CHAPTER V.] COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS. 37 not only in the way I have mentioned, but in another also, for Legal observances are linked together. For example ; Circumcision has sacrifice connected with it, and the observance of days; sacrifice again has the observance both of day and of place ; place has the details of endless purifications ; purifications involve a perfect swarm of manifold observances. For it is unlawful for the unclean to sacrifice, to enter the holy shrines, to do any other such act. Thus the Law introduces many things even by the one commandment. If then thou art cir cumcised, but not on the eighth day, or on the eighth day, but no sacrifice is offered, or a sacrifice is offered, but not in the prescribed place, or in the prescribed place, but not the accustomed objects, or if theaccustomed objects, but thou be unclean, or if clean yet not purified by proper rules, every thing is frustrated. Wherefore 1 he says, "that he is a debtor to the the whole Law." Fulfil not a part, but the whole, if the Law is of force ; but if it be not of force, not even a part. Ver. 4. "Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the Law ; ye are fallen away from grace." Having established his point, he at length declares their danger of the severest punish ment. When a man recurs to the Law, which cannot save him, and falls from grace, what re mains but an inexorable retribution, the Law being powerless, and grace rejecting him? Thus having aggravated their alarm, and dis quieted their mind, and shown them all the shipwreck they were about to suffer, he opens to them the haven of grace which was near at hand. This is ever his wont, and he shows that in this quarter salvation is easy and secure, sub joining the words, Ver. 5. " For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness."2 We need none of those legal observances, he says ; faith suffices to obtain for us the Spirit, and by Him righteousness, and many and great benefits. Ver. 6. "For in Jesus Christ neithercircum cision availeth any thing,.nor uncircumcision ; 3 but faith working through love." Observe the great boldness with which he now encounters them ; Let him that hath put on Christ, he says, no longer be careful about such matters. Having before said that Circumcision was hurtful, how is it that he now considers it indifferent ? It is indifferent as to those who 1 [Perhaps Paul s reason for his statement that every one who suffers himself to be circumcised is a debtor to keep the whole Law is this Scripture which he quotes in iii : 10 : Cursed is he that con- tinueth not in all the things that are written etc. G. A.J5 [" The Holy Spirit is the divine agent and faith is the sub jective source of our expectation." Meyer. G. A.] 3 [" Circumcision and uncircumsion are circumstances of no ef fect or avail in Christianity; and yet they were in Galatiathe points on which the disturbance turned," Meyer, G. A.] had it previously to the Faith, but not as to those who are circumcised after the Faith was given. Observe too the view in which he places it, by setting it by the side of Uncircum cision it is Faith that makes the difference. As in the selection of wrestlers, whether theybehook-nosed or flat-nosed, black or white, is of no importance in their trial, it is only necessary to seek that they be strong and skilful ; so all these bodily accidents do not injure one who is to be enrolled under the New Covenant, nor does their presence assist him. What is the meaning of " working throughlove? " 4 Here he gives them a hard blow, by showing that this error had crept in because the love of Christ had not been rooted within them. For to believe is not all that is required, but also to abide in love. It is as if he had said, Had ye loved Christ as ye ought, ye would not have deserted tobondage, norabandoned Himwho re deemed you, nor treated with contumely Himwho gave you freedom. Here he also hints at those who have plotted against them, implying that they would not have dared to do so, had they felt affection towards them. He wishes too by these words to correct their course of life. Ver. 7. "Ye were running well; who did hinder you ?5 This is not an interrogation, but an expres sion of doubt and soroow. How hath such a course been cut short ? who hath been able to do this ? ye who were superior to all and in the rank of teachers, have not even continued in the position of disciples. What has happened ? who could do this ? these are rather the words of one who is exclaiming and lamenting, as he said before, " Who did bewitch you ? " (Gal. : i.) Ver. 8. " This persuasion came not of him that calleth you." He who called you, called you not to such fluctuations, he did not lay down a Law, that you should judaize. Then, that no one might ob ject, " Why do you thus magnify and aggra vate the matter by your words ; one command ment only of the Law have we kept, and yet you make this great outcry ? " hear how he ter rifies them, not by things present but future in these words : Ver. 7. "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. And thus this slight error, he says, if not cor- ,., ,.,,orative through love. Meyer G. A.] Lightfoot says: "The words 6i <iyoir)? tvcpyoviiivii bridge over the gulf which seems to separate the language of St. Paul and St. imes. Both assert a principle of practical energy as opposed to ft n thfnr\r "~C^ A 1barren theory." G. A.] * [The words a) tom s text. G. A.] irciOt<r6di are wanting in Chysos-