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

3 But neither Titus.) He proveth by another reason, that the Apostles are not of contrary judgement unto him: for he brought unto them a man uncircumcised, whom they doubted not to acknowledge as a brother. He addeth a cause why he was not circumcised:¹ for whereas circumcision was a mean thing or a thing indifferent, it might be either omitted or used as it served to edify. We must alway hold fast that rule, If all things are lawful unto us, that we see what is expedient. Therefore did he circumcise Timothy, least his uncircumcision might be an offence unto the weak, for at that time he was conversant among the weak, whom he ought to favour. And he would gladly have done the same in Titus: so never wearied was he in bearing with the weak: but the reason was contrary: for certain false brethren were ready to take occasion to slander his doctrine, which straight way would have spread abroad (this) report, Behold this so bold a defender of liberty, as soon as he cometh into the Apostles sight, he layeth down that manly courage & fierceness wherewith he is puffed (up) among the unlearned. As it is meet for us to temper our selves toward the weak, so must we stoutly resist the malignant, & those that of set purpose do lay to entrap our liberty, neither ought the duties of Charity hinder the offices of Faith. Charity than in the use of things that are indifferent or mean, shall be a very good moderator, if only first you have respect of faith.

3 But neither Titus.) He proueth by another reason, that the Apostles are not of contrary iudgemēt vnto him: for he brought vnto thē a man vncircumcised, whō they doubted not to acknowledge as a brother. He addeth a cause why he was not circumcised:¹ for wheras circumcision was a meane thing or a thing indifferēt, it might be either omitted or vsed as it serued to edifie. We must alwaye holde fast that rule, If all thinges are lawful vnto vs, that we see what is expedient. Therefore did hee circumcise Timothie, least his vncircumsion might be an offēce vnto the weake, for at that time he was conuersante among the weake, whome he ought to fauour. And he would gladlye haue done the same in Titus: so neuer wearied was hee in bearing with the weake: but the reason was contrary: for certain false bretheren were ready to take occasion to slaunder his doctrine, which straight waye would haue spread abroade (this) reporte, Beholde this so bolde a defender of libertye, as soone as he commeth into the Apostles sight, he layeth downe that manlye courage & fiercenesse wherewith he is puffed (vp) among ye vnlearned. As it is meete for vs to temper our selues toward ye weake, so must we stoutly resist the malignaunt, & those that of set purpose do lay to entrap our libertie, neither ought the dueties of Charitie hinder the offices of Fayth. Charitie than in the vse of thinges that are indifferent or meane, shall be a verye good moderator, if only first you haue respect of fayth.