Bible Commentary

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 15. To bite and to devour is to act like wild beasts. The words are of course used figuratively to denote attacks made under the influence of evil passions, and especially through the rancour of party spirit. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:15”

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 14. ‘You would go back to bondage; there is a servitude which constitutes liberty. You desire to be under the law; there is a law the law of love to which ye will do well to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:14”

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 13 15. Liberty must not be abused 13. St Paul seems to be recurring to what he had said in Gal 5:7, the intermediate verses being a sort of parenthesis in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:13”

I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 12. The Apostle gives vent to his righteous indignation. they were even cut off ] Two explanations of this expression are given. All expositors however agree in translating the verb as a middle, not as passive. (1) ‘I would that they who are such advocates … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:12”

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased. 11. Another abrupt transition of thought, rendering the connexion obscure and uncertain. It is however evident either that a charge of inconsistency had been brought against St Paul, or that the possibility of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:11”

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 10. An abrupt return to a more favourable judgment of the Galatian converts, while strongly noting the guilt of those who sought to unsettle their faith. I have … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:10”

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 9. Leaven is that small portion of fermented dough which is introduced into the fresh lump of dough, and communicates lightness to the whole mass. It is employed figuratively in Scripture to denote the working of both good and bad influences, and is used both of persons and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:9”

This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you. 8. This persuasion ] nearly equivalent to ‘submission, obedience’. Others take it in an active sense ‘this suasion on the part of the false teachers, to which you are yielding’. The objection to this view is that ‘persuasion’ is a weak term to apply to those … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:8”

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 7. The abruptness of thought and style is a marked feature of these two chapters. It is not always possible to trace the connexion with certainty. Ye did run well ] ‘You were running nobly’. The metaphor is taken from … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:7”

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 6. Anxious to remove all possibility of a misconstruction of his meaning, St Paul gives a reason for thus connecting the inheritance with faith. The fact of being circumcised or of being uncircumcised in itself is of no … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:6”