The Pulpit Commentary — Galatians — Section 302

Ver. 6.-The essential principle of Bible Ohristianity. After condemning circu'mclsion he qualifies his statement to the extent of makin~ H neither better nor worse than: uncircumcision. But then he reduces them both to the one level of religious inept- ness. Consider- - ' l. THE POWER OF CHBIST'LANITY CONSISTS NOT IN DISTINOTIONS LIKE THOSE WHIOH SEPARATE JEw AND GENTILE. "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any- thing, nor nncircumcision.'1 A man is• not saved because he is circumcised, nor lost because be is not. Circumcision does not introduce a man into union with Christ, and the mere absence of it does not lead to a deeper fellowship with the Saviour; It is, therefore, a mistake to have the form of godliness without the power. II. THE TRUE POWER OF 0HBISTIANITY LIBS IN F..UrH WORKING BY LOVE. 1. Faith is fundamental in Ohristian life, at least on man's side, as regeneration is fun4a- mcntal on God's side. This fact is not inconsistent with the fact that Obrist himself is the only Foundation, for he is the Foundation absolutely, whether we believe in hiin or not; but faith is the foundation which we Jay when we are enabled through tlie Divine Spirit to place ourselves on the true Foundation laid in Zion. 2. Tt is not a mere ltis• torical faith, nor a speculative bdief in doctrines, which may be allied with· a cold and· unloving heart; for" it worketh by love." It is not, therefore, a.•" dead faith."· 3; It is• justifying faith, for it is the instrument of our justification; and.it is perfect in· itself so far as it apprehends the righteousness of Christ. The Romish iUea, that it is "faith ma.de perfect by love," is founded on a mistranslation, for the verb ,is not the P1!-5Sive, but the middle, as always in the New Testament, and is opposed to t~e doctrrne o_f the apostle, which is that faith is not a work and bas no merit, and by_ its very relat10~ to justification protests against the merit of all human works. 4.' It is at the same time an operative faith ; for "it worketh by love.'' It is, indeed, a mighty power; "It overcomes the world.'' Love is the channel in which faith flows forth to bless the world. (1) It is evident that love does not work of itself; it works in t~e streng,th _of faith. No man loves a Saviour whom he cannot trust. All who a.re umted to Ulmst l,y faith become partakers of his Spirit, one of whose fruits is love (ver. 22); and this love is the principle of all obedience (Rom. xiii. 10). (2) Lov:e is faith's metal, ~or into the mould of love does faith pour Jove itself. (3) Love flourishes :exactly a~ faith flourishes. If, through distress, you begin to doubt the Lo,rd'e g~odnees and wisdo~, there is a fear that the heart will become cold toward him. 'I he faith and the love will increase or diminish together. (4) Though faith worketh by love, th_e love react~upon faith and adds to its power. Love leads to admiration, for it sees Christ's love,· faithful• Les:;, a11d puwer; aud faith says at once," I can trust him more than ever." nut love OB v. 1,-,-26.) THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. 269