Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

As though he would say: I did not so confer with the Apostles, that they taught me any thing. For what should they teach me, since Christ by his revelation had before sufficiently taught me all things? & moreover ⟨p. 48⟩since I have now preached the Gospel the space of eighteen years among the Gentiles, & Christ hath wrought so many miracles by me, whereby he hath confirmed my doctrine? Wherefore it was but a conference and no disputation. Wherein I learned nothing,¹ neither did I recant, nor yet defend my cause, but only declared what things I had done: to wit, that I had preached to the Gentiles faith only in Christ with out the law, and that by this preaching of faith the holy Ghost came down upon the Gentiles, which immediately spake with divers tongues. Which thing when the Apostles heard, they witnessed that I had taught the truth. Wherefore the false Apostles do me great wrong which pervert and turn all these things clean contrary.

As though he would say: I did not so conferre with the Apostles, that they taught me any thing. For what should they teach me, since Christ by his reuelation had before sufficiently taught me all things? & moreouer ⟨p. 48⟩since I haue now preached ye Gospell the space of eightene yeares among the Gentiles, & Christ hath wrought so many miracles by me, wherby he hath confirmed my doctrine? Wherfore it was but a conference and no disputation. Wherein I learned nothing,¹ neither did I recāt, nor yet defend my cause, but only declared what things I had done: to witte, that I had preached to the Gentiles faith onely in Christ wt out the lawe, and that by this preaching of faith the holy Ghost came downe vpon the Gentiles, which immediatly spake wt diuers tongues. Which thinge when ye Apostles heard, they witnessed yt I had taught ye truth. Wherfore the false Apostles doe me greate wrong which peruert and turne all these things cleane contrary.

1. 1What Paul did in that conference.VVhat Paule did in that conference.

Now if Paul would give no place to the false Apostles which set the authority of the true Apostles against him: much less ought we to give place to our adversaries, which have nothing else to brag of but the authority of their Idol the Pope. I know that the godly ought to be humble:¹ but against the Pope I will and I ought to be proud with an holy pride and say: Thou Pope, I will not be subject unto thee: I will not take thee for my master, for I am sure that my doctrine is true and godly. But the Pope will not hear this doctrine. Nay he would force us to obey his laws and his decrees, and if we will not, he will by and by excommunicate, curse and condemn us as heretics. Such pride therefore against the Pope is most necessary. And if we should not so be proud, & utterly condemn in the holy Ghost both him withal his doctrine, & the devil the father of lies speaking in him,² we should never be able to defend this article of the righteousness of faith. We do not then contemn the authority of the Pope because we would bear rule over him, neither do we go about to exalt our selves above all sovereign power, since it is evident that we teach all men to humble and submit themselves to the higher powers^* ordained of God: but this is it that we only seek, that the glory of God may be maintained and the righteousness of faith may be kept pure and sound.

Now if Paule would geue no place to the false Apostles which set the authoritie of the true Apostles against him: much lesse ought we to geue place to our aduersaries, which haue nothing els to bragge of but the authoritie of their Idol the Pope. I know that the godly ought to be humble:¹ but against the Pope I will and I ought to be proude with an holy pride and say: Thou Pope, I wil not be subiect vnto thee: I will not take thee for my master, for I am sure that my doctrine is true and godly. But the Pope will not heare this doctrine. Nay he would force vs to obey his lawes and his decrees, and if we will not, he will by and by excommunicate, curse and condemne vs as heretikes. Such pride therfore against the Pope is most necessary. And if we should not so be proude, & vtterly condemne in ye holy Ghost both him wtal his doctrine, & the deuil ye father of lies speaking in him,² we should neuer be able to defend this article of ye righteousnes of faith. We doe not then contemne the authoritie of the Pope because we would beare rule ouer him, neither doe we goe about to exalt our selues aboue all souereigne power, since it is euident that we teach all men to humble and submit thēselues to the higher powers^* ordained of God: but this is it that we onely seke, that the glory of God may be maintained and the righteousnes of faith may be kept pure and sound.

1. 1The holy pride of the godly against the Pope.
2. 2Why•e the godly are proud against the Pope.VVhy•e the godly are proude against the Pope.
3. *The Pope is no power ordained of God.The Pope is no povver ordeined of God.

Wherefore if the Pope will grant unto us that God alone by his mere grace through Christ doth justify summers,¹ we will not only carry him in our hands, but will also kiss his feet. But since we can not obtain this, we again in God are proud against him above measure, & will give no place, no not one hears breadth to all the Angels in heaven, not to Peter, not to Paul, not to an hundred Emperors, not to a thousand Popes, nor to the whole world. Be it far from us that we should here humble ourselves, since they would take ⟨image 56⟩from us our glory, even God himself that hath created us and given us all things, and Jesus Christ who hath redeemed us with his blood. Let this be then the conclusion of altogether, that we will suffer our goods to be taken away, our name, our life, and all that we have: but the Gospel, our faith, Jesus Christ we will never suffer to be wrested from us. And cursed be that humility which here abaseth and submitteth it self. Nay rather let every Christian man here be proud and spare not, except he will deny Christ.

Wherefore if the Pope will graunt vnto vs that God alone by his meere grace through Christ doth iustifie sumers,¹ we will not onely carry him in our hands, but will also kisse his feete. But since we can not obtaine this, we againe in God are proude against him aboue measure, & will geue no place, no not one hears breadth to all the Angels in heauen, not to Peter, not to Paule, not to an hundreth Emperours, not to a thousand Popes, nor to the whole world. Be it farre from vs that we should here humble ourselues, since they would take ⟨image 56⟩from vs our glory, euen God himselfe that hath created vs and geuen vs all things, and Iesus Christ who hath redemed vs with his bloud. Let this be then the conclusion of altogether, that we will suffer our goods to be taken away, our name, our life, and all that we haue: but the Gospell, our faith, Iesus Christ we will neuer suffer to be wrested from vs. And cursed be that humilitie which here abaseth and submitteth it selfe. Nay rather let euery Christian man here be proude and spare not, except he will deny Christ.

1. 1This is impossible for Antichrist the sonne of perdition to acknowledge.This is impossible for Antechrist the sōne of perdition to acknovvledge.

1. 11 Cor. 13.7. Love suffereth all things, but faith can bear nothing1 Cor. 13.7. Loue suffereth all things, but faith can beare nothing
2. 22 Pet. 1.4,

Vers. 7.8. But contrariwise when they saw that the Gospel over uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the Gospel over circumcision was unto Peter (for he that was mighty by Peter in the Apostleship over the circumcision, was also mighty by me towards the Gentiles.)

Vers. 7.8. But contrarivvise vvhen they savve that the Gospell ouer vncircūcision vvas committed vnto me, as the Gospel ouer circumcision vvas vnto Peter (for he that vvas mighty by Peter in the Apostleship ouer the circumcision, vvas also mighty by me tovvards the Gentiles.)

With these words Paul mightily confuteth the false Apostles: For here he challengeth to himself the same authority which the false Apostles attributed to the true Apostles. And he useth here a figure which is called an Inversion, returning their argument against themselves. The false Apostles (saith he) do allege against me the authority of the great Apostles, to maintain their cause. But I contrariwise do allege the same against them for my defence, for the Apostles are on my side. Wherefore O my Galatians, believe not these ⟨p. 49⟩counterfeit apostles which brag so much of the authority of the Apostles against me. For the Apostles when they saw the Gospel over the uncircumcision to be committed to me, and knew of the grace that to me was given, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, approving my ministry and giving thanks unto God for the gift which I had received. Thus he returneth the argument of the false apostles upon them selves. And here is also in these words an ardent vehemency, and more contained in matter, then in words is able to be expressed.

With these words Paule mightely confuteth the false Apostles: For here he chalengeth to himselfe the same authoritie which the false Apostles attributed to the true Apostles. And he vseth here a figure which is called an Inuersion, returning their argument against themselues. The false Apostles (saith he) doe alledge against me the authoritie of the greate Apostles, to maintaine their cause. But I contrariwise doe alledge the same against them for my defence, for the Apostles are on my side. Wherefore O my Galathians, beleue not these ⟨p. 49⟩counterfet apostles which bragge so much of the authoritie of the Apostles against me. For the Apostles when they saw the Gospell ouer the vncircumcision to be committed to me, and knew of the grace that to me was geuen, gaue to me and Barnabas the right hands of felowship, approuing my ministerie and geuing thankes vnto God for the gift which I had receiued. Thus he retourneth the argument of the false apostles vpon them selues. And here is also in these wordes an ardent vehemencie, and more contained in matter, then in wordes is able to be expressed.

This seemeth to be a hard text,¹ where Paul saith that the gospel over the uncircumcision was committed unto him, & over the circumcision unto Peter, when notwithstanding Paul almost every where preached to the Jews in their Synagogues, and Peter likewise to the Gentiles. There are examples & testimonies of both in the Acts. Peter converted the Centurion with his family, which was a Gentile. He wrote also to the Gentiles, as his first epistle testifieth.² Paul preaching Christ among the Gentiles,³ entereth notwithstanding into the Synagogues of the Jews, and there preacheth the gospel. And our Saviour Christ in Matthew and Mark commandeth his apostles to go throughout the whole world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.⁴ Paul likewise saith: The gospel preached to every creature which is under heaven. ⁵Why then doth he call himself the Apostle of the Gentiles, and Peter with the other, the Apostles of the circumcision?

This seemeth to be a hard text,¹ where Paule sayth that the gospell ouer the vncircumcision was committed vnto him, & ouer the circumcision vnto Peter, when notwtstanding Paule almost euery where preached to the Iewes in their Sinagoges, and Peter likewise to the Gentiles. There are examples & testimonies of both in the Acts. Peter conuerted the Centurian wt his familie, which was a Gentile. He wrote also to the Gentiles, as his first epistle testifieth.² Paule preaching Christ among the Gentiles,³ entreth notwithstanding into the Sinagoges of the Iewes, and there preacheth the gospel. And our Sauiour Christ in Mathevv and Marke commaundeth his apostles to goe throughout the whole world, and preach the Gospel to euery creature.⁴ Paule likewise sayth: The gospel preached to euery creature vvhich is vnder heauen. ⁵Why then doth he call himselfe the Apostle of the Gentiles, and Peter with the other, the Apostles of the circumcision?

1. 1To Peter is committed the Gospel over circumcision. and to Paul over uncircumcision. Acts. 10.17.To Peter is cōmitted the Gospell ouer circumcision. and to Paule ouer vncircū cision. Actes. 10.17.
2. 21. Peter. 1.1.
3. 3Acts. 9.20.Actes. 9.20.
4. 4Mat. 23.9.10. Marc. 16.15.
5. 5Coloss. 1.5.6.

This question is not hard. Paul here hath respect unto this, that the other Apostles remained specially in Jerusalem, until God called them unto other places. Thus stood the matter then for the time, that whiles the political state of the Jews continued, the Apostles still remained in Judea: but when the destruction of Jerusalem approached, they were dispersed throughout the whole world.¹ But Paul as it is written in the Acts, by a singular vocation was chosen to be the Apostle of the Gentiles, and being sent out of Judea, he travelled through the countries of the Gentiles. Now were the Jews dispersed almost throughout the whole world, and dwelt here and there in cities and other places amongst the Gentiles. Paul coming thither was wont (as we read in the Acts) to go into the Synagogues of the Jews,² and by this occasion he first brought unto them as the children of the kingdom, this glad tidings, that the promises made unto the fathers, were now accomplished by Jesus Christ. When they would not hear this, he turned to the Gentiles, as Luke witnesseth, where he bringeth in Paul thus ⟨image 57⟩boldly speaking against the Jews:³ It was necessary that we should first preach the word of God unto you: but seeing ye reject it, & judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life, lo we turn to the Gentiles. And in the Acts:⁴ Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they shall hear it. Wherefore Paul was sent specially unto the Gentiles. But because he was a debtor unto all,⁵ and became all things unto all men, therefore, occasion being offered, he went into the Synagogues of the Jews, where not only the Jews, but also the Gentiles heard him preaching Christ. Otherwhiles he preached publicly in the market place, in houses, and by the rivers sides. He was specially then the Apostle of the Gentiles, as Peter was of the Jews: who notwithstanding preached Christ to the Gentiles also when occasion was offered.

This question is not hard. Paule here hath respect vnto this, that the other Apostles remained specially in Ierusalem, vntil God called them vnto other places. Thus stoode the matter then for the time, that whiles the politicall state of the Iewes continued, the Apostles still remained in Iudea: but when ye destruction of Ierusalem approched, they were dispersed throughout the whole world.¹ But Paule as it is written in the Actes, by a singular vocation was chosen to be the Apostle of the Gentiles, and being sent out of Iudea, he traueled through ye countreys of the Gentiles. Now were the Iewes dispersed almost throughout ye whole world, and dwelt here and there in cities and other places amongs the Gentiles. Paule comming thether was wont (as we read in the Actes) to goe into the Sinagoges of the Iewes,² and by this occasion he first brought vnto them as the children of the kingdom, this glad tidings, that the promises made vnto the fathers, were now accomplished by Iesus Christ. When they would not heare this, he turned to the Gentiles, as Luke witnesseth, where he bringeth in Paule thus ⟨image 57⟩boldly speaking against the Iewes:³ It vvas necessary that vve should first preach the vvord of God vnto you: but seing ye reiect it, & iudge your selues vnvvorthy of euerlastīg life, loe vve turne to the Gentiles. And in the Actes:⁴ Be it knovvne therfore vnto you, that this saluation of God is sent vnto the Gentiles, and they shall heare it. Wherefore Paule was sent specially vnto the Gentiles. But because he was a detter vnto all,⁵ and became all things vnto all mē, therfore, occasion being offered, he went into the Sinagoges of the Iewes, where not only the Iewes, but also ye Gentiles heard him preaching Christ. Otherwhiles he preached publikely in the market place, in houses, and by the riuers sides. He was specially then the Apostle of the Gentiles, as Peter was of the Iewes: who notwithstanding preached Christ to the Gentiles also when occasion was offered.

1. 1Acts. 13.1.2. Peter the Apostle of the Jews, and Paul of the Gentiles.Actes. 13.1.2. Peter the Apostle of the Ievves, and Paule of the Gentiles.
2. 2Acts. 9.20. Paul preached also to the Jews.Actes. 9.20. Paule preached also to the Ievves.
3. 3Act. 13.45.46. Math. 10.6.
4. 4Acts. 28.2•.Actes. 28.2•.
5. 5Rom. 1.14.

¹And here he calleth uncircumcision the Gentiles, and circumcision the Jews by a figure named Synecdoche, which under part comprehē death the whole: which figure is commonly used in the scripture. The gospel then over uncircumcision, is that which should be preached to the Gentiles. This gospel he saith was committed unto him, as the gospel over circumcision was unto Peter. For as Peter preached the gospel among the Jews, so did he among the Gentiles.

¹And here he calleth vncircumcision the Gentiles, and circumcision the Iewes by a figure named Synecdoche, which vnder part comprehē deth the whole: which figure is commonly vsed in the scripture. The gospell then ouer vncircumcision, is that which should be preached to the Gentiles. This gospell he sayth was committed vnto him, as the gospell ouer circumcision was vnto Peter. For as Peter preached the gospell among the Iewes, so did he among the Gentiles.

1. 1Uncircumcision. Circumcision.Vncircūcisiō. Circumcision.

¹This he often repeateth, that Peter, James and John, which seemed to be the pillars of the church, taught him nothing, nor committed unto him the office of preaching the Gospel, as having authority and rule over him. But they them selves (saith he) did see that the gospel was committed unto me: but not by Peter. For as I did not receive or learn my gospel of man, so did I receive no commandment by man to preach the same, but both the knowledge and the commandment to preach it among the Gentiles, I received immediately from God: like as the charge was given of God unto Peter to preach the same among the Jews.

¹This he often repeteth, yt Peter, Iames and Iohn, which semed to be the pillers of the church, taught him nothing, nor committed vnto him the office of preaching the Gospell, as hauing authoritie and rule ouer him. But they them selues (sayth he) did see that the gospell was committed vnto me: but not by Peter. For as I did not receiue or learne my gospel of man, so did I receiue no cōmaundement by man to preach the same, but both the knowlege and the cōmaundement to preach it amōg the Gentiles, I receiued immediatly from God: like as the charge was geuen of God vnto Peter to preach the same among the Iewes.

1. 1Paul receiveth not his gospel of the other Apostles.Paule receaueth not his gospel of the other Apostles.

This place witnesseth very plainly that the Apostles had like calling,¹ like charge, and all one Gospel. Peter preached no other Gospel then the rest of the Apostles did, neither did he appoint to others their charge and office:² but there was an equality among them all, for they were all taught of God, that is, both their vocation and charge was wholly and immediately from God. There was none therefore greater then other: none that had any prerogative above other. And therefore where the Pope vaunteth that Peter was the chief of the Apostles, that thereby he might confirm and stablish his usurped primacy, it is an impudent lie.

This place witnesseth very plainly that the Apostles had like calling,¹ like charge, and all one Gospell. Peter preached no other Gospell then the rest of the Apostles did, neither did he appoynt to others their charge and office:² but there was an equalitie among them all, for they were all taught of God, that is, both their vocation and charge was wholy and immediatly from God. There was none therefore greater then other: none that had any prerogatiue aboue other. And therefore where the Pope vaūteth that Peter was the chiefe of the Apostles, that thereby he might confirme and stablish his vsurped primacie, it is an impudent lie.

1. 1The Apostles calling equal.The Apostles calling equall.
2. 2Equality among the Apostles.Equalitie among the Apostles.

Verse. 8. For he that was mighty by Peter.

Verse. 8. For he that vvas mightie by Peter.

This is a confutation of an other argument of the false apostles. Why do the false apostles boast (saith he) that the Gospel of Peter was mighty, that he converted many, that he wrought many and great miracles, raised up the dead, and with his shadow cured the sick?¹ I grant all these things to be true: but Peter received this power from heaven. God gave a virtue to his word that many did believe him, and great miracles were wrought by him. The same power had I also: which I received not of Peter, but the same God and the same spirit which was mighty in Peter, was mighty in me also. I had the same grace: I taught many: I wrought many miracles, and through my shadow also I cured the sick. And this Luke testifieth in the .19.² of the Acts in these words: And God wrought no small miracles by the hands of Paul, so that from his body were brought napkins and handkerchiefs, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Read more hereof in the .13.16.20.28. of the Acts.

This is a confutation of an other argument of the false apostles. Why doe the false apostles boast (sayth he) that the Gospell of Peter was mightie, that he conuerted many, that he wrought many and great miracles, raised vp the dead, and with his shadow cured the sick?¹ I graunt all these things to be true: but Peter receiued this power from heauen. God gaue a vertue to his woorde that many did beleeue him, and great miracles were wrought by him. The same power had I also: which I receiued not of Peter, but the same God and the same spirite which was mightie in Peter, was mightie in me also. I had the same grace: I taught many: I wrought many miracles, and through my shadow also I cured the sicke. And this Luke testifieth in the .19.² of the Actes in these wordes: And God vvrought no small miracles by the handes of Paule, so that from his body vvere brought napkins and handkercheefes, and the diseases departed from them, and the euill spirites vvent out of them. Read more hereof in the .13.16.20.28. of the Actes.

1. 1Acts. 15.14. The Gospel of Peter mighty.Actes. 15.14. The Gospell of Peter mightie.
2. 2Acts. 19.11.12.Actes. 19.11.12.

To conclude, Paul will be counted in no point inferior to the rest of the Apostles: and herein he standeth with a godly and a holy pride. For he was compelled of necessity to take upon him stoutly against Peter, ¹and the zeal of God constrained him to be proud whether he would or no. Certain profane spirits, as Julianus and Porphirius not considering this, thought it to be but a carnal pride that caused Paul thus to do: such as at this day we see in the Pope and his generation. But Paul had not here his own business in hand, but a matter of Faith. Now, as concerning Faith we ought to be invincible, and more hard if it might be, then the Adamant stone. But as touching charity, we ought to be soft, and more flexible then the reed or leaf that is shaken with the wind, and ready to yield to every thing. Therefore the controversy was not here touching the glory of Paul, but the glory of God, the word of God, the true worship of God, true religion, and the righteousness of Faith, to the end that these things might still remain pure and uncorrupt.

To conclude, Paule wil be counted in no poynt inferiour to the rest of the Apostles: and herein he standeth with a godly and a holy pride. For he was compelled of necessitie to take vpon him stoutly against Peter, ¹and the zeale of God constrained him to be proud whether he would or no. Certaine prophane spirites, as Iulianus and Porphirius not considering this, thought it to be but a carnall pride that caused Paule thus to doe: such as at this day we see in the Pope and his generation. But Paule had not here his owne busines in hand, but a matter of Faith. Nowe, as concerning Faith we ought to be inuincible, and more harde if it might be, then the Adamant stone. But as touching charitie, we ought to be soft, and more flexible then the reede or leafe that is shaken with the winde, and ready to yelde to euery thing. Therefore the controuersie was not here touching the glorie of Paule, but the glory of God, the word of God, the true worship of God, true religion, and the righteousnes of Faith, to the ende that these things might still remaine pure and vncorrupt.

1. 1The stoutness of Paul is not carnal.The stoutnes of Paul is not carnall.

Verse. 9. And when James and Cephas and John knew of the grace that was given unto me, which are counted to be pillars, ⟨image 58⟩they gave to me and to Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should preach unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision.

Verse. 9. And vvhen Iames and Cephas and Iohn knevv of the grace that vvas geuen vnto me, vvhich are counted to be pillers, ⟨image 58⟩they gaue to me and to Barnabas the right hands of felovvship, that vve should preach vnto the Gentiles, and they vnto the circumcision.

That is to say, when they heard that I had received my calling and charge from god to preach the gospel among the Gentiles, & that God had wrought so many miracles by me: moreover, that so great a number of the Gentiles were come to the knowledge of Christ through my ministry, and that the Gentiles had received the holy Ghost without the law and circumcision by the only preaching of faith, they glorified God for this grace which was given unto me.

That is to say, when they heard that I had receaued my calling and charge from god to preach the gospel among the Gentiles, & that God had wrought so many miracles by me: moreouer, that so great a nomber of the Gentiles were come to the knowledge of Christ through my ministerie, and that the Gentiles had receiued the holy Ghost without the law and circumcision by the onely preaching of faith, they glorified God for this grace which was geuen vnto me.