Before I begin my review of Galatians, I'd like to say that, in real-time, I'm reading Hebrews and the Epistle of Clement. I read a recent theory that Clement of Rome (as opposed to the Clement of Alexandria) could possibly be the author/editor of Hebrews. Paul seems an unlikely candidate because it lacks all the typical "Paulisms." The exact phrasology is different than any of Peter, Paul or John's works, but similar enough to be a paraphrase. It's all very interesting, now on with the review:

Galatians 1-3

1:6 makes reference to a different gospel. This echoes Paul's admonishment in II Corinthians 11:4.

1:11 states that Paul's gospel (his message, not some extrabiblical writing) is not man-made.

2:2 This seems to be a different revelation than the one Paul mentions in II Corinthians, because the II Cor vision occurs 11 years before the writing of that epistle and this one takes place 14 years after Paul's conversion.

2:11 Here Paul recounts Peter's failure to stick to pure teaching, instead revisiting old laws. Paul rebukes him for it.

2:16 The opposite of "justified by faith" is nothing other than justification by the Law.

2:18 seems to indicate that if you decide that the Law is necessary after all, then you become responsible for all your "transgressions" when you weren't keeping it.

2:21 Righteousness cannot be gained through the Law.

3: 2, 5, 6 Belief is what brings salvation, not Law. The juxtaposition of these two words shows that belief is not a "work."

3:12 The Law will be followed in Spirit, unintentionally, by those that believe, as a side-effect, not an intended action.

3:14 Abraham begats Jesus who, by our faith, adopts us into their lineage. Also, Christ is the "seed" of Abraham, not us; we are the branches of Christ. Descendance from Abraham has nothing to do with salvation.

3:28 In Christ there is niether Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but one without physical distinction. Our distinctions, as Christians, are only spiritual. No physical characteristics should determine our spiritual function.

Finish Galatians HERE.

I begin again with II Corinthians 8. I noticed (surprise, surprise) that I had made no comments on chapters 8-11. I must have read through these chapters while very tired, The notes you are about to read are fresh, taken from no notebook.

II Corinthians 8:16 Titus moves from Macedonia to Corinth.

9:6-10 Verses that apply to sowing and reaping.

10:4-5 Paul speaks of the spiritual weapons of war, against not only spiritual powers (verse 4), but intellectual agruments (verse 5).

10:9-10 It seems that Paul was accused of talking big but acting small. Here, he argues against it, almost threatening.

11:3 It is possible to be led away by even good intentions.

11:3,4 "...receiving another spirit..." The Greek phrasology here is the same as when one recieves the Holy Spirit. The verse is addressed to Christians.

11:16 Satan comes as an angel of light.

12:2 It is likely that Paul himself is the one who had the vision. It is he that fears boastfulness, and is using a third-person perspective to stave off pride or, at least, the appearance of pride. Verse seven illustrates that the vision was his own.

12:7 Many have pondered Paul's thorn.

12:9 Paul quotes Christ, but from outside the Gospels.

12:12 Things that mark an apostle: Signs, wonders, and miracles.

13:14 Paul illustrates in a vague, uncemented way, his belief in the Trinity.

As a side note, my efforts here include a chart that I'm compiling, that shows which church fathers quote which verses and where. It should help in determining the original context for the verses. So far, I've included some of St. Athanasius' work, St. Augustine's City of God, all of St. Patrick's work, including a psuedo-Patrick from around 700.

Continue in GALATIANS.