appetites, shall from such a course, reap corruption: Whereas he who soweth into his spirit, the good seed of knowledge and virtue, shall from that course reap life everlasting, ver. 8.—And therefore he exhorted the Galatians whilst they had opportunity, to do good to all, especially to them who were of the household of faith, ver. 9, 10.-Next, he desired them to consider what pains he had taken, in writing so large a letter to them with his own hand, to secure them against the sophistry of the false teachers, ver. 11.-And having recalled these impostors to his thoughts, he could not finish his letter without observing, that the earnestness with which they pressed circumcision, proceeded entirely from their desire to live in pleasure, and to avoid persecution for preaching salvation through a crucified Messiah, ver. 12. To prove this, he assured the Galatians, that these circumcised teachers did not themselves keep the law; but they wished them to be circumcised, that they might boast among the unbelieving Jews, of their having proselyted them to Judaism, ver. 13. But with respect to himself, he told them, that he had no worldly views whatever in converting them, and never wished to boast in any thing, but in the doctrine of salvation through the cross of Christ, by which the world was crucified to him, and he to the world, ver. 14. Then declared a second time, (see chap. v. 6.) that under the gospel, neither circumcision. availeth any thing towards our acceptance with God, nor uncircumcision, but an entire change of principles, dispositions, and actions, ver. 15.-And wished peace and mercy to all who sought justification by that rule; namely, by becoming new creatures. For such were the Israel of God, the spiritual seed of Abraham, to whom the promises belonged, ver. 16.-And having in this epistle plainly declared, and fully established the doctrine of justification by faith, he forbade the false teachers to trouble him any more on account of that doctrine, as he bare on his body marks of his sufferings for the gospel, whereby his sincerity in the things which he preached, was put beyond all doubt, ver. 17.-Then concluded, with giving the Galatians his apostolical benediction, ver. 18. NEW TRANSLATION. CHAP. VI. 1 Also, brethren, if a man be sur-, prised into any fault, ye COMMENTARY. CHAP. VI. 1 Also, brethren, if any member of your churches, through the strength of temptation, or the of those sins which men commit without previous deliberation; as is plain likewise from the reason subjoined, Lest even thou be tempted. ritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one'another's ραπτωματι, ὑμεῖς ὁι πνευματικοι καταρτίζετε τον τοιουτον εν πνευματι πραότητος, σκοπων σεαυτον, μη και συ πειρασης. 2. Αλληλων τα βαρη βα burdens, and so fulfil the ςαζετε, και έτως αναπλη law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. 6 Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. ρώσατε τον νομον του Χριςου. 3 Ει γαρ δοκει τις είναι τί, μηδεν ων, ἑαυτον φρενα πατα. 4 Το δε εργον ἑαυτου δου κιμαζετω έκαςος, και τοτε εις ἑαυτον μονον το καυχημα έξει, και ουκ εις τον ἑτερον. 5 Εκαςος γαρ το ιδιον φορτον βαςασει. 6 Κοινωνείτω δε ὁ κατη χουμενος τον λογον τῷ κατη χουντι, εν πασιν αγαθοις. 2. Ye the spiritual men restore. Καταρτίζετε. See Ephes. iv. 12. note 1. According to Locke, Chandler, and others, πνευματικοι, the spiritual men, were those among the Galatians who were eminent for their knowledge and goodness. But I rather think they were persons who possessed the spiritual gifts, 1 Cor. xiv. 37. and to whom it belonged to instruct, admonish, and rebuke others. For the teachers and rulers were generally chosen from among the first converts, on whom the spiritual gifts were bestowed in the greatest plenty. 3. Taking a view of thyself. There is a great beauty in thus suddenly changing the discourse, from the Galatian spiritual men to the reader him. self. It rouses his attention, and carries the exhortation home to him with peculiar force. 4. Lest even thou be tempted; that is, fall by temptation: the cause being here put for the effect. The consciousness of our own frailty should dispose us to be merciful towards those who sin. Ver. 2.—1. Bear ye one another's burdens. This is an allusion to the custom of travellers, who when too heavily laden with their baggage, relieve one another by bearing the burdens of the weak or fatigued, and in that manner shew their good disposition towards each other. frailty of his own nature, is surprised into any work of the "flesh, ye who are teachers and rulers, restore such a person to his proper place in Christ's body, the church, by meek instructions and affectionate rebukes: and thou who readest, take a view of thine own frailty, lest even thou fall by temptation. 2 Instead of rebuking one another with harshness, sympathize with one another in every distress; and thus fulfil the law of Christ, which enjoins benevolence even to those who fall into sin. 3 For if any one thinking highly of himself, is immoderately severe towards his brethren, when they fall into sin, and does not assist the distressed, such a person, being nothing, deceiveth himself in thinking himself better than others. 4 But, the worth of a man being shewn by his works; let every one try his own work, rather than the work of others, and if good, then he shall have boasting in himself alone, and not in another as worse than him. 5 To bring your actions to the trial, is absolutely necessary; for every one, at the judgment, shall answer for his own actions only. 6 Now let him who is instructed in the doctrines and precepts of the gospel, impart a share of all the good things he enjoys to the instructer. By this good work, ye may have matter of boasting in yourselves, ver. 4. Ver. 4.-1. Have boasting in himself alone, and not in another. Locke thinks, the boasting in another, here condemned, was the boasting of the 7 Be not deceived; God 7 Μη πλανάσθε Θεός ου is not mocked: for what- μυκτηρίζεται soever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto thom who are of the household of faith. 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. γαρ εαν τουτο και σπειρη ανθρωπος, τούτο 8 Ότι ὁ σπειρων εις την σαρκα ἑαυτου, εκ της σαρκος περισει φθοραν• ὁ δε σπειρων εις το πνευμα, εκ του πνευματος περισει ζωήν αιώνιον. 9 Το δε καλον ποιούντες μη εκκακωμεν· καιρῷ γαρ ιδιῳ περισομεν, μη εκλυομενοι. 10 Αρα ουν ὡς χαιρον εχου μεν, εργαζώμεθα το αγαπου προς παντας, μαλιςα δε προς τους οικείους της πιςεως. 11 Ιδετε πηλικοις ύμιν γραμμασιν έγραψα τη εμπ χειρι. false teachers in those they had persuaded to receive circumcision, ver. 13, But the context doth not favour that interpretation. Ver. 6-1. Communicate of all good things to the instructer. If the teachers who by the spiritual gifts were supernaturally qualified to instruct others, deserved to be liberally maintained, how much more is a liberal maintenance due to those, who not possessing the spiritual gifts, are obliged to spend a great deal of time and money in fitting themselves for their office, and who employ themselves assiduously in discharging it? Ver. 8. 1. Who soweth into his own flesh. In this passage the apostle considers the human body and mind, as fields into which seed is cast, and which produce fruit according to the nature and measure of the seed sown on them; and by this similitude hath shewn, that there is an unalterable connection between vice, continued in, here, and misery hereafter. Ver. 10.-1. Let us work good to all, but especially to them who are of the bousehold of faith. Every man's first duty is to provide for those whom God hath more immediately committed to his care, namely, his wife and children, and near relations. And if, besides taking care of them, he is able to assist others, he should, when there is a competition between the objects 7 To maintain thèm who teach you, is your duty. Therefore do not deceive yourselves, God will not be mocked: For, as in the natural so in the moral world, whatever a man soweth, that also he shall reap. 8 Therefore he who, by spending his time and wealth in gratifying his sensual desires, soweth into his own flesh, shall from such a sensual life,reap corruption; the utter destruction of his soul and body. But he who by spending his time and wealth in improving his mind, and in doing good to others, soweth into his spirit, shall, from such sowing into the spirit, assuredly reap life everlasting. 9 Wherefore, having such a prospect, let us not flag in improving our own minds, and in doing good to others For in the proper season, namely at the judgment, we shall reap, (ver. 8.) the blessed harvest of everlasting life, if we faint not. 10 Certainly then, while the season of sowing lasteth, let us work good to all men, whatever their country or their religion may be, but especially to them who are of the family of God by faith for considering our persecuted state, we ought to be very attentive in succouring one another. 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand. By this ye may understand my anxiety to preserve you in the true faith of the gospel, to be relieved, prefer those who in their prosperity relieved others, and whose characters are virtuous. These are the members of the household of faith, of whom the apostle speaks. Yet the vicious are not to be wholly overlooked in their distresses. They ought to be relieved by the charitable but not in such a manner as to prevent them altogether from feeling the evil consequences of their sinful courses. For, as misery is appointed : |