Bible Commentary

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 3. The contrast is still maintained in other terms. Here the ‘flesh’ is used for that which is external and material, compliance with outward observances, as opposed to the spiritual principle of faith. These two “are contrary the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 3:3”

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 2. Here the Apostle makes a personal appeal to their own experience. He might have adduced other arguments to shew the excellence of faith. But he confines himself to one question, which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 3:2”

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 21. The word rendered ‘frustrate’ is used in reference both to persons and things, in the sense of setting at naught, treating with utter disregard and contempt. In ch. Gal 3:15 it is used … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:21”

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 20. I am crucified ] Better, I have been crucified. The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:20”

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 19. For it was through the law, through the conviction of its inability to give life, that I became dead to the law. The law demanded a perfect obedience, as a condition of justification. This none can render; and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:19”

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 18. The edifice which St Paul had pulled down was not, as some suppose, the Levitical law of meats, or the Mosaic ceremonial law, in themselves considered. It was not, as a rule of life, but as a ground of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:18”

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 17. while we seek ] Rather, while seeking, i.e. earnestly desiring. The reference is to the time when they embraced the Gospel. Hence, for ‘are found’, read, “were found”, found … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:17”

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:16”

We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 15 18. Consider what is involved in our having embraced Christianity. We were Jews by birth, and not Gentiles, whom the Jews look down upon as ‘sinners’. We were convinced that man cannot be accounted righteous before God on the score of a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:15”

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 14. This was not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 2:14”