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

7 Nay rather contrariwise. They did straight way give unto him the right hands of fellowship. therefore they did give their testimony to his doctrine, and that without exception, because they brought nothing against it, as is accustomed in matters of controversy. and they professed that his and their Gospel was all one: and therefore they did vouchsafe him the honour and degree of fellow in commission with them. Moreover the manner of this fellowship was such, that they parted the Provinces or charge among them. therefore they were equal, therefore Paul was no whit under them. To give the right hands of fellowship, doth signify in this place, to be covenant fellows. When they saw the Gospel.) He doth deny the Apostles to have gratified him in this (respect) that he was by their beck or grant made an Apostle: but that the honour of the Apostleship was yielded to him by them: lest they should take away that which God had given. He doth always urge this, that he was made an Apostle by the gift and ordinance of God: but he adjoineth here in this place, that he was of the Apostles acknowledged to be such an one. and thereof it followeth that those Varlets did endeavour that which the Apostles durst not, least they should resist the election of God. And here he beginneth to challenge unto himself, that which was proper and peculiar unto him before (all) others: that is to say the Apostleship of uncircumcision. for in this point did Paul and Barnabas differ from the residue, for that they two were appointed Apostles to the Gentiles. That was brought to pass by the Oracle of God: the which to be ratified, the Apostles not only suffered it, but also willed it, because it was ungodly not to obey (it). We see than after what fashion according to the oracle they divided their offices among ⟨p. 32⟩them: that is, that Paul and Barnabas should be the Apostles of the Gentiles, and the other should be the Apostles of the Jews. Objection. But this seemeth to be against the commandment of Christ, which biddeth the twelve go into the whole world, Mar. 16.15. I answer, Answer. that this is not restrained to every one of their persons singularly, but that the end of their office is described generally: that is to say, that salvation or health might be published to all nations by the Doctrine of the Gospel.

7 Nay rather contrariwise. They did straight way giue vnto him the right handes of fellowship. therefore they didde giue their testimonye to his doctrine, and that without exception, because they brought nothing agaynste it, as is accustomed in matters of controuersie. and they professed that his and their Gospell was all one: and therefore they did vouchsafe him the honour and degree of fellow in commission with them. Moreouer the maner of this fellowship was such, that they parted the Prouinces or charge among them. therefore they were equall, therefore Paule was no whit vnder them. To giue the righte handes of fellowship, doth signifie in this place, to bee couenant fellowes. When they sawe the Gospell.) Hee doth denye the Apostles to haue gratified him in this (respect) that he was by their beck or graunt made an Apostle: but that the honoure of the Apostleship was yielded to him by them: lest they should take away that which God had giuen. He doth alwayes vrge this, that he was made an Apostle by the gifte and ordinaunce of God: but hee adioyneth here in this place, that hee was of the Apostles acknowledged to bee suche an one. and thereof it followeth that those Varlets didde indeuoure that whiche the Apostles durste not, least they should resist the election of God. And here he beginneth to challenge vnto himselfe, that whiche was proper and peculier vnto him before (all) others: that is to saye the Apostleship of vncircumcision. for in this poynte did Paule and Barnabas differ from the residue, for that they two were appoynted Apostles to the Gentils. That was brought to passe by the Oracle of God: the which to be ratifyed, the Apostles not onely suffered it, but also willed it, because it was vngodly not to obay (it). We see than after what fashion according to the oracle they deuided their offices amōg