Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians

by Martin Luther

Jewish-Christian

Sounds anti-semitic

It’s interesting that L is writing so much of the call/the ministry. Is it his antagonism toward the priesthood that is under this?

"Although the brethren with me are not apostles like myself, yet they are all of one mind with me, think, write, and teach as I do."

Does Paul say this?

The fact is, the more a person seeks credit for himself by his own efforts, the deeper he goes into debt.

L begins getting into grace/faith/justification.

True Christian theology does not inquire into the nature of God,

very wrong

Finally, the word “justification.”

"Because my transgressions are multiplied and my own efforts at self-justification rather a hindrance than a furtherance, therefore Christ the Son of God gave Himself into death for my sins."

What is this a quote from?

VERSE 4. That

VERSE 6. I marvel.

Later on, in

"From that Christ that

But, that’s not what it says. It says, “Him that called you into the grace of Christ,” obviously, Paul.

I thought Luther didn’t like the term “Lutheran.”

Luther criticizes the Anabaptists, likening them to the Judaizers, but doesn’t give any specific false teaching of the Anabaptists.

whole synagogue

anti-semitic

hesitation.

To mix Law and Gospel not only clouds the knowledge of grace, it cuts out Christ altogether.

Paul declares that he was wrapped up in it.

Here, Luther mostly reiterates what Paul is saying.

With Barnabas,

stop 12-13-12

and the conference upheld him,

I don’t know how Luther knows this. But, at least the commentary is getting interesting. A little.

Titus, who was with Paul, was not compelled to be circumcised,

Wasn’t one of Paul’s gentile disciples circumcised?

The true Gospel declares that good works are the embellishment of faith, but that faith itself is the gift and work of God in our

but only Moses with the lawbooks.

This seems wrong to me.

However, when the conflict of conscience is over and external duties must be performed, close your ears to the Gospel, and open them wide to the Law.

makes no sense to me

anybody took offense.

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Now, if I could perform any work acceptable to God and deserving of grace, and once having obtained grace my good works would continue to earn for me the right and reward of eternal life, why should I stand in need of the grace of God and the suffering and death of Christ? Christ would be of no benefit to me.

First a person must learn to know himself from the Law.

"Since you have found Christ by faith," we say, "begin now to work and do well.

So far, the words of Paul were addressed to Peter.

I don’t think this is right.

stop 12-22-12

I’m having some trouble focusing.

stop 12-23-12