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

I Have said in another place, that Paul in his salutations is wont to ascribe unto himself the name of an Apostle, that by his person he might get authority unto his doctrine. The authority of the person doth depend neither of the judgment nor yet of the will of men: but of the only calling of God, and therefore he requireth to be heard, because he is an Apostle. Let us always hold this, That God alone is to be heard in the Church, and he which is appointed by him a Teacher, even Jesus Christ. Therefore whosoever he be that will take upon him the place of a Teacher, must speak in the name of GOD or of Christ: but because among the Galatians Pauls calling was more doubted than elsewhere it was: therefore to confirm the same, he doeth express somewhat more here than in other Epistles he doeth: for he doth not ⟨p. 2⟩only affirm that he was called by God: but on the contrary part, he denieth that he was called either of men or by men. Here note that he speaketh not of the common office of Pastors, but of the office of an Apostle, the slanderers durst not utterly spoil him of the honour of the Ministry: only they did take away from him the name and right of an Apostle. I speak now of the office of an Apostle in a proper signification: for it is two manner of ways taken, sometime it signifieth any the preachers of the Gospel: but in this place specially it signifieth a principal order in the Church, so that Paul is equal to Peter, and the rest of the twelve. That first member, That he was not called of men, he had common with all the true Ministers of Christ. As no man ought to take unto himself the honour: so is it not in the power of men to give it unto whom it pleaseth them. It belongeth to God alone to rule his Church: therefore Calling cannot be lawful but of him. And although a man be rightly sometime called in respect of the Church, who notwithstanding through a wicked desire, and not of a good conscience, doth come unto the Ministry: yet nevertheless Paul doth here speak of the perfect approbation of his Calling, in the which nothing is lacking. Some man will object, Objection. Answer. doth it not fall out that the false apostles boast the self same thing also? I grant it: yea and that more arrogantly, and with greater boldness than the servants of the Lord dare:

I Haue sayde in another place, that Paule in hys salutations is wont to ascribe vnto himself ye name of an Apostle, that by his person he mighte get authorytie vnto hys doctrine. The authoritye of the person doth depende neither of the iudgment nor yet of the wil of men: but of the only calling of God, and therefore he requireth to be hearde, because he is an Apostle. Let vs always holde this, That God alone is to be heard in the Churche, and he which is appointed by him a Teacher, euen Iesus Christ. Therefore whosoeuer he be that will take vppon him the place of a Teacher, must speake in the name of GOD or of Christe: but because among the Galathians Paules callyng was more doubted than elsewhere it was: therefore to confirme the same, hee doeth expresse somewhat more heere than in other Epystles hee doeth: for hee doth not