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

Chrysostom and Hierome do understand it more hardly: as though after a sort he threatened also the chief Apostles, according to this sense: Whatsoever they be, they shall not escape the judgement of God, if they go aside from their office: neither the dignity of their office, or else the estimation of men shall deliver them. But unto me this exposition seemeth plainer, and more agreeable to Pauls mind, That he granteth them to have been the first or chief in deed in order of time, but he denieth that to be any hinderance unto him, whereby he should not now hold his degree in like manner. He doeth not say, that he careth not what manner of men they be at this present, but he speaketh of the time past, in which they were already Apostles, he himself being a stranger from the faith of Christ. In sum: He will not have them judge after the time past, nor yet that that proverb should be of force in this cause: That he which is before in Time, should be more abled in Right. The person of a man.) Besides the expositions which I have already brought, this third also hath some show, That in the Worlds policy or government persons have place: but in the Spiritual kingdom of Christ they ought to give place. That is plausibly said. but the Lord speaketh of Worldly policy or government when he sayeth, Thou shalt not accept a person in judgement. Deut. the tenth Chapt. and the seventeenth ver. But I enter not into that Disputation: because it maketh nothing to this present place. for Paul doth simply understand, that that degree of Honour into which the Apostles were come before, did not let that he should not be called of GOD, and of a man of no account, should of a sudden be made equal unto them. (and) although there were great difference, that that availed nothing before God, who is not led with the accepting of persons. and whose calling is in danger of no prejudices. But this as yet he may seem to have spoken without reason: for grant that it be true.

Chrysostome and Hierome doe vnderstande it more hardlye: as though after a sort he threatned also the chiefe Apostles, according to this sence: Whatsoeuer they be, they shall not escape the iudgement of God, if they go aside from their office: neither the dignitie of their office, or else the estimation of men shall deliuer them. But vnto me this exposition seemeth plainer, and more agreeable to Paules mynde, That he graunteth them to haue bene the first or chiefe in deede in order of tyme, but hee denyeth that to be any hinderaunce vnto him, whereby he should not now holde his degree in like maner. He doeth not saye, that he careth not what maner of men they be at this presente, but hee speaketh of the time past, in whiche they were alreadye Apostles, he himselfe being a straunger from the fayth of Christ. In summe: Hee will not haue them iudge after the tyme past, nor yet that that prouerbe shoulde bee of force in this cause: That hee which is before in Tyme, shoulde be more abled in Righte. The person of a man.) Besides the expositions whiche I haue already brought, this thirde also hath some shew, That in the Worldes pollicie or gouernment persons haue place: but in the Spirituall kingdome of Christ they oughte to giue place. That is plausiblye sayde. but the Lorde speaketh of Worldelye policye or gouernment when hee sayeth, Thou shalte not accepte a person in iudgement. Deut. the tenth Chapt. and the seuenteenth ver. But I enter not into that Disputation: because it maketh nothing to this present place. for Paule doth simply vnderstande, that that degree of Honoure into whiche the Apostles were come before, didde not lette that hee shoulde not be called of GOD, and of a man of no accounte, shoulde of a sodayne be made equall vnto them. (and) although there were great difference, that that auayled nothing before God, who is not ledde with the accepting of persons. and whose calling is in daunger of no preiudices. But this as yet hee maye seeme to haue spoken withoute reason: for graunte that it bee true.