passage altogether unintelligible. But if the word which we render "persuade" were translated " obey" (as it is translated in other parts of this very epistle0), I conceive that the sense would be more clear. Let it be remembered, that the Apostle, previously to his conversion, had sought to please men, and, under their authority, had opposed to the uttermost the cause of Christ d. Now he laboured, with no less zeal, to maintain that cause ; and denounced a curse, even against an angel from heaven, if one should be found presumptuous enough to oppose it. But was he now actuated by the same motives as he was before ? Did he now act under the authority of men, or seek to please men ? Was he not rather acting in obedience to God ? It was clear that he was not pleasing men, nor could possibly have any such object in view ; because men's wishes were in direct opposition to God's commands, and to the ministra- tions which he felt it his duty to maintain : and if he would please and obey man, he could not be the servant of Christ.
That this is the real meaning of the passage ap- pears, both from the terms which are used, and from the relation which the different parts of this verse bear to each other. The Apostle says, " Do I now obey mane?" I did formerly; but I do not now: " for if I yet1 pleased man, I could not be the servant of Christ." Here, you will perceive, the two services are opposed to each other, and declared to be incon- sistent with each other g. And this not only makes the sense clear, but cuts off all occasion for supplying an ellipsis, in a way which one would not wish, and which, in my opinion, can scarcely be justified. As to the text itself, that, in its import at least, is per- fectly intelligible : and, in opening it, I shall,
I. Confirm the Apostle's assertion —
We shall have no doubt of its truth, if we consider the grounds on which it stands :
c Gal. iii. 1. and v. 7. d Acts ix. 1, 2.
e (ipri, at this present time. f trt.
s avBpioirovc nttdto is put in opposition to Xoiotou CovKoc. VOL. XVII. C