Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

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.