back from the impropriety of such a consequence, that he not only subjoins, God forbid, but immediately softens the expres sion by turning it into an interrogation, and by using also the word diaxovog, minister, which is well adapted to mark the in dignity implied in this passage. There is no blame attached to Christ, conferring righteousness and holiness upon the Gen tiles ; but the whole blame lies with him, who renews [builds again] a separation from the Gentiles, after they had been converted to Christ ; see following verse. — fyrovvrei) while we seek, ever since we have received faith and freedom from the law. This word, to seek, is represented [virtually expressed] in the preceding verse ; and " if while seeling — we are found," is a strong antithesis to it. — svp'eQr,fj,sv9 we are found) now, anew. — xa) avroJ) we ourselves also, of our own accord. — xp/arog, Christ) by [in] whom, however, we seek to be justified.
18. KarsKvga, I destroyed} By the faith of Christ. — craX/t/ oix.odo/j;£j, I build again) by subjection to the law. — vapafSdrqv) a prevaricator,1 a transgressor of the law, while I seem to observe it, [retracting, as it were, my former change (abandonment) of Judaism. — V. g.] The word (<ra^a/3ar»j£) was dreadful in the eyes of those who were more zealous for the law. [This was, to ivit, to transgress the law of faith. — V. g.] — ffuviffrr^i, I commend) Peter had wished to commend himself, Arer. 12, at the end ; Paul shows by this mimesis,2 the sad fruit of that com mendation.
19. 'E/w yap, for I) The reason assigned [aetiologia] for, God forbid. Christ is not the minister of sin and death, but the Establisher [Stator] of righteousness and life. I am entirely in Him. This is the very sum and marrow of Christianity. — bia vo/orou vopy) by the law of faith [I am dead] to the law of works, Eom. iii. 27. I do not do an injustice to the law; I depend on a law, not less divine. This is set forth as it were enigmatically, and is presently explained by the definition of the law of faith. In the same sense in which transgressor [vapa^dr^g] is used,
1 Prsevaricator, a shuffler, one guilty of collusion, a sliam- defender, as Peter here seeming- to be a maintainer of the law, though being a transgressor against it. — ED.
2. Imitation of the \v< rd characterising Peter's aim, viz. to commend him self.— ED.