Galatians 2

THen fourteen years after Either fourteen years after the three years before mentioned, and the fifteen days; or fourteen years after the conversion of Paul or fourteen years after the death of Christ. This journey seeming to be that mentioned Acts. 15.2. it seems rather to be understood of fourteen years after the death of Christ., I went up again to Jerusalem Motions to Ierusalem are usually in Scripture called ascendings or goings up; either because of the Mountains round about it, or in respect of the famousness of the place, see Acts 15.2. and 21.4. The occasion of this journey we have Acts 15.2, 3. It was to advise with the Apostles and Elders, about the necessity of circumcision, ver. 1. Some that came from Iudea, having taught the Disciples at Antioch, that except they were circumcised, they could not be saved. with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also Barnabas was chosen to go with Paul, verse 2. and some others, whom Luke nameth not, but it is plain by this Text Titus was one..

And I went up by revelation Revelation signifieth Gods immediate declaration of his will to him, that he would have him take this journey; which is not at all contradicted by Luke, saying, Acts 15 2, 3. That their journey was determined by the Christians at. God, to incourage Paul, had let him know it was his will he should go; and also put it into the Christians hearts at Antioch, to choose him to the journey. His motions from one place to another, were much by revelation, or immediate order, and command from God, Acts 16.9. and 22.18. and 23.11., and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles He says, he communicated, or made a report or relation of (in which sense the word is used, Acts 25.14.) that Doctrine of the Gospel which he had preached amongst the Gentiles; He doubtless more particularly means, the abolition of Circumcision, and no necessity of the observance of the Law of Moses contained in Ordinances., but privately to them which were of reputation But he says that he did it privately, and to men of Reputation; by which he meaneth the Apostles, or some other Christians of greatest eminency., lest by any means I should run, or had run in vain Lest he should have prejudiced himself, as to the course of the Gospel, which he metaphorically compareth to a race, (1 Cor. 9.26.) Object. If any ask how this influenced Paul, so as to make him privately to communicate the Doctrine which he had amongst the Gentiles preached publickly? It is easily answered, 1. That the consent of those who were Apostles before him, to the Doctrine which he preached, was of great moment to persuade all Christians to imbrace it; and by this means he obviated the scandal of being singular in the Doctrine which he preached. 2. Besides that Paul was now at Hierusalem, which was the chief place of the Jews residence, to whom God indulged a greater liberty for the ceremonial usages, then to the Churches of the Gentiles, who had not been Educated in that Religion. And had Paul openly there declared the liberty of Christians from circumcision, and the ceremonial usages, he had both inraged those who as yet continued in the Jewish Religion, and possibly given no small offence to those who had been Educated in that Religion, though they were converted to the Faith of the Gospel, they not fully yet understanding the liberty of Christians from that yoke. By one, or both of which wayes, had Paul openly at Hierusalem published the Doctrine which he had publickly preached in Damascus and Arabia, and other places of the Gentiles, his labours might have been rendred useless, and he might also have been less successful in his further course of preaching it..

But neither Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised The Apostle brings this as an instance of the Apostles at Hierusalem, agreeing with him in his Doctrine, as to the non-necessity of Circumcision, for though Titus was with him, who was a Native Gentile, being a Greek, and a Minister of the Gospel, (and possibly Paul carried him with him for an instance) yet the Apostles at Hierusalem, did not think fit to impose upon him Circumcision; no, not upon a solemn debate of that question. If any shall object that Paul himself circumcised Timothy, who was a Greek, Acts 16.1, 2. The answer is easie, the same Text letting us know that his Mother was a Iewess; and verse 3. that he did it because of the Iews in th se quarters. As to the Iews, it was matter of liberty at this time, they might, or might not be circumcised. Now in matters of this nature, where men have a liberty, they ought to have regard to circumstances, and to do that which they from a view of circumstances, judge will be most for the glory of God, the good of others, and give least offence, 1 Cor. 10.28, 29, 30, 31..

And that because of false brethren u nawares brought in He gives the reason why Circumcision was not urged upon Titus, viz because there were some got into that Meeting, where Paul debated these things with the Apostles that were at Hierusalem; who though they had embraced the Christian Religion, (and upon that account were Brethren) yet were sowred with the Jewish Leaven, and were very zealous for all Christians to observe the Jewish Rites of Circumcision, &c. Upon which account it is that he calleth them false Brethren., who came in privily to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus These (he says) came in privily, to spy out that liberty which all Christians had, and Paul had preached and used, as to these Jewish Ceremonies: Who, could they have obtained to have had Titus circumcised, they had had a great advantage to have defamed Paul, as teaching one thing to the Gentile Churches, and practising the contrary, when he came at Hierusalem to the Apostles, and amongst the Iewes. And this being a liberty which he and all Christians had, in and from Jesus Christ, he would not part with it,, that they might bring us into bondage for they aimed at nothing, but the again bringing of Christians under the bondage of the Ceremonial Law. Some may say, it being a thing wherein Christians had a liberty, why did not St. Paul yield to avoid their offence? becoming all things to all men to gain some. Answ. In the use of our liberty, all circumstances are to be con idered, as well as that of scandal and offence. The valuable opposite circumstance in this case, seemeth to be the validity and success of the Apostles Ministry, the efficacy of which would have been much weakened, if his enemies ad from hence gained an advantage to represent him, as doing one thing in one place, and the quite contrary in another. Besides, though at this time, the use or not use of the Ceremonial Rites, by the Iews, was a matter of liberty, by reason of Gods Indulgence to them for the prejudices of their Education, yet whether they were at all so to the Gentile Churches, may be doubted, see chap. 5.2, 3. Further, yet these Brethren urged the observation of these Rites, as necessary to Salvation, (as appears from Acts 15.1.) for they were of the sect of the Pharisees, verse 5. And to use them under that notion, was no matter of liberty..

To whom we gave place by subjection, no not for an hour To these Iudaizing Christians the Apostle did not think fit to yield one jot; not for the least time, nor in so much as one president.; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you Having a desire that these Gentile Churches might not be perverted. Or (as others think) to which men of Reputation we yielded not in the least: It is very probable, that Peter and Iames upon their first arguing the case, to avoid the scandal and offence of the Iews, would have had Titus circumcised: St. Paul would not yield to it, that he might preserve the Doctrine of the Gospel, which he had planted amongst the Galatians, and other Gentiles, pure, and not incumber those Churches with the Mosaical Rites: But the most, and best Interpreters rather judge the persons here mentioned, to whom Paul would not yield, to be some Judaizing Christians, rather then the persons of Reputation, mentioned ver. 2..

But of these who seemed to be somewhat The word Translated seem, is the same with that verse 2. which we there Translate of Reputation. The Apostle meaneth the ame persons that were of the greatest reputation, and so the following words to be something, do import, Act. 5.36. and 8.9. We must not understand the Apostle by this expression, to detract from the just Reputation that the Apostles, and these Eminent Christians at Hierusalem had, he only taketh notice here of them, as magnified by the false Teachers of this Church, to the lessening of himself; and as those that seem to be something, must be interpreted as relating to these mens estimation of them; [that seem to you to be something] though I seem nothing to you., whatsoever they were it maketh no matter to me; God accepteth no mans person Whatsoever they were formerly, suppose (as probably some of these Galatians had said) that they saw Christ in the flesh, were immediately called by him, when I was a Pharisee, &c. God accepteth no mans person, has no regard to what a man has been, but to what he is: When I am to confer and discourse with them, about the Doctrine which I and they had taught, I learned no new Doctrine from them, different from what I had before taught, neither did they reprove or correct me, for any thing which I had taught amiss, we were all of the same mind., for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing unto me q.

But contrariwise, when they saw They were so far from contradicting any thing that I had preached, that when they understood from me, and Barnabas, (who Acts 15.12. Declared in the counsel what miracles and wonders God had wrought amongst the Gentiles by them): that the gospel of the uncircumcision That the business of preaching the Gospel to those who were no Iews, (for that is meant by uncircumcision; not simply those that were not circumcised (for some of the Heathens were circumcised) yet all go in Scripture under the name of uncircumcised) was committed to me. was commited unto me t, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter As the preaching of the Gospel to the Iews was committed to Peter, and not to him only, but to Iames and John. It must not be so understood, as if Paul might not preach to the Jews, or Peter might not preach to the Gentiles (for the contrary is evident from Acts 9.15. as to Paul, and from Peters preaching to Cornelius, Act. 10.) but because God designed the Gentiles to be more especially the Province for Paul to exercise his ministry in Acts. 26.17. (and accordingly he was specially sent out by the Church, Acts 13.4.) as Peters chief work was among the Jews..

(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles As Pauls call was equal to that of Peter, both of them being Divine, so (says the Apostle) my ability and success was equal; as God wrought effectually in and by Peter in the discharge of his Apostleship in the Province berrusted to him, (which was preaching to the Jews.) so he wrought effectually, and mightily in me, or by me in the Province wherein I was imployed, viz. carrying the Gospel to the Gentiles This efficacious working of God both by Paul and Peter, was seen in the conversion of multitudes by their Ministry, as well as in their miraculous operations, by which they confirmed the Doctrine of the Gospel which they preached..)

And when James Iames (called the Less) the Son of Alpheus (before called the Brother of our Lord, as is thought because he was the Son of the Virgin Maries Sister:) whose naming here in the first place spoileth the Papists argument for Peters primacy, because in some other places he is first named., Cephas That is, Peter, called here Cephas in the Syriack; possibly because he is named with others, who had Syriack Names; in most places he is by this Apostle called Peter., and John Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist, who is also known by the Name ofthe Beloved Disciple., who seemed to be pillars Paul in saying they seemed to be Pillars, does not deny them to be so; being such as God made use of in the first founding and building of the Gospel-Church; as also to bear it up, (in the same sense that the Church is called the pillar and ground of truth;) and as by them the Gospel was carried out into the World, but he useth the word seemed, because the false Teachers had magnified their ministry, but disparaged his. When these, he says, perceived the grace that was given to me understood the grace given to him; by which, he either understands his Office of Apostleship, or the Crown and Seal of his Offices in the blessing which God had given to his labours amongst the Gentiles., they gave to me, and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship They looked upon him, and Barnabas, as much Pillars as themselves; and in token of it gave them their right hands, (a token of admitting into fellowship 2 Kings 10.15. Ier. 50.15.) And agreed, that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision that it should be the special work to go and preach to the Gentiles, as they, (viz. Iames, and Iohn, and Peter) would make it their special work to preach the Gospel to the Iews..

Only they would that we should remember the poor These Pillars and Apostles which have among you the greatest reputation, added no new Doctrine to us, gave us nothing new in charge; they only desired us that we would be careful wheresoever we went to make collection for the poor Christians in Iudea, who either by selling all they had to maintain the Gospel in its first plantation, or by the sharp persecution which had wasted them, or by reason of the Famine, were very low; nor was this any new thing, I had before done it and was very forward to do it again, had they said nothing to us about it., the same which I also was forward to do These Pillars and Apostles which have among you the greatest reputation, added no new Doctrine to us, gave us nothing new in charge; they only desired us that we would be careful wheresoever we went to make collection for the poor Christians in Iudea, who either by selling all they had to maintain the Gospel in its first plantation, or by the sharp persecution which had wasted them, or by reason of the Famine, were very low; nor was this any new thing, I had before done it and was very forward to do it again, had they said nothing to us about it..

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed Of this motion of Peters to Antioch, the Scripture saying nothing of it, has left Interpreters at liberty to guess variously as to the time; some judging it was before, some after the Councel held at Hierusalem, (of which we read Acts 15.) Those seem to judge best, who think it was after; for it was at Antioch, while Barnabas was with Paul; now Paul and Barnabas came from Hierusalem to Antioch, to bring thither the Decrees of that Councel; and at Antioch, Barnabas parted from Paul; after which we never read of them as being together. While Paul and Barnabas were together at Antioch, Peter came thither; where Paul says, he was so far from taking instructions from him, that he withstood him to his face. Not by any acts of violence, (though the word often expresseth such acts;) but by words reproving, and blaming him; for, (says he) he deserved it, he was to be blamed. Though the word signifies he was condemned, (which makes some to interpret it, as if Peter had met with some reprehension for his fact before Paul blamed him) yet there is no ground for it; for though the Greek participle be in the Praeterperfect Tense, yet it is an H braism, and put for a Noun Verbal, which in Latine is sometimes expressed by the Future: according to which we translate it, see 1 Cor. 1.18. 2 Cor. 2.15. 2 Pet. 2.4. so our Interpreters have truly translated it according to the sense of the Text..

For before that certain came from James It should seem that Peter had been at Antioch some time; while he was there, there came down certain Jews from Iames, who was at Hierusalem; before they came, he did eat with the Gentiles Peter had Communion with those Christians at Antioch, which were by birth Gentiles, and at meals eat as they eat, making no difference of meats, as the Iews did in obedience to the Ceremonial Law.: but, when they were come, he withdrew But as soon as these Zealots, for the Iewish rites, (though Christians,) were come, Peter withdrew from the Communion of the Gentile Christians, and, and separated himself was the head of a separate Party,, fearing them which were of the circumcision and all through fear of the Iews; lest they should at their return to Hierusalem make some report of him to his disadvantage, and expose him to the anger of the Iews..

And the other Jews The fact was the worse, because those Christians which were of the Church of Antioch, having been Native Jews, dissembled likewise with him followed his Example, and made a separate Party with him., insomuch, that Barnabas also was carryed away with their dissimulation Nay, Barnabas my fellow-labourer, who was joyned with me in bringing the Decrees of the Councel in the case, was carried away with their Dissimulation. So dangerous and exemplary are the warpings and miscarriages of those that are eminent Teachers..

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly, according to the truth of the Gospel Uprightly, here is opposed to halting. Peter halted betwixt two opinions, (as Elijah sometime told the Israelites) when he was with the Gentiles alone, he did as they did, using the li rty of the Gospel; but when the Jews came from Hierusalem, e left the Gentile-Church, and joyned with the Jews; this was ot according to that plainness and sincerity which the Gospel required; he did not, (according to the precept he held Heb. 12.13.) Make strait paths to his feet, left that which is lame be turned out of the way. Paul not hearing this from the report of others, but being an eye-witness to it, does not defer the reproof, lest the scandal should grow: Nor, I said unto Peter before them all does he reprove him privately, because the offence was publick, and such a laster would not have fi ted the sore, but he speaketh unto Peter before them all, rebuking him openly, because he sinned openly; and by this action had not offended a private person, but the Church in the place where he was; who were all Eye-witnesses of his halting, and prevarication. 1 Tim. 5 20., If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews If thou, who art a Jew, not by Religion only, but by Birth, and Education, hast formerly lived, eat, and drank, and had communion with the Gentiles in the omission of the observance of Circumcision, and other Jewish rites, generally observed by those of their Synagogues; (as Peter had done before the Jews came from Hierusalem to Antioch.), why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews Why dost thou by thy example compel the members of a Gentile-Church to observe the Jewish rites; for compelling here does not signifie any act of violence, (Peter used none such,) but the example of leaders in the Church, who are persons of reputation and authority, is a kind of compulsion to those that are inferiours, and who have a great veneration for such leaders. So the word here used, is used in 2 Cor. 12.11. as also to express the force of exhortations and arguments. Of such a compulsion the word is used, Luk. 14.23. Peter by his example, and possibly by some words and arguments he used, potently moved those profelyted Jews, who were in communion with the Churches of Galatia, to observe the Jewish rites, so so that by this fact, he did not only contradict himself, who by his former walking with the Gentile-Church h d practically asserted the Gospel liberty; but he also scandalized those Christians in these Churches who stood fast in the liberty which Christ had purchased for them, and Paul had taught them; and also drew others away from the Truth they had owned, and practised. This was the cause of Pauls so open and publick reproof of him.?

We who are Jews by nature Born Jews, not only pro elyted to the Jewish Religion, (and so under an obligation to the observation of the Jewish Law;) but of the seed of Abraham, and so under the Covenant made with him and his seed, as he was the Father of the Jewish Nation., and not sinners of the Gentiles Not sinners of the Gentiles. The Gentiles were ordinarily called by the Jews sinners; though it appeareth that there were divers of them worshippers of the true God, and came up to Ierusalem to worship; for whose sake there was a peculiar Court allotted in the Temple, called The Court of the Gentiles. Yet not being under the obligation of the Jewish Law, they went under the denomination of sinners by the Jews; and the most of the Gentiles were really sinners, and that eminently; (for such the word here used ordinarily signifieth,) as the Apostle describeth their manners, Rom. 1.29, 30, 31.,

Knowing that a man is not justified We knowing that a man is not absolved from the guilt of sin, and declared righteous in the sight of God., by the works of the Law By any kind of works done in obedience to the Law of Moses, whether Ceremonial, or Moral. For it is manifest, that although this question about justification by works began about Circumcision and works done in obedience to the Ceremonial Law, yet the determination of it extended further. For the Apostle by the Law understands that Law by which is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3.20. Now the knowledge of sin, is neither only nor chiefly by the Ceremonial Law: Nor did ever any of those against whom the Apostle argueth, think, that men could be justifyed by obedience only to the Law contained in Ordinances; nor could boasting be excluded, (which the Apostle shows Rom. 3.27. was Gods design in fixing the way of a sinners justification,) if men might be justified by works done in obedience to the Moral Law, nor was it the Ceremonial Law only, the violation of which works wrath, Rom. 4.15. or disobedience to which brought men under the curse, chap. 3.10., but by the faith of Jesus Christ But we are justified by believing in Christ; not by Faith as it is a work of ours, (for that was denyed before;.) nor by Faith as a principal efficient cause, for in that sense it is God that justifieth; nor as a meritorious cause, for so we are justified by the blood of Christ, but by Faith, as an instrument apprehending and applying Christ and his righteousness., 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 We (says the Apostle) that are Jews, knowing this, have not only assented to the truth of the Gospel proposition, but accepted of this way of Salvation, and received the Lord Jesus; that we so doing, not trusting to the Law, or any obedience of ours to it might be absolved from the guilt of sin, and declared righteous before God., for, by the works of the law shall no flesh be justifyed For no mortal man shall ever be absolved or declared righteous upon his own personal obedience to the Law of God; being in the best imperfect, and much short of what the Law requireth..

But if while we seek to be justified by Christ, we our selves also are found sinners Some Interpreters think, that the Apostle here begins his Discourse to the Galatians upon the main argument of his Epistle, viz. Justification by Faith in Christ; though others think it began ver. 15. If (says the Apostle,) you make us grievous offenders in our expectation of being justified by Christ and not by the works of the Law:, i therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid You make Christ the Minister of sin, who has taught us this. But others think that the Apostle here obviateth a common objection which was then made, (as it is also in our age) against the Doctrine of Justification by Faith in Christ; viz. That it opens a door of liberty to the flesh, and so makes Christ a Minister of sin; as if he relaxed mens obligation to the Law of God; which is the same objection which the Apostle answered in his Epistle to the Romans; chap. 6. If while we plead for justification by Christ, we live in a course of notorious disobedience to the Law of God, then Christ must be to us a Minister of sin, and come into the World to purchase for us a possibility of Salvation, though we live in never so much notorious disobedience to the Law of God. As if there were no obligation upon men to keep the Law, unless by their obedience to it, they might obtain pardon of sin and justification. This calumny the Apostle accords: First, By a general Aversation, God forbid!.

For if I build again the things By the things which he destroyed, Some understand the state of sin; and from hence conclude the mutability of a state of Justification: But there is no need of that, it may as well be understood of a constant course, and voluntary acts of sin. If I teach a Doctrine that shall incourage a sinful life, or if I should live in a course of sin, these are the things,, which I destroyed which I as a Minister of Christ, have in my preaching an Doctrine destroyed, teaching you, that not only the guilt of your sins was removed upon your Justification by Christ, but the dominion of sin also destroyed: And they are things which Iustification destroyeth; God never saying to any soul, Thy sins are forgiven thee, without adding, sin no more. So as if a justified state would admit of a going on in a setled course of sin, it would build what it destroyed., I make my self a transgressour Now should I, or any one, do any such thing, we should thereby make our selves great Transgressors: So as the Apostles Argument here seemeth to be the same with that Rom. 6.2. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? He strives at the same thing here, viz. to prove that the Doctrine of Justification by Faith in Christ, could not give a liberty to any to sin, because it shows persons made partakers of that grace, that they are freed, not only from the guilt, but also from the power and dominion of sin, so as that none can from it receive any comfort, as to the former, nor find the latter wrought in them..

For I through the law Through the law of Christ, (as some say) or rather, through the Law of Moses, (of which he had been before speaking) That is, (say some) through the death of the Law: The Law it self being dead, as a covenant of works: (Rom. 7.1.) Or rather, by means of the Law, giving me a knowledge of sin, and condemning me for sin. am dead to the law Am dead to the Law; as to any expectation of being justified by obedience to it., that I might live unto God Not that I might live in disobedience to it, as it is a rule of life, but that I might live more holily unto God: So as my being dead to the Law, as a covenant of works, or as to any expectation of being justified from my obedience to it, gives me no liberty to sin at all; for this is the end why God has freed me from the bondage and rigour of the Law, that I might live unto him, and serve him without fear; in Holiness and Righteousness..

I am crucified with Christ This Epistle is much of the same nature with that to the Romans, and the substance of what the Apostle says in the latter part of this chapter, agreeth much with the sixth chapter of that Epistle; where we find an expression much like to this verse 6. Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. I am (says the Apostle) Crucified with Christ, not only by Iustification made partaker of the benefits coming by a Christ Crucified, but also as having Communion with the death of Christ, in the mortification of my lusts. A figure of which (as he informeth us, Rom. 6,) we have in Baptism, verse 4. Buried with him by Baptism into death.; Nevertheless I live Yet (says he) I live an Holy, Spiritual Life; though dead to the Law, and though crucified with Christ:; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me But I cannot say so properly that it is I, for my motions are not according to my natural propensions and inclinations; but Christ by his Spirit liveth in me, having renewed and changed me, made me a new creature, and begot new motions and inclinations in me. And though I live in the flesh,, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God yet I live by the Faith of the Son of God: All my natural, moral and civil actions, being principled in Faith, and done according to the guidance of the rule of Faith in Jesus Christ., who loved me, and gave himself for me Of whom I am persuaded, that he loved me, and from that love gave himself, to dye upon the cross for me..

I do not frustrate the grace of God I do not despise, reject, make void (for by all these words the word here used is Translated; Mark 7.9. Iohn 12.48. chap. 3.15. Heb. 10.28.) the free love of God, in giving his Son to dye for our sins: From whence is easily gathered, that those who live a loose life, and take a liberty to sin from their Justification, or from the free grace of God in Christ; they do contemn and despise the Grace of God: Or rather, (if we refer it to the following words) those who assert Justification by the works of the Law, they do reject and despise the free grace of God in the Gospel, and (as much as in them lyes) make it vain and frustrate., for if righteousness come by the law For if it be possible, that a man by works done in obedience to the Law, should arrive at a Righteousness, in which he may stand before God,, then is Christ dead in vain there Christ dyed to no purpose, or without any just cause; the reason of this must be, because it was the main and principal end of Christs death, to procure or purchase a Righteousness, wherein sinners might stand before God, to bring in an everlasting Righteousness Dan. 9.27. If the most proper effect of the death of Christ be taken away, then his death is made causless, and to no purpose. Thus the Apostle concludeth his Thesis, laid down verse 16. That none shall be justified by the works of the Law, from two absurdities that would follow upon the contrary, viz. Iustification by the works of the Law, the rejection of the grace of God, and the frustration, or making void of the death of Christ..