That the apostles, to whom I communicated the doctrine which I preach, acknowledged it to be the true gospel of Christ, is evident from this, that not even _Titus, who was with, me_, though _a Greek_, or converted Gentile, _was compelled to be circumcised_... [ Continue Reading ]
_But of those who seemed to be somewhat_ Who were most esteemed among the apostles; _whatsoever they were_ How eminent soever; _it maketh no matter_ No difference; _to me_ So that I should alter either my doctrine or my practice. _God accepteth no man's person_ For any eminence in gifts or outward p... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when James_ Probably named first because he. was bishop of the church in Jerusalem; and _Cephas_ Speaking of him at Jerusalem, he calls him by his Hebrew name; _and John_ Hence it appears that he also was at the council, though he be not particularly named in the Acts. _Who seemed to be_ Or, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_But_, &c. The argument here comes to the height: Paul reproves Peter himself; so far was he from receiving his doctrine from man, or from being inferior to the chief of the apostles; _when Peter was come to Antioch_ After Barnabas and I were returned thither; _I withstood him to the face_ Or oppose... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I saw that_, in this matter, _they walked not uprightly_ Ουκ ορθοποδουσι, did not walk _with a straight step_, or in a plain and straight path; _according to the truth of the gospel_ That is, according to their own knowledge of the simplicity of the true gospel doctrine; _I said to Peter, befo... [ Continue Reading ]
_We_ St. Paul, to spare St. Peter, drops the first person singular, and speaks in the plural number; Galatians 2:18, he speaks in the first person singular again by a figure, and without a figure, Galatians 2:19, &c. _Who are Jews by nature_ By birth, and not proselytes. As in the first part of his... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if while we seek to be justified by Christ_ Through the merit of his obedience unto death, by simply believing in him, and in the truths and promises of his gospel; _we ourselves are still found sinners_ Continue in sin; if we are still under the guilt and power of sin, in an unpardoned, unrene... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle proceeds in describing how he was freed from the dominion as well as guilt of sin, and how far he was from continuing in the commission of it. _I am crucified with Christ_ To sin, to the world, and all selfish and corrupt desires and designs; my _old man_, my sinful nature, with its affe... [ Continue Reading ]