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

3 For if any man think. The construction of the words is doubtful, but the meaning of Paul is certain. For this piece, when as he is nothing, at the first show soundeth thus, If any man, who otherwise is nothing, (as many men there are of no account, and yet puffed up with a foolish persuasion of themselves) attributeth any thing to himself. but the sentence is more general: and therefore may thus be resolved, Because all men be nothing: he that will seem to be any thing, and persuadeth himself that he is somebody, he deceiveth himself. First therefore he pronounceth us to be nothing: whereby he meaneth, that we have nothing our own of which we may boast: but to be void of all goodness, that all our boasting may be mere vanity. Secondly he gathereth thereof, that they deceive themselves who challenge any thing unto themselves. and it is a very absurd thing, whereas we take nothing more in dudgeon, than to be mocked of others, that willingly we our selves will mock our selves. The thinking upon this will make us much more favourable unto others. for whereof cometh fierce triumphing over other, whereof cometh stately severity: but of this that every man extolleth himself and disdainfully despiseth others? take arrogance out of the way, and we shall all be very modest one to another.

3 For if any man thinke. The construction of the wordes is doubtfull, but the meaning of Paule is certaine. For this peece, when as he is nothing, at the first showe soundeth thus, If any man, who otherwise is nothing, (as many men there are of no account, and yet puffed vp with a foolishe perswasion of themselues) attributeth any thing to himselfe. but the sentence is more generall: and therefore maye thus bee resolued, Because all men be nothing: hee that will seeme to be any thing, and perswadeth himselfe that he is somebodye, hee deceaueth himselfe. Firste therefore hee pronounceth vs to bee nothing: whereby he meaneth, that we haue nothing our owne of which wee maye boast: but to be voyde of all goodnesse, that all our boasting may be meere vanitie. Secondely he gathereth therof, that they deceaue themselues who challenge any thing vnto themselues. and it is a very absurde thing, wheras we take nothing more in dogen, than to be mocked of others, that willingly we our selues will mock our selues. The thinking vpon this will make vs much more fauourable vnto others. for whereof commeth fierce triumphing ouer other, whereof commeth stately seueritie: but of this that euery man extolleth himselfe and disdainefully despiseth others? take arrogancie out of the way, and we shall all be very modest one to another.