Commentary on Galatians

Augustine of Hippo (354–430)

The one sent "from men" is a liar; the one sent "through man" tells the truth, as God too, who is truthful, may send truth through men. The one, therefore, who is sent not from men or through man but "through God" derives his truthfulness from the One who makes truthful even those sent through men.

The grace of God, by which our sins are forgiven, is the condition of our being reconciled to him, whereas peace is that wherein we are reconciled.

How much more, therefore, ought men not to claim the credit for themselves if they perform any good work, when the very Son of God in the Gospel said that he sought not his own glory. Nor had he come to do his own will but the will of him who sent him! This will and glory of the Father the apostle now commemorates, that he also, by the example of the Lord who sent him, may indicate that he seeks not his own glory or the performance of his own will in the preaching of the gospel, just as he says a little later, "if I were to please men, I should not be a servant of Christ."

If it were another gospel other than the one that the Lord has given through himself or through some other, it would not be a gospel.

See also

• More works by Augustine of Hippo

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