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

It was sent to the Galatians from Rome.

It was sent to the Galathians from Rome.

14 God forbid.) Now he setteth the sincerity of his heart against the counsels of the false apostles: as if should say, They lest they should bear any cross be compelled to bear any cross or any affection, deny the Cross of Christ, and buy the favour of men by means of your flesh: to be brief they make a triumph of you. But my triumph and my glory is in the Cross of the Son of God. Except the Galatians had been clean without common sense, ought they not to have detested those, whom they saw so to rejoice even whilst they were in hazard? To boast in the Cross of Christ is as much as if ⟨p. 148⟩he had said in Christ crucified, but that it showeth more. for it lignifieth that death that was full of slander and reproach, yea rather accursed of GOD, that therefore which men abhor, and whereof they are ashamed, in that, he saith, he doth boast himself, because he hath a perfect felicity in the same. for whereas the chiefest felicity is, there is the glory. but why is it not else where? for although salvation be declared in the cross of Christ: what shall we say of his resurrection? I answer, that in the Cross is contained the whole redemption, and the parts thereof: but the resurrection of Christ doeth not lead us away from the Cross. Note also that he fleeth any other boasting no otherwise than a deadly evil. This word, Be it away, signifieth as much every where in Paul, as thus, God turn away this mischief, or, this monstrous thing. By which the World.) Because [Greek or Hebrew] is the Masculine Gender, the Relative in the Greek agreeth with both Christ and Cross, yet more fitly is it, in my judgement, to refer it to Cross. for by it properly do we dye to the world. And what doth World signify? without doubt it is set opposite to a new creature. Whatsoever than is contrary to the spiritual kingdom of Christ, is the World: because it belongeth to the Old man. or, that I may utter it at one word the World is as it were the object and mark of the Old man. Paul sayeth the World is crucified to him, in such a meaning as he witnesseth Philippians, Chapt. 3. ver. 8. that he accounted all things as dung. For the crucifying of the World, is the contempt and forsaking of the World. He addeth in like manner, that he is crucified to the World: