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

We must be mindful than to begin at our selves, as oft as we mind to correct vices: that remembering our own infirmity, we may bear the more with others.

We must be mindfull than to begin at our selues, as oft as we mynd to correcte vices: that remembring our own infirmitie, we may beare the more with others.

2 Bear you one another's burden.) A very apt speech to commend humanity, when he calleth those infirmities or faults wherewith we are diseased, Burdens. For nature doeth not teach us to help those that are overloaded. He biddeth us bear their burdens, not that we should by favouring or dissembling nourish those evils wherewith our brethren are weighed down, but rather that we should unburden them. and that is done with friendly and gentle corrections or rebukings. For there are many adulterers, which willingly would make Christ their baud: many Thieves which willingly would make Christ their Receiver: to conclude, there are many wicked naughty packs of all sorts, which willingly would make him their patron: and all (they) would lay their burdens upon the shoulders of the faithful that they should bear them. But whereas he putteth Bearing after raising up or repairing, there is no man but he may see what Bearing it is that he requireth of Christians. Fulfil the Law of Christ.) This ⟨p. 138⟩word Law while it is fitted to Christ, serveth to the circumstance of the reason. For there is a contrariety between the law of Christ and that of Moses: as if he should say, If it be a pleasure to you to observe the Law: lo, Christ doth prescribe unto you a Law, which it becometh you to prefer before all laws and that worthily: namely that we should hold mutual humanity among our selves. For he that hath not this, hath nothing. on the contrary side he saith the Law of Christ is fulfilled, whereas every one easeth his brother with mercy. whereby he showeth that all things are superfluous which belong not to charity: for the composition of the Greek word expresseth a sound and firm fulfilling. But because no man performeth in all respects that which Paul requireth, therefore we are far off all of us from perfection: and he that is least of all off in comparison of others, yet in respect of God is very far off.