the Third Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary Poor Man's Commentary
Paul's Apostleship; Warning Against a Different Gospel.Chapter 2
Paul's Visit to Jerusalem; Justification by Faith.Chapter 3
Faith versus Law; Promise to Abraham.Chapter 4
Adoption as Sons; Allegory of Two Covenants.Chapter 5
Freedom in Christ; Fruits of the Spirit.Chapter 6
Bearing One Another's Burdens; Final Exhortations.
- Galatians
by Robert Hawker
THE EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL TO THE GALATIANS
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
GALATIA was a province of the lesser Asia. Here, the Lord had a people, whom he was pleased to call by sovereign grace; and principally, it should seem, under the personal ministry of the Apostle Paul. See, in confirmation, Acts 16:6 . and Acts 18:1 ; Galatians 1:8-9 . and Galatians 4:13 , etc. The church so formed, was made up, as might be expected, of a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. Hence they brought with them into the church their several distinct prejudices, according, to their former attachments. And this explains, in a great measure, certain expressions, here and there, which we meet with in this Epistle, in the apostle's teaching. But the leading feature of the whole, and for which Paul here wrote to the Galatians, was, to set forth the way of justification before God; which the apostle decidedly shows, under God the Spirit's inspiration, to be solely in, and by, the Lord Jesus Christ, without the smallest mixture of the law.
The time in which Paul wrote this Epistle is variously dated by different writers, Some make it as early as Anno 55: others, as late as 59, in the fifth year of the reign of Nero. The place also, where the Apostle, wrote it, is no less uncertain. For though in the close of it, the signature, is said to be from Rome, yet this doth not mean, that Paul wrote it there. However, these points are not material. The great object in which we are concerned is, the assurance that the writing is by the Holy Ghost. And the Lord's seal to this appears, in every Chapter. Indeed, the whole Epistle brings with it, what Paul calls the threefold witness; 2 Corinthians 13:1 . God the Holy Ghost the Author: the sacred inspired word itself: and the heart of the child of God, in whom the truth of it is written.
I think it unnecessary to detain the Reader from immediately entering on the perusal of a Scripture, so sweet, and interesting; and shall only beg the Lord to direct and guide my heart and pen, in all that shall be offered upon it, in this Poor Man's Commentary; that both Writer and Reader may be refreshed to their soul's joy, and the Lord's glory, in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen.
