A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

4 When the fullness came.) He proceedeth in the similitude which he begun with, and doth apply unto his purpose the time determined of the Father. and yet withal he showeth, that that time which was ordained by Gods providence was a ripe time and a seasonable. That therefore is a just opportunity and the right dispensation of doing, which is governed by the providence of GOD. So it belonged unto GOD alone to judge and determine, when it was expedient for the Son to be revealed unto the world, whereby is restrained all curiosity, that not any man, (who is not satisfied with the secrete counsel of God) shall dare move contention why Christ hath not sooner appeared. Let the readers, if they will know more, seek in the end of the Epistle to the Romans. God hath sent his son. Here in few words he hath comprehended many things▪ for the son which was sent must have been before▪ whereby is proved his eternal Godhead. Christ than is the son of God, sent out of heaven. He sayeth that he was made of a woman, because he put on our nature. and so he maketh it known that he consisteth of two natures. Some Books have, borne: but that other reading (I mean made) is more used, and, in my judgement, more agreeable. For he would by name discern Christ from all other men: because he was made of the seed of his mother, and not by the carnal copulation of man and woman. or else this were Ray cold, and put in without cause. Of a Woman: this word is generally referred to the sex or kind. Brought under the law, word for word it is thus. Made under the Law▪ but my mind was to set forth the meaning more familiarly. Christ therefore the son of God, who by right should have been free from ⟨p. 90⟩all subjection, was subject to the Law why? in our behalf that he might purchase liberty unto us. For as he which was free doth redeem a captive, by making himself a pledge: and by putting on irons, doth put them off from the other: so Christ would be in dangered to keep the Law, that he might purchase unto us freedom or else in vain had he gone under the yoke of the law. for certainly he did it not for his own sake. Furthermore we are not so exempt by Christs benefit from the law, that we owe no more obedience to the doctrine of the law, but that we may do what we list. for it is a perpetual lesson to teach us to live well and holily.