A06492:558
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.
It may be then that Paul here rebuketh the Galatians, either of a very zeal (not to destroy them, but by this means to reduce them into the way again and to amend them): or else of pity and compassion, as it were by way of complaint, for that it grieveth him that the Galatians should be so miserably seduced. As if he should say: I am sorry and ashamed to hear of this your miserable case, your wretched doings, &c. In like manner do we also reprove the miserable: not that we tread them down, or upbraid them with their misery, but as having compassion on them and seeking their amendment. This I say, lest any man should cavil that Paul railed upon the churches, contrary to the rule of the Gospel.
It may be then that Paule here rebuketh the Galathians, either of a very zeale (not to destroy them, but by this meanes to reduce them into the way againe and to amend them): or els of pitie and compassion, as it were by way of complaint, for that it greueth him that the Galathians should be so miserably seduced. As if he should say: I am sory and ashamed to heare of this your miserable case, your wretched doings, &c. In like maner doe we also reproue the miserable: not that we treade them downe, or vpbraide them with their misery, but as hauing compassion on them and seeking their amendment. This I say, lest any man should cauill that Paule railed vpon the churches, contrary to the rule of the Gospell.
In like manner Christ rebuketh the pharisees, calling them serpents, 1the generation of vipers, the children of the devil. But these are the rebukings of the holy Ghost. They are fatherly and motherly, and as the chidings of a faithful friend: As it is said also in the proverbs: Better are the wounds of a friend then the kisses of an enemy. 2Thus one and the self same rebuke, if it come out of the mouth of a father, may be a great benefit: but if it proceed out of the mouth of our equal or enemy, it is a spiteful reproach. When two men do both one thing, in the one it is commendable, and in the other it is clean contrary. When Christ and Paul do reprove, it is done with singular virtue and commendation: but when a private man shall do the like, in him it is a great vice. Therefore one and the self same word in the mouth of Paul is a great virtue and a singular benefit: but in the mouth of an other it is a shameful reproach.