Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Here Paul showeth the cause why he went up to Jerusalem, and there conferred his gospel with the other Apostles, and why he would not circumcise Titus: Not that he might be the more certain, or confirmed in the gospel by the Apostles, for he nothing doubted thereof: but that the truth of the gospel might continue in the Churches of the Galatians, and in all the Churches of the Gentiles. We see then that this business of Paul was no light matter.

Here Paule sheweth the cause why he went vp to Ierusalem, and there conferred his gospell with the other Apostles, and why he would not circumcise Titus: Not that he might be the more certaine, or confirmed in the gospell by the Apostles, for he nothing doubted thereof: but that the truth of the gospell might continue in the Churches of the Galathians, and in all the Churches of the Gentiles. We see then that this busines of Paule was no light matter.

Now, where he speaketh of the truth of the Gospel, he showeth that there be two gospels, a true and a false gospel. Indeed the gospel of it self is simple, true and sincere, but by the malice of Satan's ministers it is corrupt and defaced. Therefore where he saith: The truth ⟨image 51⟩of the gospel, he would have us to understand also the contrary. As if he would say:¹ The false apostles do also preach a faith & a gospel, but they are both false. Therefore have I set my self so constantly against them: and in that I would not give place unto them, I have brought to pass that the truth of the gospel continueth with you.² So the Pope and the Anabaptists do brag at this day that they teach the Gospel & faith in Christ. True it is: but with such fruit as the false apostles once did, whom Paul calleth before in the first chapter troublers of the church, and subverters of the gospel of Christ. On the other side he saith that he teacheth the truth of the gospel. As if he should say: Those things which the false apostles teach,