Martin Luther on Galatians 6:16

Verſe. 16. And to as many as vvalke according to this rule, peace be vpon them and mercy. This he addeth as a concluſion.A right rule. This is the onely and true rule wherin we ought to walke, namely the new creature, which is neither circumciſion nor vncircumciſion,Eph. 4.24. but the new man created vnto the image of God in righteouſnes & true holines, which inwardly is righteous in the ſpirite, and outwardly is holy and cleane in the fleſh. The Monkes haue a righteouſnes and holines,The righteouſnes of Monkes. but it is hypocriticall and wicked, becauſe they hope not to be iuſtified by onely faith in Chriſte, but by the keping of their Rule. Moreouer, although outwardly they counterfet an holines, and refraine their eyes, handes, tounge & other members from euill: yet they haue an vncleane heart, ful of filthy luſt, enuie, wrath, lecherie, idolatrie, contempt and hatred of God, blaſphemie againſt Chriſte, &c. for they are moſt ſpitefull and cruell enemies of the truth. Wherefore the Rule and religion of the Monkes is moſt wicked, and accurſed of God. But this rule whereof Paule ſpeaketh in this place, is bleſſed, by the which we liue in the Faith of Chriſte, and are made newe creatures, that is to ſay, righteous and holy in deede by the holy ghoſt, wtout any colouring or coūterfetting. To them which walke after this rule belongeth peace,Peace. Mercy. that is, the fauour of God, forgeuenes of ſinnes, quietnes of conſcience, and mercy: that is to ſay, helpe in afflictions and pardon of the remnantes of ſinne which remaine in our fleſh. Yea although they which walke after this rule be ouertaken with any ſinne, yet for that they are the children of grace and peace, mercy vpholdeth them, ſo that their ſinne and fall ſhall not be layd vnto their charge.

Verſe. 16. And vpon the Iſrael of God. Here he toucheth the falſe apoſtles and Iewes, which gloried of their fathers,Rom. 9.4.5. bragged that they were the people of God, that they had the lawe, &c. As if he ſayd: They are the Iſrael of God, which wt faithfull Abraham beleue the promiſes of God offered already in Chriſt,Rom. 9.7 8. whether they be Iewes or Gentiles, and not they which are begotten of Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob after the fleſh. This matter is largely handled before in the third Chapter.