AD GALATAS CAP. I.

Argument and arrangement of the epistle. Exordium. The moderation and prudence of D. Paul.

To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.) Just as where the name of a king or prince is mentioned, those standing around are accustomed to give some sign of honor with a gesture: So it is familiar to the Hebrews: and Christians ought rightly to imitate the same, to append a prayer or thanksgiving after a magnificent commemoration of unity or divine benefits: an example of which thing Paul offers us here. The word Amen, although not used in other exordiums, is nevertheless opportunely added to every thanksgiving: some think it escaped him with a certain heat and vehemence of spirit. Therefore, in this epigraph, the arrangement and argument of the whole epistle is somehow exposed and, at least, indicated in passing. For first he asserted that he is a true apostle called immediately by God. Then, that we are justified or saved through the death of Christ, not through any of our works. From this, through the death of Christ, we are liberated from the evil world, that is, from the custom and power of sins, so that we may diligently apply ourselves to works of piety and justice.

I marvel that you are so soon transferred from Christ, who called you by grace, into another Gospel, which is not another, except that there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel to you, &c.

1. Particle has emphasis of exaggeration. The church can sometimes be seduced by Satan through witnesses and members, see the whole second chapter. 2. Particle transferamini [you are being transferred] exaggerating. He uses the present tense for the hope of reduction to integrity. Metaphor from planting trees. 3. Particle of exaggeration. To desert from Christ is a horrific thing.

He begins with marveling, and this is a place of attention (as orators are also often accustomed to do:) by which he also gravely notes the sin through them, and indeed more so than he would ever have thought such a thing was to be expected from them: nor does he express an affect that is still paternal, as if condoling rather than indignant. Everything is indeed stirred up and very stinging, but the measure of decorum is not yet exceeded. For he could have undoubtedly begun with greater vehemence, and treated them more harshly either by exclaiming or by rebuking: But the most prudent physician knew the mind, and that a bitter medicine should not yet be applied where the business can be finished with sweet drugs. Therefore, that he might not exasperate them rather than bend them, with the greatest prudence, gentleness, and mildness, as befits a spiritual man (concerning which he himself gives instructions in the sixth chapter of this epistle), he approaches them, saying: I marvel that you are so soon transferred. Note, however, in these words some cause for marveling, in that particle soon from the circumstance of time, namely, that they had been so soon transferred. After a long time and very heavy temptations, it sometimes happens that minds are slightly relaxed from their first fervor; but to surrender themselves immediately at the first onset to the opposing party is a thing to be marveled at, and is not without a note of inconstancy and pusillanimity. Therefore, we see here that the church and sound doctrine, however well instituted, yet when they are fresh, can still be very quickly infected and subverted by Satan and his ministers. Wherefore pious ministers of churches ought to understand that they must watch assiduously, lest before they have well planted and promoted the gospel, others creep in who alienate the pious from sound doctrine. And if this happens, they should not be cast down in spirit, but consider that they themselves are not transferring, but that they are being transferred, having been seduced and, as it were, captured by others, and therefore their error is especially to be imputed to others. The Greek word metatithesthe is derived from the verb metatithemi, which is to retract, to change an opinion, and to transpose: so that there seems to be an allusion to the transplanting of plants, which, when they are transplanted, with the soil and climate changed, sometimes change the strength of their nature. And thus the Galatians, through the pseudo-apostles, were changed from Christians into Jews, or at least became judaizing Christians. He explains, however, from where they were transferred, and to where:

From Christ who called you by grace, into another Gospel.) The codices of some interpreters, such as Chrysostom and others, have: from him who called you into the grace of Christ, and in Greek it is read apo tou kalesantos umas chariti christou, so that the calling is attributed to God the Father, according to that, No one comes to me unless the Father draws him: but it is no less elegantly translated, From Christ, who called you by grace: so that the power of calling is also granted to Christ. For although it is frequently to the Father,