Matthew Henry Commentary Galatians 1

St. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ; he was expressly appointed by Him, and therefore by God the Father, who is one with Him in His divine nature and who appointed Christ as Mediator. Grace includes God's goodwill toward us and His good work upon us; and peace includes all the inward comfort or outward prosperity that is truly necessary for us. They come from God the Father, as the fountain, through Jesus Christ. But observe: first grace, and then peace. There can be no true peace without grace.

Christ gave Himself for our sins to make atonement for us: this the justice of God required, and to this He freely submitted. We should observe here the infinite greatness of the price bestowed, and then it will plainly appear that the power of sin is so great that it could by no means be put away unless the Son of God was given for it. Anyone who considers these things well understands that sin is the most horrible thing that can be expressed; this understanding ought to move us and make us afraid indeed.

Especially mark well the words, for our sins. For here our weak nature recoils and would first seek to be made worthy by its own works. It would bring him that is whole, and not him that has need of a physician. He gave Himself for our sins not only to redeem us from the wrath of God and the curse of the law, but also to recover us from wicked practices and customs to which we are naturally enslaved. But it is in vain for those who are not delivered from this present evil world by the sanctification of the Spirit, to expect that they are freed from its condemnation by the blood of Jesus.

Those who would establish any other way to heaven than what the gospel of Christ reveals will find themselves grievously mistaken. The apostle impresses upon the Galatians a proper sense of their guilt in abandoning the gospel way of justification; yet he reproves them with tenderness and represents them as drawn into it by the schemes of some who troubled them. In reproving others, we should be faithful and yet endeavor to restore them in the spirit of meekness.

Some would set up the works of the law instead of Christ's righteousness, and thus they corrupted Christianity. The apostle solemnly denounces as accursed everyone who attempts to lay such a false foundation. All other gospels than that of the grace of Christ, whether more flattering to self-righteous pride or more favorable to worldly lusts, are devices of Satan.

And while we declare that to reject the moral law as a rule of life tends to dishonor Christ and destroy true religion, we must also declare that all dependence for justification on good works, whether real or supposed, is as fatal to those who persist in it. While we are zealous for good works, let us be careful not to put them instead of Christ's righteousness and not to advance anything that may betray others into such a dreadful delusion.

In preaching the gospel, the apostle sought to bring persons to the obedience, not of men, but of God. But Paul would not attempt to alter the doctrine of Christ, either to gain their favor or to avoid their fury. In such an important matter, we must not fear the frowns of men, nor seek their favor by using words of human wisdom.

Concerning the manner in which he received the gospel, he had it by revelation from Heaven. He was not led to Christianity, as many are, merely by education.

St. Paul was wonderfully brought to the knowledge and faith of Christ. All who are savingly converted, are called by the grace of God; their conversion is accomplished by his power and grace working in them. It will be of little benefit to us to have Christ revealed to us, if he is not also revealed in us.

He instantly prepared to obey, without hesitating about his worldly interest, reputation, ease, or life itself. And what a cause for thanksgiving and joy it is to the churches of Christ, when they hear of such instances to the praise of the glory of his grace, whether they have ever seen them or not! They glorify God for his power and mercy in saving such persons, and for all the service to his people and cause that is done, and may be further expected from them.