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John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.Meantime I do not make void - In seeking to be justified by my own works.The grace of God — The free love of God in Christ Jesus. But they do, who seek justification by the law.For if righteousness is by the law — If men might be justified by their obedience to the law, moral or ceremonial.Then Christ died in vain — Without any necessity for it, since men might have been saved without his... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 2:11-21

4. Paul’s apostolic rebuke of the apostle Peter, Galatians 2:11-21. This is the closing step of Paul’s proof of the reality and independence of his apostleship. The proof rises in climax. First, he lived for years apart from the apostles; next, he met and was acknowledged by them; last, he encountered the chief apostle and successfully rebuked him rebuked him upon the very point in debate among the Galatians circumcision. Not only was this climax truly conclusive for the Galatians, but it is... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 2:14-21

a. Paul’s declaration of his gospel to Peter, Galatians 2:14-21 . The purpose of Paul in this speech is to put an end to this paltering between law-justification and Christ-justification. If we are justified by Christ. why need we law observances? We analyze these verses as follows: 14. If you, Peter, a born Jew, rely on Christ-justification, why make even Gentiles law-keepers? 15, 16. We born Jews certainly have flung ourselves on Christ as our sole justification. 17. But if, while relying... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 2:21

21. I do not thus, like the legalist and Judaizer, frustrate, that is, make useless, the grace of God: for if righteousness, that is, justification and pardon, are by the law, then Christ died (not in vain, but) needlessly. There was no demand for grace or atonement if law gave righteousness. The following extract from Stanley’s notice of “The Clementines” (see our note, 2 Corinthians 10:1,) illustrates the assaults against which Paul here defends himself: “In an argument between... read more

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