by works. — BiKaioT, justifies [instead of would justify^) The pre sent, in respect of Paul then writing ; so, they have the blessing [are blessed, luXnyeDmw], ver. 9. — ^osu^/ygX/Varo, preached the Gospel before) A word, which very sweetly approaches to a Catachresis.1 The Gospel was preached to Abraham before the times of the Gospel. The Gospel is therefore older than the law. — ivtvXoyyditfwrw) 131331 Gen. xii. 3 : then more expressly 1313HH1 Gen. xxii. 18 ; Ps. Ixxii. 17. There is the mere pro mise of blessing ; nothing is said as to works. Moreover, jus tification and blessing are -conjoined. At the same time the nature of faith is evident from the form of the Hebrew verb : they shall bless themselves^ they shall congratulate themselves re garding the blessing. Is. Ixv. 1 6 ; comp. Deut. xxix. 18. — ev <rol, in thee) as in the father of the Messiah ; therefore much more in Messiah [Himself]. The Gentiles, as believers in Christ, are the seed of Abraham. Seed first, then blessing, was pro mised to Abraham. Add note to ver. 16.
9. O/ Jx Kiffrwg) they who are of faith, all, and they alone ; as is evident from its opposite in the following verse. — ffvv r& KigTti, with the faithful) The blessing was conferred on Abraham himself by faith ; with whom those, who believe, are blessed. Observe, he says now, ffvv, withy not li>, in. In thee was said before Christ was born of the seed of Abraham ; subsequently to that event, with, nay even previously ; compare the heirs with him, Heb. xi. 9.
10. ' Y-TTO xarapav, under the curse) Sub, Under, here and after wards, is joined to the accusative with great force. The curse and the blessing are opposed. — s/aiv, are) This verb is repeated with great force. — ysypaxrai, it is written) Deut. xxvii. 26 : e<7nxardparo$ <7rag (irtfOMTOS, offng ovx sfifAsvsi <rra6i roTg \dyoic, rov VO/AOV roi/rou, To/5j<ra/ avrovc ; where KU$ and nafft are not in the Hebrew, but in the Samaritan. Perfect obedience is required by the expression, in all things, and continual obedience by the expres sion, continueth (fau'evei). No man renders this obedience. — ro?$ yeypa/j,{j,evois sv r& /5//3x/w, written in the book) Paul adds this as a paraphrase.
1 See Append. A turning aside of the term Gospel here from its strict sense, in order to apply it to what was akin to it, viz. the promise given to Abraham. — ED.