Interpretation of the Epistle to the Galatians by St. Paul the Apostle

Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria gained experience in explaining the Holy Scriptures when, as a rhetorician of the Great Church, he instructed the people. Most of his written interpretations arose at the request of the Greek Empress Maria, whom he calls his pious patron. These works became an outstanding synthesis and transposition of the established patristic traditions, primarily the heritage of the Antiochian theological school and St. John Chrysostom. As a rule, the author presents abbreviated versions of extensive interpretations of the ancient Church Fathers, borrowing only what is necessary for understanding the text. The commentary also includes his own explanations, which often concern disputes with heretics, especially later ones, and issues of dialogue with the Latins. Thanks to his clear, concise presentation and clear semantic emphasis, his commentaries were accessible to a wide range of readers, became widespread and had a significant influence on both Byzantine and Western European theology. In his “Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians of the Holy Apostle Paul” (6 chapters), Blessed Theophylact explains the strict emotional tone of the epistle, caused by serious misconceptions spread in Galatia by Jewish believers. These false teachers instilled in the Galatians the need for circumcision, keeping the Sabbath and the new moon, citing the example of the disciples of the Apostle Peter. Blessed Theophylact explains that the apostles preaching to the Jews allowed such practices only out of condescension for their weakness, and not as a mandatory teaching for all believers, especially for the pagans to whom the Apostle Paul preached. Opponents of the ap. They tried to undermine Paul's apostolic authority, accusing him of inconsistency (circumcising Timothy, but rejecting circumcision in general) and that he was not a direct disciple of Christ and a witness, unlike the apostles around the apostle. Petra. The main themes raised in the interpretation: the protection of apostolic dignity, the superiority of faith in Christ over the fulfillment of the Jewish law, freedom in Christ, including liberation from external legalism. The introduction and almost the entire message are filled with strong indignation: for constant condescension towards students who require a reprimand is not characteristic of a teacher. And the Lord Himself does the same: having praised Peter, then he reproaches him (Matthew 16:17, 23), and calls the disciples foolish (Matthew 15:16). So Paul, resorting to severity in other epistles, such as to the Corinthians, especially resorts to it in the Epistle to the Galatians. The reason for this is the following. Those who believed from the Jews, partly adhering to the law of the fathers, and partly aspiring to be teachers, inspired the Galatians that they should be circumcised and observe the Sabbath and the new moon, since Peter’s disciples did not forbid this. And, indeed, they did not prohibit, but not because they taught so, but because they were condescending to the weakness of those who believed among the Jews, to whom they preached. But Paul, preaching to the pagans, had no need for such condescension. When it was really necessary, he himself made concessions: he circumcised Timothy and himself accepted the Naziriteship according to the law. But the deceivers, not to mention the reasons why both Peter’s disciples and they themselves did this, confused the simple-minded, and they blamed Paul precisely for the fact that he either circumcises, or rejects circumcision, and preaches one thing in one place, another in another, and in general one should not believe Paul, who did not see Christ, not His disciple, but the apostles, but that those who were with Peter should hold on to those who were with Peter as witnesses. For this reason, inflamed in spirit, he writes this letter, and first of all directs his speech against what they said, undermining his dignity, namely, that others are disciples of Christ, and he is the apostles. That's why he starts this way. You might be interested in: