We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
All Commentaries on Galatians 2:15 Go To Galatians 2
John Chrysostom
AD 407
These words are hortatory, but are couched in the form of a reproof, on account of those Jews. So elsewhere, under cover of one meaning he conveys another; as where he says in his Epistle to the Romans, But now I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints. Romans 15:25 Here his object was not simply to inform them of the motive of his journey to Jerusalem, but to excite them to emulation in the giving of alms. Had he merely wished to explain his motive, it would have sufficed to say, I go to ministering unto the saints; but now observe what he says in addition; For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem. Yea, it has been their good pleasure and their debtors they are. And again, For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them, also to minister unto them in carnal things. Romans 15:26-27
Observe how he represses the high thoughts of the Jews; preparing for one thing by means of another, and his language is authoritative. We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles. The phrase, Jews by nature, implies that we, who are not proselytes, but educated from early youth in the Law, have relinquished our habitual mode of life, and be taken ourselves to the faith which is in Christ.
