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Gal 1:6. Θαυμάζω, I marvel) Paul, writing to all the other churches, begins with an expression of thanksgiving and praise to God, which, although the subject here requires something different, has however been virtually expressed, [has been represented by an equivalent] Gal 1:5. He also delays giving them the appellation of brethren. We give this summary of the epistle. There are three divisions.
I. The Inscription, Gal 1:1-5.
II. The Recalling of the Gentiles to the true Gospel, where
i. He reproves them, Gal 1:6-10.
ii. He asserts the divine authority of the Gospel preached by himself: because he
1) From a persecutor has become an apostle by heavenly calling, Gal 1:11-17.
2) Never acted as if he had not been Peter’s equal, Gal 1:18-19; Gal 1:21-22.
iii. He vindicates justification by faith, anew reproaching the Galatians, Gal 3:1-2; Gal 3:15 - Gal 4:11.
iv. He explains the same subject to the Galatians, with the most tender affection, by the allegory of the son of the bond maid and of the son of the free woman, Gal 4:12.
v. He then exhorts them to maintain their liberty, Gal 5:1-12, dissuades them from its abuse, and admonishes them not to walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit, Gal 5:13-14; Gal 5:16 - Gal 6:5, Gal 6:6-10.
III. Conclusion, Gal 5:11-12; Gal 5:17-18.
See also the note at Gal 2:16.
-οὕτω ταχέως, so quickly) Paul had been with the Galatians not long before. See Ordo temp. (arrangement of dates) p. 281 [Ed. ii., p. 242, No. 6.]-μετατίθεσθε, you are removed) transferred [you have changed your place from Him] A weighty expression, having an excuse blended with it. Jerome says: Galatia in our language implies transference, [removal from one place to another].-ἀπὸ τοῦ καλέσαντος ὑμᾶς, from Him, who called you) One’s calling, is therefore the channel of grace, the rule for the future; ch. Gal 5:8; Gal 5:13. We have here, Gal 1:6-10, a Proposition [statement of the subject, viz. the calling] and a sort of Division of it into parts [διαίρεσις]; and the calling in [“into the”] grace [Gal 1:6] is treated of in continuation from Gal 1:11 : the words “there be some that trouble you” are treated of, ch. Gal 5:7, etc.-ἐν χάριτι, in grace [Engl. Vers., into the grace] Act 15:11.-Χριστοῦ, of Christ) The construction is with ἀπὸ from.1[1])
[1] 1 This word Χριστοῦ itself, although it is not considered as a reading fully established by the margin of both Ed., is, however, expressed in the Germ. Ver.-E. B.
Gg Cypr. Lucif. omit Χριστοῦ. But ABHD [adding Ἰησοῦ with f] Vulg. support it;-τοῦ καλέσαντος agreeing with Χριστοῦ, and both governed by ἀπο; but Engl. Vers. and Vulg. make Χριστοῦ be governed by χάριτι.-ED.