only the stability of the churches, but struck a blow at the very life of Christianity, perverting and corrupting the great doctrine of justification. The result, as Paul plainly foresaw, would be a total rejection of Christianity, and the substitution of a proud and self-righteous reliance on human works. As the evils were great and were rapidly spreading, Paul adopted the most decided measures. He composed and sent an Epistle, which was adapted to meet the difficulty. It is throughout framed as an argument, bearing more or less on this fundamental position, that the ground of the sinner's acceptance and pardon, is the merits of Christ, and not the works of the law. The style of the apostle is vehement, and some of the expostulations and censures are severe; not simply because the Galatians were guilty of credulity or levity; not because they were by nature intractable, or by habits uncultivated; but because a primary article of the Christian faith was in danger; a snare was laid for the conscience, and the most alarming practical evils were coming in like a flood. If the Ephesians or Colossians had been led away in the same manner, the apostle would have been equally decisive in

applying a remedy. In itself, it was but of little importance, whether Paul was superior or equal to the other apostles. But through the person of Paul, the gospel itself was attacked. If he had suffered his apostolical authority to have been wantonly assailed, it would follow that he had previously pretended to that which did not belong to him, and thus suspicion would have been thrown over his whole character. His reluctance to allude to his personal history, may be seen by referring to 2 Cor. x. xi.; but he found it absolutely indispensable to clear himself and his doctrines from the aspersions which were cast upon them.

Brief Outline of the Argument.

The Epistle naturally divides itself into three parts.

I. The first chapter and the first fourteen verses of the second chapter, may be termed the chronological portion, in which Paul refers to various events in his life, and thereby vindicates his claims to the apostleship. In other words, he proves by indisputable facts that he was commissioned, not by human, but by divine authority. Like the other apostles, he had re

ceived his instructions, directly from Christ himself. He had been a bitter persecutor of the Christians. How could he have been changed unless by divine power or revelation? For the greater part of his life, after his conversion, he had not been personally conversant with the other apostles, and, of course, could not have been dependent on them for teaching. So far was he from being inferior to Peter, that, on an important public occasion, he himself had rebuked Peter as guilty of inconsistency. When in company with the other apostles, he had strenuously maintained his Christian liberty, and his refusal to subject himself to the Jewish yoke. Instead of being censured in this course by the other apostles, Peter, James, and John, had given to him the right hand, as a token of Christian fellowship in his missionary labors.

II. By a very natural transition, he passes, in the last verses of the second chapter, to the illustration of the great truth, that salvation is to be attained by faith alone, and not by human works. This subject occupies the whole of the third and fourth chapters. Justification by faith entirely excludes all human works. Paul's inward life was sustained by reliance on a cruci

fied Saviour. The former spiritual joys and gifts of the Galatians, had proceeded from faith in Jesus. In the same manner was Abraham justified, and all his true children, both Jews and Gentiles. Those, who rely for salvation on the law, must observe it perfectly; none do this; therefore, the curse is on all, except such as trust in Christ. The promise made to Abraham, was by no means nullified by the law, promulgated four hundred and thirty years after. The use of the law is to show men their transgressions, and the necessity of a Redeemer. Those, who adhere to the ceremonies of the Mosaic law, are in a state of minority and bondage; they do not avail themselves of the rich provisions of the gospel. This is illustrated by a reference to the different condition and privileges of Abraham's descendants by Ishmael, the child of the bond-woman, from those enjoyed by Isaac, who was the son of promise.

III. Chapters 5 and 6, may be termed the practical portion of the Epistle. The Galatians are exhorted to stand firm in Christian liberty; taking care, at the same time, not to convert that liberty into licentiousness. The appropriate fruits of the Spirit are contrasted with those

of the flesh. Exhortations to mutual kindness and universal benevolence, with various practical remarks, close the Epistle.

CHAPTER I.

1 Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead, 2 and all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia; 3 grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father; 5 to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen.

PAUL commences his Epistle with the declaration of that which was to form one of the main subjects of it-his apostleship and divine commission. This rushing at once into his theme, by an insertion in the inscription of the Epistle, is not uncommon with Paul. See Epistles to Titus and the Hebrews.