Search -
A Commentary on Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians
A Commentary on Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians Author:Martin Luther Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Holy Scripture; otherwise, accursed be both the teachers and hearers, together with their doctrine. Verse 10. For now preach I man's doctrine, or GocFs ? T... more »hese words are spoken with the same vehemency of spirit that the former were as if he would say, Am I, Paul, so unknown amongst you, which have preached so openly in your churches? Are my bitter conflicts, and so many sharp battles against the Jews, yet unknown unto you ? It appeareth (I think) sufficiently unto you by my preaching, and by so many and so great afflictions which I have suffered, whether I serve men or God; for all men see that by this my preaching I have not only stirred up persecution against me in every place, but have also procured the cruel hatred both of mine own nation, and of all other men. I show, therefore, plainly enough, that I seek not by my preaching the favour or praise of men, but to set forth the benefit and glory of God. Neither do we seek the favour of men by our doctrine; for we teach that all men are wicked by nature, and the children of wrath. We condemn man's free-will, his strength, wisdom, and righteousnesss, and all religion of man's own devising; and, to be short, we say that there is nothing in us that is able to deserve grace, and the forgiveness of sins: but we preach, that we obtain this grace by the free mercy of God only, for Christ's sake; for so the heavens show forth the glory of God, and his works, condemning all men generally with their works. (Eph. ii. 3.) Thia is not to preach for the favour of men and of the world; for the world can abide nothing less than to hear his wisdom, righteousness, religion, and power, condemned; and to speak against those mighty and glorious gifts of the world, is not to flatter- the world, but rather to procure hatred and indignation of ...« less