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

He was in very great estimation, he was received in every place with great applaudings and welcomes, wherefore if he would have pleased men, he needed not change his estate, But hereof is to be gathered that general doctrine which I spake of: Whosoever will faithfully serve Christ, they must courageously contemn the favour of men. This word, Men, hath in this place a certain note: for the Ministers or servants of Christ may not purposely desire to please men: but there are divers sorts of men. Look whom Christ is pleasant unto, let us study to please them in Christ: they that will have true Doctrine set behind their affections, them ⟨p. 14⟩in no wise must we obey. And truly this battle must always be sustained of Godly and sound Pastors, that they set nought by the offending of them, which will have what they list in all things. For the Church shall alway have Drones and wicked persons, which will prefer their own will before the word of God. Yea and the good men are sometime tempted of the Devil, so that they be angry with their Pastor that adviseth them rightly: whether they do it of ignorance, or of infirmity. It is our parts therefore not to be afraid of any offence, so that thereby we do not alienate the weak from Christ. Many do otherwise expound this place, as though it were Concessio, (that is a granting or yielding) and they think this the sense, If I did please men, Then I were not the Servant of Christ: I grant it. But who will upbraid this unto me? Who seeth not that I seek not the favour of men? But that former sense doeth more please me, in that Paul maketh mention, of how great favour of men, he hath bereft himself: that he might wholly give himself to Christ.

He was in verye great estimation, he was receiued in euerye place with great applaudings and welcomes, wherefore if he would haue pleased men, he needed not chaunge his estate, But hereof is to be gathered that generall doctrine which I spake of: Whosoeuer will faithfullye serue Christ, they must couragiously contemn the fauour of mē. This worde, Men, hath in this place a certaine note: for the Ministers or seruauntes of Christ may not purposely desyre to please men: but there are diuers sortes of men. Looke whome Christe is pleasaunt vnto, let vs study to please them in Christe: they that will haue true Doctrine set behinde their affections, them ⟨p. 14⟩