J. G. Bellett.
BT vol. 6 p. 3.
Galatians. — The apostle would establish the saints in personal, immediate confidence in God, from which Judaism was withdrawing them. He does this by showing them his own commission, revelations, experience, and acts, all immediate and personal (Gal. 1, 2); and then by challenges and reasonings. (Gal. 3.) Thus he would form Christ in them, the spirit of the free woman. (Gal. 4.) Hope and service of love would be the fruit of this. (Gal. 5.) And so, personal and immediate with God, would he have them in commonest duties (Gal. 6:14); and in like spirit he closes with his body and their spirit. He would set each of us for himself at the door of the tabernacle to learn the secrets of God for ourselves. (Lev. 8, 9.) The patriarchs, sinners in John's gospel, as well as Paul, went down to Arabia; that is, they needed no ordinances [like Israel under law], having immediate, personal communion with God in Christ and the promises. Paul would have Peter take that journey (Gal. 2), and the Galatians take it again. (Gal. 3, 4.)