A06492:638
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.
Verse. 4. If notwithstanding it be in vain.
Verse. 4. If notvvithstanding it be in vaine.
This he addeth as a correction: whereby he mitigateth the reprehension that goeth before, which was somewhat sharp. And this he doth as an Apostle, lest he should terrify the Galatians too much. Although he chide them, yet notwithstanding he always doth it in such sort, that he poureth in sweet oil withal, lest he should drive them to desperation.
This he addeth as a correction: wherby he mitigateth the reprehension that goeth before, which was somewhat sharpe. And this he doth as an Apostle, lest he should terrifie the Galathians too much. Although he chide them, yet notwithstanding he alwayes doth it in such sorte, that he poureth in sweete oyle withall, lest he should driue them to desperation.
He saith therefore: If notwithstanding it be in vain. As if he would say: yet I do not take away all hope from you: but if ye would so end in the flesh, that is to say, follow the righteousness of the law and forsake the spirit, as ye have begone: then know ye, that all your glory and affiance which ye have in God, is in vain, and all your afflictions are unprofitable. In deed I must needs speak somewhat more roughly unto you in this matter: I must be more fervent in the defence thereof, and more sharp in chiding of you, especially the matter being so weighty, and constraining me thereunto, left ye should think it to be but a trifle to cast away the doctrine of Paul, and receive an other. Notwithstanding, I will not utterly discourage you, so that ye repent and amend. For sickly and scabbed children may not be cast away, but must be holpen and seen to more carefully then they which are in health. So that Paul here like a cunning Physician, layeth all the fault in a manner, upon the false Apostles, the authors and only cause of this deadly disease. Contrariwise he entreateth the Galatians very gently, to the end that by this his mildness he might heal them, and restore them again. We therefore by the example of Paul, ought in like manner to reprehend the weak, and so to heal and remove their disease, that in the mean time we leave not of to cherish and comfort them, lest if we handle them too sharply, they fall into desperation.