Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin
Galatians 1:10-14
Galatians 1:10-14
10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
10. Nunc enim suadeone secundum homines, an secundum Deum? vel quaero hominibus placere? si enim adhuc hominibus placerem, Christi servus non essem.
11. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
11. Notum autem vobis faeio, fratres, Deuteronomy Evangelio, quod evangelizatum est a me, quod non est secundum hominem;
12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
12. Neque enim ego ab hormine accepi illud, neque didici; sed per revelationem Iesu Christi.
13. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it;
13. Audistis enim conversationem meam, quae aliquando fuit in Iudaismo; quod supra modum persequebar ecclesiam Dei, et vastabam illam,
14. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
14. Et proficiebam in Iudaismo supra multos aequales meos in gernere meo, quum vehementius studiosus essem paternarum traditionum.
Having extolled so confidently his own preaching, he now shows that this was no idle or empty boast. He supports his assertion by two arguments. The first is, that he was not prompted by ambition, or flattery, or any similar passion, to accommodate himself to the views of men. The second and far stronger argument is, that he was not the author of the gospel, but delivered faithfully what he had received from God.
10. For do I now persuade according to men or according to God? The ambiguity of the Greek construction in this passage, has given rise to a variety of expositions. Some render it, Do I now persuade men or God? 38 Others interpret the words ``God'' and ``men,'' as meaning divine and human concerns. This sense would agree very well with the context, if it were not too wide a departure from the words. The view which I have preferred is more natural; for 38"{Πείθω}. This word, which we render persuade, frequently signifies `to obtain by treaty,' or, `to endeavor the friendship and good will of any person.' Thus in Matthew 28:14, the chief-priests tell the soldiers, whom they corrupted, to give a false report: `If this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you, that is, prevail with him to be favorable to you, and save you from punishment.' Thus, Acts 12:20, {πείσαντες} {Βλάστον}, we render, `having made Blastus their friend.' Vid. Pind. Ol. 3:28. And in the Apocryphal book of Maccabees, (2 Maccabees 4:45,) when Menelaus found himself convicted of his crimes, he promised Ptolemy a large sum of money, {πεῖσαι} {τὸν} {βασιλέα}, `to pacify the king,' to prevent his displeasure, and secure his favor. And thus, in the place before us, `to persuade God,' is to endeavor to secure his approbation; which, the Apostle assures the Galatians, was his great and only view, as well as his great support, under the censure and displeasure of men, for preaching the pure and uncorrupted doctrines of the gospel.'' --- Chandler.