John Calvin on Galatians 5:26

26. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, The special exhortations which were addressed to the Galatians were not more necessary for them than they are adapted to our own time. Of many evils existing in society at large, and particularly in the church, ambition is the mother. Paul therefore directs us to guard against it, for the vain-glory (κενοδοξία) of which he speaks is nothing else than ambition, (filimia,) or the desire of honor, by which every one desires to excel all others. The heathen philosophers do not condemn every desire of glory; but among Christians, whoever is desirous of glory departs from true glory, and therefore is justly charged with idle and foolish ambition. It is not lawful for us to glow but in God alone. Every other kind of glorying is pure vanity. Mutual provocations and envyings are the daughters of ambition. He who aspires to the highest rank must of necessity envy all others, and disrespectful, biting, stinging language is the unavoidable consequence.

CHAPTER 6

Galatians 6:1-5

1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

1. Fratres, etiamsi praeoccupatus fuerit homo in aliquo lapsu, vos, qui spirituales estis, instaurate ejusmodi hominem spiritu lenitatis; considerans to ipsum, ne tu quoque tenteris.

2. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

2. Alii aliorum onera portate, et sic adimplete legem Christi.

3. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

3. Nam si quis putat se esse aliquid, quum nihil sit, se ipsum decipit.

4. But let every man prove his own worth, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

4. Opus antem suum probet unusquisque; et tunc in se ipso solo gloriam habebit, non antem in alio.

5. For every man shall bear his own burden.

5. Quisque enim proprium onus portabit.