John Bengel Commentary - Galatians 2:17 - 2:17

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John Bengel Commentary - Galatians 2:17 - 2:17


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Gal 2:17.-Εἰ δὲ, but if) When Peter withdrew himself, and refused to hold any longer that communion in living [food] with the Gentiles, which he had begun; it was the same thing as if he had said, that he had lived a heathen sinner, by the fact of and during the continuance of that communion. But Christ had formed a close relationship with the Gentiles, on account of which he had very properly eaten with them. Wherefore if Peter committed sin in eating with them, the consequence will be that Christ was the minister of that sin. Paul so shrinks back from the impropriety of such a consequence, that he not only subjoins, God forbid, but immediately softens the expression by turning it into an interrogation, and by using also the word διάκονος, minister, which is well adapted to mark the indignity implied in this passage. There is no blame attached to Christ, conferring righteousness and holiness upon the Gentiles; but the whole blame lies with him, who renews [builds again] a separation from the Gentiles, after they had been converted to Christ; see following verse.-ζητοῦντες) while we seek, ever since we have received faith and freedom from the law. This word, to seek, is represented [virtually expressed] in the preceding verse; and “if while seeking-we are found,” is a strong antithesis to it.-εὑρέθημεν, we are found) now, anew.-καὶ αὐτοὶ) we ourselves also, of our own accord.-Χριστὸς, Christ) by [in] whom, however, we seek to be justified.