A06492:719
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.
Wherefore, above all things, we must mark well whereupon Paul entreateth in this place, whereabout he goeth, and how he looketh into Moses. He is here (as before I have often said) in a spiritual matter, separated from policy and from all laws, and he looketh into Moses with other eyes, then the hypocrites & false apostles do, and expoundeth the law spiritually.1 Wherefore the whole effect of the matter consisteth in this word [to do]. Now, to do the law, is not only to do it outwardly, but to do it truly & perfectly. There be two sorts then of doers of the law: The first are they which are of the works of ⟨image 125⟩the law, against whom Paul striveth throughout all this Epistle. The other sort are they which are of Faith, of whom we will speak hereafter. Now, to be of the law or of the works of the law, and to be of Faith, are quite contrary, yea even as contrary as God and the Devil, sin and righteousness, death and life. For they are of the law which would be made righteous by the law.2 They are of faith, which do assuredly trust that they are made righteous through only mercy for Christs sake. He which sayeth that righteousness is of faith, curseth and condemneth the righteousness of works. Contrariwise, he which saith that righteousness is of the law, curseth and condemneth the righteousness of faith: Therefore they are altogether contrary the one to the other.
Wherfore, aboue all things, we must marke wel whervpon Paule entreateth in this place, wherabout he goeth, and how he looketh into Moses. He is here (as before I haue often sayd) in a spirituall matter, seperated from policie and from all lawes, and he looketh into Moises with other eyes, then ye hypocrites & false apostles do, and expoundeth the law spiritually.1 Wherfore the whole effect of the matter consisteth in this worde [to doe]. Now, to doe the lawe, is not onely to doe it outwardly, but to doe it truely & perfectly. There be two sortes then of doers of the law: The first are they which are of the workes of ⟨image 125⟩the lawe, against whom Paule striueth throughout all this Epistle. The other sort are they which are of Faith, of whom we will speake hereafter. Nowe, to be of the lawe or of the workes of the lawe, and to be of Faith, are quite contrary, yea euen as contrary as God and the Deuill, sinne and righteousnes, death and life. For they are of the lawe which would be made righteous by the lawe.