Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 1 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
IN the first part of this Chapter, the Apostle (having sharply rebuked these Galatians for their defection, ver. 1.) useth five other Arguments to prove that we are justified by Faith, and not by Works. First, They had received the saving Graces of God's Spirit, by hearing the Doctrine of Justification by Faith, and not by Works, ver. 2. Which Argument, is further urged, ver. 3, 4. and enlarged unto their receiving these other miraculous Gifts of the Spirit by the means of that Doctrine, and as confirmations of it, ver. 5. Secondly, Abraham was justified by Faith, ver. 6. From which he inferreth, that Believers are Abraham's children, ver. 7. and that all of them, whether Jew or Gentile, must be justified by Faith also, ver. 8, 9. Thirdly, Those who seek to be justified by the Law, are under the curse of the Law; and therefore not justified, ver. 10. Fourthly, Scripture testifieth that men shall be justified by Faith, ver. 11. Whence he inferreth and proveth his Inference, that therefore they cannot be justified by the Law, ver. 12. Fifthly, Christ's redeeming of us from the curse of the Law, and all the fruits following upon His Death, are received by Faith, ver. 13, 14.
In the second part of the Chapter, he answereth some Objections, and joyntly sheweth the date prescribed by God, for keeping the Ceremonial Law, was now past. Object. 1. It seemeth the way of Justification by Faith in the Promise made to Abraham was changed by the Law given upon Mount Sinai. He answereth by a similitude taken from humane Covenants, ver. 15. that the Covenant of Grace made and ratified by God with Abraham in Christ, could not be altered nor abrogated by the Law, which was given so long after, ver. 16, 17, 18. Object. 2. The Law seemeth to be given in vain and to no purpose, if it do not justifie. He answereth by shewing another end for which the Law was given, to wit, for the discovery and restraint of sin; and that God's design was not, that people should be thereby justified, ver. 19, 20. Object. 3. The Law seemeth then to be contrary to the Covenant-promise, if the one discover sin, and the other forgive and cover it. He answereth, first, retorting the Objection against the Propounders, to wit, that by their way the Law would be contrary to, and destructive of the Promise, ver. 21. Secondly, shewing the Law in discovering sin, and condemning for it, was subservient to the Promise, while it did necessitate guilty sinners to believe, and apply the Promise, ver. 22. Object. 4. It seemeth the Ceremonial Law, and the whole ancient dispensation ought to be observed under the Gospel for the same use and end at least. He answereth, shewing the Law was for good use to the ancient Church, ver. 23. which he illustrateth by comparing the Law to a Schoolmaster, ver. 24. but denieth that therfore it should be observed now; because the Church was come to perfect age, and so could not be any longer keeped under a Schoolmaster, ver. 25, 26. Object. 5. It seemeth Circumcision at least ought to be observed; seing it was not added upon Mount Sinai, but instituted long before. He answereth, shewing that Baptism doth serve for all those spiritual uses now, which Circumcision did serve for then; and consequently that Circumcision was not to be any longer practised, ver. 27, 28, 29.