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

2 I went up according to revelation.) Here he doth approve his Apostleship and doctrine, not only by works, but also by divine oracle. For whereas God did govern that journey, the cause whereof was the confirmation of his doctrine: it is not now by the consent of men confirmed only, but also by the authority of god, which ought abundantly to break their obstinacy who did burden Paul by objecting the Apostles names, for although afore there were some shadow of contending, yet than when gods judgement setteth in foot, all quarrelling hath an end. I conferred with them. First ye must note this word Confer, for they do not prescribe unto him what he ought to teach, but he showeth what he hath taught, that they may prescribe unto him, and give their consent, because his adversaries might slanderously talk, by dissembling many things craftily, that he went about to get the Apostles favour: ⟨p. 24⟩he doth namely express that he conferred the Gospel, as he preached it among the Gentiles, whereby he turneth away all suspicion of deceit, and overthwarting. We shall see what followeth at last, for the Apostles did not think it blame worthy, in that he had begun without their commandment: but without controversy or quarrelling, they ratified that which he had done, and that by the instinction of the same spirit, who being guide, Paul came unto them. He was not therefore made of them an Apostle, but so acknowledged: but these things shall be mentioned afterward. Least by any means. What then? shall the truth of God fall, except it be staid by the testimony of men? but although the whole world be faithless, yet for all that the truth of God remaineth sure and uncorrupted, neither do they lose their labour which by the commandment of God do teach the Gospel, although they bring forth no fruit by their labour, neither do the words of Paul tend to this end: but for that, as touching men, the ministry of the word is unprofitable to doubtful and wavering consciences. To run in vain, is taken to labour without profit, when as that edifying which ought (to follow) doth not ensue. Farthermore here was a strong engine to shake weak consciences, when as the deceivers did falsely say that the Doctrine which Paul did preach, was contrary to the doctrine of the Apostles: in so much that many did fall.

2 I went vp according to reuelation.) Here he doth approue his Apostleship and doctrine, not only by workes, but also by diuine oracle. For whereas God did gouerne that iorney, ye cause whereof was the confirmation of his doctrine: it is not nowe by the consent of men confirmed only, but also by the authoritie of god, which ought aboūdantly to breake their obstinacie who did burdē Paule by obiecting ye Apostles names, for although afore ther were some shadow of cōtēding, yet thā whē gods iudgemēt setteth in foote, al quarrelling hath an end. I cōferred with thē. First ye must note this word Conferre, for they do not prescribe vnto him what he ought to teache, but he sheweth what he hath tught, yt they may prescribe vnto him, and giue their cōsent, because his aduersaries might slaunderously talk, by dissembling many things craftily, yt he wēt about to get ye Apostles fauour: