Anf-03 v.iv.vi.iii Pg 8
Gal. ii. 3.
he for the first time shows us that circumcision was the only question connected with the maintenance5274 5274 Ex defensione.
of the law, which had been as yet agitated by those whom he therefore calls “false brethren unawares brought in.”5275 5275
Anf-03 v.iv.vi.iii Pg 15
Gal. ii. 3, 4.
etc., he gives us an insight into his reason5281 5281 Incipit reddere rationem.
for acting in a clean contrary way,5282 5282 Contrarii utique facti. [Farrar, St. Paul, pp. 232 and 261.]
showing us wherefore he did that which he would neither have done nor shown to us, if that had not happened which induced him to act as he did. But then5283 5283 Denique.
I want you to tell us whether they would have yielded to the subjection that was demanded,5284 5284 See Conybeare and Howson, in loc.
if these false brethren had not crept in to spy out their liberty? I apprehend not. They therefore gave way (in a partial concession), because there were persons whose weak faith required consideration.5285 5285 Fuerunt propter quos crederetur.
For their rudimentary belief, which was still in suspense about the observance of the law, deserved this concessive treatment,5286 5286 The following statement will throw light upon the character of the two classes of Jewish professors of Christianity referred to by Tertullian: “A pharisaic section was sheltered in its bosom (of the church at Jerusalem), which continually strove to turn Christianity into a sect of Judaism. These men were restless agitators, animated by the bitterest sectarian spirit; and although they were numerically a small party, yet we know the power of the turbulent minority. But besides these Judaizing zealots, there was a large proportion of the Christians at Jerusalem, whose Christianity, though more sincere than that of those just mentioned, was yet very weak and imperfect…Many of them still only knew of a Christ after the flesh—a Saviour of Israel—a Jewish Messiah. Their minds were in a state of transition between the law and the gospel; and it was of great consequence not to shock their prejudices too rudely; lest they should be tempted to make shipwreck of their faith and renounce their Christianity altogether.” These were they whose prejudices required to be wisely consulted in things which did not touch the foundation of the gospel. (Conybeare and Howson’s St. Paul, People’s Edition, vol. ii. pp. 259, 260.)
when even the apostle himself had some suspicion that he might have run, and be still running, in vain.5287 5287
Npnf-201 iii.vii.ii Pg 21
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, Chapter 2
VERSE (3) - Ga 5:2-6 Ac 15:24; 16:3 1Co 9:20,21
