The Pulpit Commentary — Galatians — Section 273

boing justified by tho La.w; not, as has just points, not to the !111.bste.nce of the subsequent boen remarked, by obeying the whole Law, affirmation, e.s if it were " repetition of that but by submiLting themselves to the La.w so made in the preceding verse, which in fact for as undergoing this one rite prescribed it does not appear to be, but to the solemnity by it. The conclusion to be drawn from with which he makes this fresh affirmation. these premisses is that what the apostle For the phrase, "I Paul say unto you," was means is this: If ye ha.ve yourselves circum- one form of solemn affirmation which in cised with the view of thereby obtaining effect gaged his personality as Christ's righteousness before God, ye forfeit all hope apostle and as acting in his name; and this of receiving benefit from Obrist (see note on "I protest" is another of equally solemn eh. iv. 10). In comparing the present passage import. To every man that is circumcised with eh. vi.12, 13, we observe that, while here (,raVTI a.v0pdnrcp ,rep,TEµ.110µ.{vcp); to every man he is dealing with those who sought circum- that is having hiTnllelf circumcised. St. Paul's cision with the view of assuring their right- statements elsewhere, and his own proceed- eousness before God, he is there referring to ing in circumcising Timothy, as well as the persons actuated by an altogether different present context, make it certain that, however set of motives. Christ shall profit yon no- absolute and universe.I his affirmation at first thing (Xp«n·bs {,µ.'as ou6~v wq>EA1]0"E1), "The sight seems to be, it is nevertheless meant to future tense marks the certain result of their be taken as made with reference to certain being circumcised : • Christ ( a.a you will understood conditions. Thus: "I protest to find) will never profit you anything' " any one of you Gentiles, who, being already (Bishop Ellicott). The future time is not, baptized into Christ, has himself circumcised in particular, for example, the time of Christ's with the view of winning righteousness second coming; but tha.t which follows upon e.nd favour with God, by obeying this one their receiving circumcision-the hour in prescription of the Law- that," etc. The which their distrust in Christ eventuated conjunction 6, is most probably the 6, of in the overt act of having themselves cir- transition (metabatic), introducing a fresh cumcised for the purpose of gaining right- particular merely; and in this in.tance, as eousness thereby, would decisively cut them often, it needs not to be represented in off from Christ. Their circumcision would translation at all. Certainly II for" is not be for them the sacrament of excision from its meaning, Possibly, as De Wette sup- Christ, We me.y compare with this the poses, it points back, e.s e.n adverso.tive, to awful passage referring to the consequences the words," Christ shall profit you nothing," accruing to Jewish Christians from their a.a if it were" but on the contrary." That relapsing to Juda.ism, in Heb. x. 26-30. It he is a debtor to do the whole Law (3n 04>e,- is difficult to overestimate the importance Afr11s eO'Tlv 3Aov TOIi 116µ,011 ,ro1ijO"a.,); that he ia of this passage, in determining the refotion under obligation (Greek, is a debtor) to do the between trust in Christ's atonement and par- whole Law. By having himself circumcised, ticipation in the benefits of that atonement. he adopts the token of the Lord's covena.nt It is at his extreme peril that a O1.uiotia.n (Gen. xvii. 11, 13) made with those who e.llows himself iu misgivings as to whether were his people after the flesh; he enrolls Christ's mediation is all-sufficient for the himself with them to aha.re with them their securing of his pee.ce with God and his part obligo.tions. And to them the Lord had in God's kingdom. It is by reliance upon given the Law of Mount Sinai to be their Christ's w01·k that his sulve.tion through appointed pedagogue till the Christ should Christ is secured; by distrust in it his come. "By being circumcised" (be means) sa.lvation is brought into peril; by d~finite " you of your own accord put yourself back unbelief his salvation is forfeited. This is afresh under this pedagogue,andju.t his bid- iQ. perfect accordance with the apostolic ding you must do. And for whl\t? All the <loctrine in general; but rarely is it so ordinances e.nd ceremonies he puts you upon strongly and incisively asserted as it is here. observing will leave you as far off as ever Ver. 3.-For I testify again (µ,apropaµ.a., 6e from remission of sins and justification with ,,.JA,~); I protest again. In using the word God I And this self-surrender to the peda- µ.apTupaµ.a.,, ;,ro teate loquor, "I speak in the gogue God has not asked for at your hands ; presence of a witness," the apostle intimates while wha.t he does require, that you with- that he is me.king his affirma.tion with a hold, even faith in him whom he hath sent: definite seDEe of the Lord being his Witness nay, not merely withhohl your belief, but by (of. Eph, iv. 17, "This I se.y and testify in opea aot and deed to;tify your disbelief in ihe Lord "). The original oonstruotion and him." Under all that the apostle is here force of-the verb ru:e shown in Judith vii. writing there appears to lie the principle, 28, Ma.pTopoµ.a., ~,,,.,, Tbv avp~vov, ,ea.I 71)_11 yiiv, which, however, he ha.snot ,listinctly slated, '!'ho apostle is wont to use 1t with a dtstmot but which we see to bo true, that circuw• benso of its emphatic import (soo Acts xx. cisiou wns the peculiar badge of "Israel :!G; l 'l'hess. ii, 11). '!'ho word ''again" after tho flesh," appertaining to then\ alone  240 THE EPISTLE TO THE GALA'l'IANS. [oH, V, 1-28.