I withstood, etc... The fault that is here noted in the conduct of St.
Peter, was only a certain imprudence, in withdrawing himself from the table of the Gentiles, for fear of giving offence to the Jewish converts; but this, in such circ.u.mstances, when his so doing might be of ill consequence to the Gentiles, who might be induced thereby to think themselves obliged to conform to the Jewish way of living, to the prejudice of their Christian liberty. Neither was St. Paul"s reprehending him any argument against his supremacy; for in such cases an inferior may, and sometimes ought, with respect, to admonish his superior.
2:12. For before that some came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circ.u.mcision.
2:13. And to his dissimulation the rest of the Jews consented: so that Barnabas also was led by them into that dissimulation.
2:14. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly unto the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles and not as the Jews do, how dost thou compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
2:15. We by nature are Jews: and not of the Gentiles, sinners.
2:16. But knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
2:17. But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ then the minister of sin? G.o.d forbid!
2:18. For if I build up again the things which I have destroyed, I make myself a prevaricator.
2:19. For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to G.o.d; with Christ I am nailed to the cross.
2:20. And I live, now not I: but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of G.o.d, who loved me and delivered himself for me.
2:21. I cast not away the grace of G.o.d. For if justice be by the law, then Christ died in vain.
Galatians Chapter 3
The Spirit, and the blessing promised to Abraham cometh not by the law, but by faith.
3:1. O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you?
3:2. This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?
3:3. Are you so foolish that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh?
3:4. Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain.
3:5. He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles among you: doth he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of the faith?
3:6. As it is written: Abraham believed G.o.d: and it was reputed to him unto justice.
3:7. Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
3:8. And the scripture, foreseeing that G.o.d justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed.
3:9. Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.
3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
3:11. But that in the law no man is justified with G.o.d, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith.
3:12. But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall live in them.
3:13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree).
3:14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
3:15. Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man"s testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it.
3:16. To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ.
3:17. Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by G.o.d, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect.
3:18. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise.
But G.o.d gave it to Abraham by promise.
3:19. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Because of transgressions... To restrain them from sin, by fear and threats. Ordained by angels... The law was delivered by angels, speaking in the name and person of G.o.d to Moses, who was the mediator, on this occasion, between G.o.d and the people.
3:20. Now a mediator is not of one: but G.o.d is one.
3:21. Was the law then against the promises of G.o.d: G.o.d forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law.
3:22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.
Hath concluded all under sin... that is, hath declared all to be under sin, from which they could not be delivered but by faith in Jesus Christ, the promised seed.
3:23. But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed.
3:24. Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ: that we might be justified by faith.
Pedagogue... That is, schoolmaster, conductor, or instructor.
3:25. But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.
3:26. For you are all the children of G.o.d, by faith in Christ Jesus.
3:27. For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ.
3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Neither Jew, etc... That is, no distinction of Jew, etc.
3:29. And if you be Christ"s, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.
Galatians Chapter 4
Christ has freed us from the servitude of the law. We are the freeborn sons of Abraham.
4:1. As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all,