12. They were cut off (azroxéyovrar). More correctly, would cut themselves off. Perhaps the severest expression in Paul’s Epistles. It turns on the practice of circumcision. Paul says in effect: ‘These people are disturbing you by insisting on circumcision. I would that they would make thorough work of it in their own case, and, instead of merely amputating the foreskin, would castrate themselves, as heathen priests do. Perhaps that would be even a more powerful help to salvation.” With this passage should be compared Philip. iii. 2, 8, also aimed at the Judaisers: “ Beware of the conci- sion” (tThv Katatouny), the word directing attention to the fact that these persons had no right to claim circumcision in the true sense. Unaccompanied by faith, love, and obedience, circumcision was no more than physical mutilation. They belonged in the category of those referred to in Lev. xxi. 5. Comp. Paul’s words on the true circumcision, Rom. ii. 28, 2UcerhMip ail. os Coli 4:
Which trouble (avactatodyres). Only here in Paul, and twice elsewhere, Acts xvil. 6; xxi. 88. CLXX. Stronger than tapaooeyv disturb. Rather to upset or overthrow. The usual phrase in Class. is avdotarov roveiv to make an upset. Used of driving out from home, ruining a city or country. See on madest an uproar, Acts xxi. 88. Rey. unsettle is too weak.
13. For (yap). Well may I speak thus strongly of those who thus overthrow your whole polity and enslave you, for ye are called for freedom.
Unto liberty (é7 édevGepia). Better, for freedom. See on unto uncleanness, 1 Th. iv. T. ’Emt marks the intention.
Only (uovov). Fora similar use of the word, qualifying or limiting a general statement, comp. 1 Cor. vii. 89; Gal. M03 Philips i. 2ie saul Sie
Cu. V.] THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. 163
Use not liberty (rv édXevdepiav). Use is not in the Greek. We may supply hold or make or turn.
Occasion (agopujv). See on Rom. vii. 8. Almost exclus- ively in Paul.
To the flesh (rn capxi). See on Rom. vii. 5. The flesh here represents lovelessness and selfishness. Christian free- dom is not to be abused for selfish ends. Paul treats this subject at length in 1 Cor. vili.; xii. 25,26. Individual lib- erty is subject to the law of love and mutual service. Comp. 1 Pet. ii. 16. .
By love (dia ris aydrns). Or through love, through which faith works (ver. 6).
14. All the law (6 was vdépos). More correctly, the whole law. Comp. Matt. xxii. 40.
Is fulfilled (verAnpwra). Has been fulfilled. Comp. Rom. xiii. 8. The meaning is not embraced in, or summed’ up in, but complied with. In Rom. xiii. 9, avaxepadatodrat is summed up, is to be distinguished from wemArjpwxev hath fulfilled (ver. 8) and wAnpopa fulfilment (ver. 10). The difference is between statement and accomplishment. See. on do the law, ver. 3.
15.. Bite and devour (ddxvere cal xatecOlere). Strong: expressions of partisan hatred exerting itself for mutual injury. Adve to bite, N. T.°... In LXX metaphorically, Mic. iii. 5; Hab. ii. 7. For catecOlew devour, comp. Matt.. xxiii. 13; 2 Cor. xi. 20; Apoc. xi. 5.
Be consumed (avarwOfre). Rarein N.T. See L. ix. 54. Partisan strife will be fatal to the Christian community as a whole. The organic life of the body will be destroyed by its own members.
164 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. V-
16. Walk (sepirareize). Frequent in a metaphorical sense for habitual conduct. See Mk. vii. 5; J. viii. 12; Acts xxi. 21; Rom. vi. 4; viii. 4; 1 Cor. iii. 3; Philip. iii. 18. Never by Paul in the literal sense.
In the Spirit (wvedwarr). Rather, by the Spirit, as the rule of action. Comp. Gal. vi. 16; Philip. iii. 16; Rom. ivnelZ.
Fulfil (reréonte). Bring to fulfilment in action. See on do the law, ver. 3.
The lust (érv0upiav). Frequent in Paul, and usually in a bad sense; but see Philip. i. 23; 1 Th. ii. 17, and comp. L. xxii. 15. The phrase Just or lusts of the flesh occurs also Eph. ii. 3; 2 Pet. ii. 18; 1J.ii.16. It means, not the mere sensual desire of the physical nature, but the desire which is peculiar to human nature without the divine Spirit.