A06492:1282
Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians
A commentary of M. Doctor Martin Luther upon the Epistle of S. Paul to the Galatians first collected and gathered word by word out of his preaching, and now out of Latin faithfully translated into English for the unlearned. Wherein is set forth most excellently the glorious riches of Gods grace ...A commentarie of M. Doctor Martin Luther vpon the Epistle of S. Paul to the Galathians first collected and gathered vvord by vvord out of his preaching, and novv out of Latine faithfully translated into English for the vnlearned. Wherein is set forth most excellently the glorious riches of Gods grace ...
London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier dwelling wihtin sic, 1575London: printed by Thomas Vautroullier dvvelling vvihtin sic, 1575
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1The other exposition is affirmative: He that is circumcised, is also bound to keep the whole law. For he that receiveth Moses in one point, must of necessity receive him in all. And it nothing helpeth to say: that circumcision is necessary, and not the rest of Moses laws. For by the same reason that thou art bound to keep circumcision, thou art also bound to keep the whole law. Now, to be bound to keep the whole law, is nothing else but to show in effect, that Christ is not yet come. If this be true, then are we bound to keep all the Jewish ceremonies and laws touching meats, places and times: and Christ must be looked for as yet to come, that he may abolish the Jewish kingdom and priesthood, and set up a new kingdom throughout the whole world. But the whole Scripture witnesseth, and the sequel thereof plainly declareth that Christ is already come, that by his death he hath redeemed mankind, that he hath abolished the law, and that he hath fulfilled all things which all the Prophets have foretold of him. Therefore the law being clean abolished and quite taken away, he hath given unto us grace and truth. It is not then the law nor the works thereof, but it is Faith in Jesus Christ, that maketh a man righteous.
1The other exposition is affirmatiue: He that is circumcised, is also bound to kepe the whole law. For he that receaueth Moses in one poynt, must of necessitie receaue him in all. And it nothing helpeth to say: that circumcision is necessary, and not the rest of Moises lawes. For by the same reason that thou art bound to keepe circumcision, thou art also bound to kepe the whole lawe. Now, to be bound to kepe the whole lawe, is nothing else but to shew in effecte, that Christe is not yet come. If this be true, then are we bound to kepe all the Iewish ceremonies and lawes touching meates, places and times: and Christe must be looked for as yet to come, that he may abolish the Iewish kingdom and priesthoode, and sette vppe a new kingdom thorowout the whole world. But the whole Scripture witnesseth, and the sequele thereof plainely declareth that Christe is already come, that by his death he hath redemed mankinde, that he hath abolished the lawe, and that he hath fulfilled all things which all the Prophetes haue foretolde of him. Therefore the lawe being cleane abolished and quite taken away, he hath geuen vnto vs grace and truth. It is not then the lawe nor the workes thereof, but it is Faith in Iesus Christe, that maketh a man righteous.