(1) The Galatians were brought to the true Christian faith and the gospel of the law by St. Paul. But after his departure the false apostles, who were disciples of the true apostles, came and turned the Galatians again, so that they believed they had to be saved by the work of the law, and committed sin if they did not keep the work of the law, as Acts 15:1 says. 15, 1. also some high people in Jerusalem.
To counter these, 1) St. Paul exalts his ministry, and wants to be held no less than another apostle, and boasts of God alone about his doctrine and ministry, so that he can outdo the fame of the false apostles who claim to be the true apostle's work and name.
1) to oppose - to counter, to confront. (Dietz.)
and says, "It is not right if an angel preaches it differently, or if he himself preaches it differently, or if the apostle's disciples teach it differently, or if they themselves teach it differently.
This is what he does in the first and second chapters, and he explains that without merit, without works, without law, but through Christ alone, everyone must be justified.
In the third and fourth chapter he proves all this with scriptures, examples and parables, and shows how the law rather brings sin and cursing than righteousness, which is promised by God by grace alone, fulfilled through Christ without law and given to us.
In the fifth and sixth, he teaches the works of love that should follow faith.
*) This preface is found in the Leipzig edition, vol. XII, p. 64 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 63, p. 142.
**) This preface is found in the Leipzig edition, vol. XII, p. 65 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 63, p. 143.