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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Galatians 2:19 - 2:19
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19. ἐγὼ γὰρ. ἐγώ not I in contrast to St Peter (Winer-Schmiedel, see note on κατέλυσα Gal 2:18), but I in my own experience, γάρ gives the reason for his statement that it was sinful to go back to the Law. My own experience has been that the Law was not a positive but only a negative means of blessing. The Law itself made me leave the Law. αὐτός με ὁ νόμος ἐνήγαγεν εἰς τὸ μηκέτι προσέχειν αὐτῷ (Chrys.).
διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. A fundamental fact with St Paul. The Law itself (not Law in the abstract, Gal 2:16 note, but the Law as law) brought me to this state of death to it. The Law itself showing me my weakness and inability to fulfil it brought me to such a state of exhaustion as regards fulfilling its commands that my efforts altogether ceased—in order that I might live (in the fullest sense of life) not to it, but to God. The utter condemnation experienced by him who conscientiously endeavours to keep the moral demands of God’s Law drives him to seek deliverance in God Himself (cf. Rom 7:7 sqq.). This deliverance found, life in the highest sense (Col 3:3-4 notes) begins.