The Authorized (King James) Version:
and all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Table of Contents:
The Textus Receptus:
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The 1599 Geneva Bible:
And all the brethren which are with me
[A Commentary or Exposition, upon the Five First Chapters of the Epistle to the Galatians; (Cambridge, John Legat: c. 1604)]
I. Concerning the Persons Writing: The Brethren
A. The Definition of “Brethren”
By brethren we are to understand such as separated themselves from the Pagans, and received the faith of Christ (1 Cor. 5:11). And here more specially such as taught and professed the faith, that is, both pastors and people, whether of Antioch (as some think) or of Rome, as others.
B. Paul’s Purpose in Writing with Their Consent
And Paul writes his Epistle as well in their names as in his own, and with their consent, for two causes:
1. To Avoid the Appearance of Private Doctrine
One was, that he might not be thought to deliver any private doctrine devised of his own head. And this care he had always: and therefore taught nothing but that which was in the writings of Moses and the Prophets (Acts 26:22). And this was the care of Christ: who says, My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me (John 7:16). And at this day, this must be the care of the Ministers of the Gospel, to deliver nothing of their own. First therefore their doctrines must be founded in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles: and secondly, that they may be sure of this, they must have the consent of the true Church, specially of such as have been the Restorers of the gospel in this last age. This rule Paul gives Timothy, to continue in the things which he had learned of Paul and the rest of the Apostles (2 Tim. 3:14). Hence it appears to be a fault in sundry private persons, when they read the Scriptures, to gather private opinions, to broach them to the world. This practice has been the foundation of heresies and schisms in the Church.
2. To Better Persuade the Galatians
Secondly, Paul writes with consent, that he might the better move and persuade the Galatians to receive his doctrine which he is now to deliver.