Furnish Your Faith
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10 and 2 Peter 1:4–7
Series: Comments on Galatians
Peter makes it clear that faith is present before there may be love at work. He tells us to supplement our faith with many things, including love (2 Peter 1:7). I do not like the RSV, NASB, and ESV using the word “supplement,” as though faith needs assistance. The ASV using supply is only a little better. The KJV, NIV, and HEV are considerably better, stating “add to your faith.” But the word means, more literally, “to furnish,” and I do prefer that word to the others.
Furnish your faith with virtue, etc. This makes faith the grand backdrop of life, as though the basic construction of a house, to which may be added the furnishings of virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
Regardless, Peter shows us that faith comes first, not love, not works, but that love and other works should follow faith, furnishing faith as proper Christians are called to do.
Share this post
Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
Click Here For Content Archives