A17646:191
A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians
A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the Galatians: and translated into English by R.V.A commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians: and translated into English by R.V.
London: printed by Thomas Purfoote, 1581
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.
¶ The fifth Chapter. 1 Stand therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath delivered us: and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold I Paul do show unto you that if you be circumcised Christ shall nothing avail you. 3 For I testify again unto every man who is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Ye are made empty of Christ whosoever you be that be justified by the law, you are fallen from grace. 5 For we by the Spirit do look for the hope of righteousness through faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing, neither uncircumcision: but faith which worketh by love.
¶ The fyft Chapter. 1 Stande therefore in the libertie wherewith Christe hath deliuered vs: and bee not entangled againe in the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold I Paule do shew vnto you that if you be circumcised Christ shall nothing auaile you. 3 For I testifie againe vnto euery man who is circumcised, that he is a debter to doe the whole law. 4 Ye are made emptie of Christ whosoeuer you be that be iustified by the law, you are falne from grace. 5 For we by the Spirite doe looke for the hope of righteousnesse through faith. 6 For in Christ Iesus neither Circumcision auaileth anye thing, neither vncircumcisiō: but faith which worketh by loue.
Stand therefore in the liberty.) After he had said they were the children of the freewoman, now he admonisheth them how great the valour of this liberty is, that they contemn it not as a thing little worth. And certainly it is an inestimable good thing, for which it becometh us to fight unto the death, neither is he in hand here about fires ⟨p. 114⟩only but also about alters too. Because many at these days do not way this, they do condemn us that we be too earnest, whiles they see us to sharply, and with so great contention avouch the liberty of Faith against the Tyranny of the Pope, in outward things. By this pretence also, the adversaries stir us up ill will among the unlearned, as though we seek nothing else but licentiousness, which is a setting loose of all Discipline. But they that are wise and skilful know, that this is one of the principal points in the doctrine of salvation. For here we deal not about this, Whether you may eat this meat or that meat, whether you make this day holy, or let it alone: (as many men do foolishly suppose, and some men do slanderously report) but what is lawful for thee to do before God, what is necessary to salvation, and what it is wickedness to leave undone. to be brief, it is a contention about the estate of the conscience, when we come before the tribunal seat of God. Finally Paul in this place meaneth the liberty from the ceremonies of the Law, the observing whereof the false Apostles did exact as a thing necessary. But withal the readers must remember, that that manner of liberty is but a part only of that liberty, which Christ hath purchased unto us. For how small a thing were it, if he had only delivered us from the ceremonies? This custom therefore springeth out of a deeper fountain: namely in that he was made a curse, that he might redeem us from the curse of the Law, (above in the third chapter verse 13). because he hath abrogated the force of the Law, as far forth as it hold us endangered by the judgement of God, under the guiltiness of eternal death: to conclude because he hath set us at liberty from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death, so under one kind, is the whole comprehended: whereof I will speak in the Epistle to the Colossians. Furthermore Christ hath purchased liberty unto us in the Cross: