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

Upon the Israel of God. He mocketh after a sort the vain boasting of the false Apostles, who bragged that they were lineally descended from Abraham. He hath made therefore two Israels, one that is counterfeit which appeareth in the sight of man: and another of God. Circumcision was a visard in the sight of men: but regeneration, was the very thing it self in the sight of God. To conclude, he now calleth them the Israel of God, whom before he called the sons of Abraham by faith: and so he comprehendeth the faithful, which were grown together into one church, as well of the Gentiles, as of the Jews. On the contrary side Israel that is of the flesh boasteth his only kindred and name, of which he entreateth, Rom. Chapt. 9. ver. 17.

Vpon the Israell of God. Hee mocketh after a sort the vayn boasting of the false Apostles, who bragged that they were lineally descended from Abraham. He hath made therefore two Israels, one that is counterfeite whiche appeareth in the sighte of man: and another of God. Circumcision was a visarde in the sight of men: but regeneration, was the verye thing it selfe in the sight of God. To conclude, he now calleth them the Israell of God, whom before he called the sonnes of Abraham by faith: and so he comprehendeth the faythfull, which were growne together into one church, as well of the Gentils, as of the Iewes. On the contrary side Israell that is of the flesh boasteth his onlye kindred and name, of whiche he entreateth, Rom. Chapt. 9. ver. 17.

17 Let no man work me grief. Here he taketh upon him his authority to bridle the adversaries. for as in the title of superiority he pronounceth this, Let them leave troubling me in the course of my preaching. He was ready to suffer troubles for every ones sake: but he would not be troubled with contradictions. Therefore to work grief, is to gaineset themselves to trouble the proceedings of his labour. He saith, In the residue, namely except in a new creature: in this sense, That one thing is enough to me: as for the residue, because they belong not to the purpose, I regard them not. let no man therefore move any question unto me about these matters. And he extolleth himself above all men, granting no man to be so bold, to gainsay his ministry or office. Word for word it is, the rest, or the residue, which, Erasmus in mine opinion hath ill translated, henceforth.