A06492:511
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.
Hitherto we have declared this to be the first argument of Paul: that either Christ must needs be the minister of sin, or else the law doth not justify: when he had finished this argument, he set forth himself for an example, saying: that he was dead unto that old law by a certain new law. Now he answereth two objections which might be made against him. His first answer is against the cavillations of the proud, and the offence of the weak. For when remission of sins is freely preached, then do the malicious by and by slander this preaching. As Rom, 3: Let us do evil that good may come thereof. For these fellows as soon as they hear that we are not justified by the law,1 forthwith do maliciously conclude and say: why, then let us reject the law. Again, if grace do there abound (say they) where sin doth abound, let us then abound in sin that we may become righteous, and that grace may the more abound. These are the malicious and proud spirits, which spitefully and wittingly slander the scriptures & sayings of the holy Ghost, even as they slandered Paul whilst the apostles lived, to their own confusion & condemnation, as it is said. 2. Pet. 3.
Hitherto we haue declared this to be the first argument of Paule: that either Christ must needes be the minister of sinne, or els the lawe doth not iustifie: when he had finished this argument, he set forth himselfe for an example, saying: that he was dead vnto that old law by a certaine new law. Now he aunswereth two obiections which might be made against him. His first aunswere is against the cauillations of the proude, and the offence of the weake. For when remission of sinnes is freely preached, then doe the malicious by and by sclander this preaching. As Rom, 3: Let vs doe euill that good may come therof. For these fellowes as soone as they heare that we are not iustified by the law,1 forthwith do maliciously conclude and say: why, then let vs reiect the law. Againe, if grace doe there abound (say they) where sinne doth abound, let vs then abound in sinne that we may become righteous, and that grace may the more abound. These are the malicious and proude spirites, which spitefully and wittingly sclaunder the scriptures & sayings of the holy Ghost, euen as they sclaundered Paule whilest the apostles liued, to their owne confusion & cōdemnation, as it is said.