+III. Is made more impressive by showing the effect of the truth on personal experience+ (vers. 19-21).--In these words the apostle indicates that his own deliverance from the law was effected by being dead to the law--being crucified with Christ; and that his own spiritual life was originated and sustained by a living faith in a loving and self-sacrificing Christ. "Legalism is fatal to the spiritual life in man. Whilst it clouds the Divine character, it dwarfs and petrifies the human. What becomes of the sublime mystery of the life hid with Christ in God, if its existence is made contingent on circumcision and ritual performance? To men who put meat and drink on a level with righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, or in their intercourse with fellow-Christians set points of ceremony above justice, mercy, and faith, the very idea of a spiritual kingdom of God is wanting. The religion of Jesus and of Paul regenerates the heart, and from that centre regulates and hallows the whole ongoing of life. Legalism guards the mouth, the hands, the senses, and imagines that through these it can drill the man into the Divine order. The latter theory makes religion a mechanical system; the former conceives it as an inward, organic life." +Lessons.+--1. _The leaven of error is not easily suppressed._ 2. _True religion has never lacked a race of brave defenders._ 3. _Experimental religion is the best guarantee of its permanence._ _GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._ Vers. 11-13. _Christian Consistency_-- +I. May be spoilt by yielding to an unworthy fear+ (ver. 12). +II. Should be strictly maintained for the sake of others+ (ver. 13). +III. Should be defended with intrepid courage+ (ver. 11). Ver. 11. _An Astute Defender of the Faith._ +I. Here we have an example of true virtue,+ in St. Paul resisting evil to the utmost of his power. In like manner must every one of us resist evil, first in himself and then in them that appertain to him. +II. An example of boldness and liberty in reproving sin.+--1. This liberty in reproving is not the fruit of a bold and rash disposition, but is the fruit of God's Spirit, and is so to be acknowledged. 2. This liberty is to be ordered by a sound mind whereby we are able to give a good account of our reproofs, both for the matter and manner of them. 3. Our admonitions must be seasoned and tempered with love. +III. An example of an ingenuous and honest mind.+--When Paul sees Peter he reproves him to the face. Contrary to this is the common practice in backbiting, whispering, and tale-bearing, whereby it comes to pass that when a man is in fault every man knows it save he who is in fault. We see that excellent men, even the chief apostles, are subject to err and be deceived.--_Perkins._