A06492:1431
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.
Verse. 18. If ye be led by the spirit, ye are not under the law.
Verse. 18. If ye be led by the spirite, ye are not vnder the lavve.
Paul cannot forget his doctrine of Faith, but still repeateth it & beateth it into their heads: yea even when he treateth of good works. Here some man may object: How can it be that we should not be under the law? and yet thou notwithstanding, O Paul, teachest us that we have flesh which lusteth against the spirit, & fighteth against us, tormenteth us and bringeth us into bondage. And in deed we feel sin, and can not be delivered from the feeling thereof, though we would never so fain. And what is this else, but to be under the law? But, saith he: Let this nothing trouble you:1 only do your endeavour that ye may be led by the spirit, that is to say: show your selves willing to follow & obey that will which resisteth the flesh, and doth not accomplish the lusts ⟨p. 254⟩thereof (for this is to be led and to be drawn by the spirit): then are ye not under the law. So Paul speaketh of himself. Rom. 7. In my mind I serve the law of God, that is to say: In spirit I am not subject to any sin: but yet in my flesh I serve the law of sin. The faithful then are not under the law, that is to say, in spirit: for the law can not accuse them, nor pronounce sentence of death against them, although they feel sin, and confess them selves to be sinners: For the power and strength of the law is taken from it by Christ:2 who was made subject to the law, that he might redeem them which were under the law. Therefore the law cannot accuse that for sin in the faithful, which is sin in deed and committed against the law.
Paule cannot forget his doctrine of Faith, but still repeateth it & beateth it into their heades: yea euen when he treateth of good works. Here some man may obiect: How can it be that we should not be vnder the law? and yet thou notwithstanding, O Paule, teachest vs that we haue flesh which lusteth against the spirit, & fighteth against vs, tormē teth vs and bringeth vs into bondage. And in deede we feele sinne, and can not be deliuered from the feeling therof, though we would neuer so faine. And what is this else, but to be vnder the law? But, sayth he: Let this nothing trouble you: