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

6 From them which seemed.) Paul is not as yet content, except the Galatians do also know, that he learned nothing of Peter and the Apostles. hereof it is that Porphirius and Julianus accuse the holy man of pride, because he doth take so much upon him. that he may not away to learn any thing of other: because he boasteth himself to be made a teacher or Doctor, having no master or helper: because he so greatly endeavoureth to seem inferior to no man. But whosoever shall consider how necessary this boasting was, will acknowledge that it was holy and worthy of very great praise. For if he had granted this to his adversaries. that he had profited under the Apostles, he had armed them with two slanders: for by and by they would have said, At length thou hast something profited, that thou mightst correct that which thou haddest before offended (in) and that thou mightst pluck back thy foot from thy rash enterprise. So first of all his whole doctrine of former time should have ben suspected, & his building cast down, secondarily in time to come also he should have had less authority or estimation, because he should have ben taken for a common disciple. We see than that he is carried away into this holy boasting, not so much for his own cause, as by a necessity of avouching his doctrine. Here is not contention of ambition, for that in no wise he reasoneth about the Persons: but Paul will not that his Apostleship, unto which the authority of his doctrine was adjoined, should be blemished with the greatness of any man. And if this be not enough to stop those dogs mouths, yet doth it sufficiently confute their barking.

6 From them which seemed.) Paule is not as yet content, except the Galathians doe also know, that he learned nothing of Peter and the Apostles. hereof it is that Porphirius and Iulianus acccuse the holy man of pride, because he doth take so much vpon him. that he may not away to learne any thing of other: because he boasteth himself to be made a teacher or Doctor, hauing no mayster or helper: because he so greatly indeauoreth to seeme inferior to no man. But whosoeuer shall consider how necessary this boasting was, will acknowledge that it was holye and worthye of very great prayse. For if hee had graunted this to his aduersaries. that he had profited vnder the Apostles, hee had armed them with two slaunders: for by and by they would haue sayde, At length thou hast something profited, that thou mightst correct that which thou haddest before offended (in) and that thou mightst pluck back thy foote frō thy rash enterprise. So first of al his whole doctrine of former time should haue ben suspected, & his building cast down, secondarily in time to come also he should haue had lesse authoritie or estimation, because he shold haue ben takē for a cōmon disciple. We see thā yt he is caried away into this holy bosting, not so much for his own cause, as by a necessitie of auouching his doctrine. Here is not contention of ambition, for that in no wise hee reasoneth aboute the Persons: but Paule will not that his Apostleship, vnto which the authority of his doctrine was adioined, should be blemished with ye greatnesse of any man. And if this be not ynough to stop those dogs mouths, yet doth it sufficiētly confute their barking.