Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Galatians
Book: Galatians
Chapter: 1
Overview:
The
Apostle Paul asserts his apostolic character against such
as lessened it.
(1-5) He reproves the
Galatians for revolting
from the
Gospel of
Christ under the influence of evil teachers.
(6-9) He proves the Divine authority of his doctrine and
mission; and declares what he was before his
Conversion and
Calling.
(10-14) And how he proceeded after it.
(15-24)
1-5 St.
Paul was an
Apostle of
Jesus Christ; he was expressly
appointed
By him, consequently
By God the
Father, who is one
with him in respect of his Divine nature, and who appointed
Christ as
Mediator.
Grace, includes
God's good-will towards us,
and his good work upon us; and peace, all that inward comfort,
or outward prosperity, which is really needful for us. They come
from
God the
Father, as the
Fountain, through
Jesus Christ. But
observe, first
Grace, and then peace; there can be
No true peace
without
Grace.
Christ gave himself for our sins, to make
Atonement for us: this the
Justice of God required, and to this
he freely submitted. Here is to be observed the infinite
greatness of the price bestowed, and then it will appear
plainly, that the power of
Sin is
So great, that it could
By No
means be
Put away except the
Son of God be given for it. He that
considers these things
Well, understands that
Sin is a thing the
most horrible that can be expressed; which ought to move us, and
make us afraid indeed. Especially
Mark Well the words, "for our
sins." For here our weak nature starts back, and would first be
made worthy
By her own
Works. It would bring him that is whole,
and not him that has need of a
Physician. Not only to redeem us
from the wrath of
God, and the
Curse of the
Law; but also to
recover us from wicked practices and customs, to which we are
naturally enslaved. But it is in vain for those who are not
delivered from this present evil world
By the
Sanctification of
the
Spirit, to expect that they are freed from its condemnation
By the
Blood of
Jesus.
6-9 Those who would establish any other way to
Heaven than what
the
Gospel of
Christ reveals, will find themselves wretchedly
mistaken. The
Apostle presses upon the
Galatians a due sense of
their guilt in forsaking the
Gospel way of
Justification; yet he
reproves with tenderness, and represents them as drawn into it
By the arts of some that troubled them. In reproving others, we
should be
Faithful, and yet endeavour to restore them in the
Spirit of
Meekness. Some would set up the
Works of the
Law in
the place of
Christ's
Righteousness, and thus they corrupted
Christianity. The
Apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, every
one who attempts to lay
So false a foundation. All other
Gospels
than that of the
Grace of
Christ, whether more flattering to
self-righteous pride, or more favourable to worldly lusts, are
devices of
Satan. And while we declare that to reject the moral
Law as a rule of
Life, tends to dishonour
Christ, and destroy
true religion, we must also declare, that all dependence for
Justification On good
Works, whether real or supposed, is as
fatal to those who persist in it. While we are zealous for good
Works, let us be careful not to
Put them in the place of
Christ's
Righteousness, and not to advance any thing which may
betray others into
So dreadful a delusion.
10-14 In preaching the
Gospel, the
Apostle sought to bring
persons to the obedience, not of men, but of
God. But
Paul would
not attempt to alter the doctrine of
Christ, either to gain
their favour, or to avoid their
Fury. In
So important a matter
we must not fear the frowns of men, nor seek their favour,
By
using words of men's
Wisdom. Concerning the manner wherein he
received the
Gospel, he had it
By Revelation from
Heaven. He was
not led to Christianity, as many are, merely
By education.
15-24 St.
Paul was wonderfully brought to the knowledge and
Faith of
Christ. All who are savingly converted, are called
By
the
Grace of
God; their
Conversion is wrought
By his power and
Grace working in them. It will but little avail us to have
Christ revealed to us, if he is not also revealed in us. He
instantly prepared to obey, without hesitating as to his worldly
interest, credit, ease, or
Life itself. And what matter of
thanksgiving and joy is it to the churches of
Christ, when they
hear of such instances to the praise of the
Glory of his
Grace,
whether they have ever seen them or not! They
Glorify God for
his power and
Mercy in saving such persons, and for all the
service to his people and cause that is done, and may be further
expected from them.