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

5 For we by the Spirit through faith.) It is a prevention wherewith he preventeth an objection for forthwith this cogitation might come into any mans mind, Is there than no profit of circumcision? Objection. he answereth, Answer. that in Christ it profiteth nothing: and that therefore righteousness is planted in faith, and that this righteousness is obtained in spirit without ceremonies. To look for the hope of righteousness, is to ground in this or that thing their confidence: or to determine from whence righteousness is to be hoped, although withal, it be probable, that perseverance is noted in these words: as if he should have said, We stand constantly in the confidence of righteousness, which, by faith we obtain. In that he saith, that righteousness abideth by faith: that is common to the fathers and to us both alike, for by faith they all pleased God, as the Scripture witnesseth, Hebr. 11. but their faith was wrapped under the veil of ceremonies. therefore he maketh a difference between us and them by this word Spirit, which is set against the outward shadows. He meaneth than that it is naked and bare faith now which sufficeth to obtain righteousness: and which is not set forth with the pomp of ceremonies, but is content with the spiritual service of God.

5 For we by the Spirite through faith.) It is a preuention wherewith he preuenteth an obiection for forthwith this cogitation might come into any mans mynde, Is there than no profite of circumcision? Obiection. he aunswereth, Aunswer. that in Christ it profiteth nothing: and that therefore righteousnesse is planted in fayth, and that this righteousnesse is obtayned in spirite without ceremonies. To loke for the hope of righteousnesse, is to groūd in this or that thing their confidence: or to determine from whence righteousnesse is to be hoped, although withall, it bee probable, that perseueraunce is noted in these wordes: as if he shoulde haue sayde, We stande constantlye in the confidence of righteousnesse, which, by fayth we obtayne. In that hee sayth, that righteousnesse abideth by fayth: that is common to the fathers and to vs both alike, for by fayth they all pleased God, as the Scripture witnesseth, Hebr. 11. but their faith was wrapped vnder the vaile of ceremonies. therefore hee maketh a difference betweene vs and them by this word Spirite, which is set agaynste the outwarde shadowes. Hee meaneth than that it is naked and bare fayth now which suffiseth to obtayne righteousnesse: and which is not set forth with the pompe of ceremonies, but is content with the spirituall seruice of God.