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

15 If you bite and devour.) A man may conjecture as well by the thing it self, as also by the words, that the Galatians strived and were at odds among themselves, for that they did disagree in doctrine. he now declareth by the end of such dealing how deadly an evil strife is in the Church. Moreover it is very like, that the Lord by false doctrines had revenged their ambition, loftiness, and other their vices: as he is accustomed, and also testifieth by Moses Deut. 13. ver. 2. By bitings and devouring he meaneth, in my judgement both hateful slanders, accusations, taunts, and such like brawls: and also injuries and wrongs done by fraud or violence. What is the end hereof at the length? consuming or devouring, saith he. but yet it is the property of charity, that one of us should defend and preserve another. I would to god this would always come into our mind as oft as the devil doeth procure us unto contentions, namely that no other thing can come of the inward dissentions of the members, but a destruction and consumption ⟨p. 128⟩of the whole body. And what a wretched and mad thing is it, that we, who are members of one body, do willingly and of our own accord conspire one of us to destroy another. I say then, walk in the Spirit. The remedy followeth. the ruin of the Church is no small evil, we must therefore diligently prevent it as oft as it is at hand. But what is the mean or the way? forsooth if the flesh have not dominion in us: but that we give our selves to be governed of the spirit of God. And he doth withal show that the Galatians are carnal, and void of God his spirit, for that they led such a life as became not christians. for whereof came it that one of them wounded another, but because they were led after the lust of the flesh? This than he saith is a token, that they walk not after the Spirit. You must mark the word, Fulfil, whereby he meaneth that the children of God, although they be as yet endangered unto vices, as long as they are oppressed with the burden of the flesh, yet are they not utterly addicted unto them or in bondage to them, but do endeavour to resist and fight against them. neither is the spiritual man free from the desires of the flesh, but that he is often provoked of them: but he doth not yield, that he may suffer them to reign, which to do is to fulfil them.

15 If you bite and deuoure.) A man maye coniecture as well by the thing it selfe, as also by the wordes, that the Galathians striued and were at odddes among themselues, for that they did disagree in doctrine. hee nowe declareth by the ende of such dealing how deadly an euill strife is in the Church. Moreouer it is very like, that the Lorde by false doctrines hadde reuenged their ambition, loftinesse, and other their vices: as hee is accustomed, and also testifieth by Moses