Chapter 3 – Galatians

Situating the Vision: An Introduction to Galatians The issue at the forefront of the letter – circumcision Galatians – presents a “raw Paulinism”

Situating the Vision The Contest for the Theological Allegiance of Galatian Followers of the Messiah Paul’s relationship to the Galatians The role of the agitators How Paul construes the influence of the agitators Mutating the gospel (1:6–7) Connects them with false believers (2:4–5) They have “bewitched” (injured with the evil eye) the Galatians (3:1) Trying to “win over” the Galatians “for no good” (4:17) They are self-interested (6:12–13, 15)

Situating the Vision The Contest for the Theological Allegiance of Galatian Followers of the Messiah The Agitators Finishing the work Paul began Hostile toward Paul Circumcision and the Mosaic Law The larger issue, obedience to the law (4:21; cf. 3:10. quoting Deut 27:26) The agitators possibly taught a form of gradualism Paul points to the weaknesses of obeying the law (5:3; 6:13) Paul’s freedom from the law and its dangers (2:17; cf. Rom 3:7–8; 6:1, 15)

Situating the Vision Other Galatian Issues Location of addressees: southern Galatia or northern Galatia Date of the letter: late 40s to mid-50s Jerusalem visit (Gal 2:1–10) and its relationship to Acts 11:27–30 and 15:1–29 Identity of agitators and motives for proposing circumcision: local Jews or Jewish Christians with connections to Jerusalem-based Jesus groups

Situating the Vision South Galatia: Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (see Acts 13:14–15; 14:1; 16:3) North Galatia: Region around modern day Ancyra (see Acts 16:6; 18:23)

Centering the Vision of Galatians: The Apocalyptic Christ Comes Alive The Story of Jesus Paul merges this story with the story of his own life (see 1:15–16; 2:20; cf. 6:17 ) Paul merges this story with the story of Galatian Jesus- followers (see 4:19; cf. 3:27) The ethical vision – “crucified with Christ” and “Christ in me” Self-giving love – it marks out the Jesus story (1:4; cf. 2:20) and is to mark out the story of Jesus-followers (5:6, 14) The Fruit of the Spirit – package of divine character (5:22–23) The role of the Spirit and Paul’s argument against the necessity of being circumcised (see 4:6; 5:14)

Centering the Vision of Galatians The Apocalyptic Framework of Galatians Two systems The Flesh (5:17) Life/love The triumph of God in the death and resurrection of Christ God’s invasion and redemption (1:4) The identity of Jesus-followers (6:14, 15)

Tracking the Vision of Galatians 1:1–5: Letter Opening 1:6–2:21: Paul’s Apostleship and the Truth of the Gospel 3:1–5:1: Reading Scripture in Light of the Truth of the Gospel 5:2–6:10: Living Out the Truth of the Gospel 6:11–18: Summarizing the Essentials of the Letter

Tracking the Vision of Galatians The Opening (1:1–5) Three themes: Paul’s apostolic legitimacy, the self-giving of Jesus, and the apocalyptic schema of two spheres of life Historical Survey (1:10–2:14) Divine origin of Paul’s gospel Confirmation of Paul’s gospel by those in Jerusalem Paul’s affirmation of the truth of the gospel in the face of those who have attempted to water it down Against those promoting the circumcision of Gentile Jesus- followers Against those Jewish Jesus-followers who separated from Gentile Jesus-followers in corporate gatherings

Tracking the Vision of Galatians Theological Articulation of the Gospel (2:15–21) Basis for rejecting the attempts of those watering down the gospel he preaches The insufficiency of the law to effect God’s plan of salvation The “works of the law” Traditional view since Reformation – earning salvation by works New Perspective on Paul – maintaining the covenant identity of the Jewish people

Tracking the Vision of Galatians Experience of the Spirit (3:1–3) Link to Abraham’s story (3:4–9, see Gen 15:6) Scriptural depiction of observing the law and enjoying God’s righteousness (3:10–14) Life and condemnation promised to observers of the law (Lev 18:5; Deut 27:26) No one can observe it worthily and so they are under its curse (see Gal 3:10) The path to enjoying God’s righteousness is through faith (Hab 2:4), reinforcing the Abraham story Christ was cursed by the law and liberates others from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13–14)

Tracking the Vision of Galatians The promise to Abraham and the giving of the law (3:15–18) The purpose of the law (3:19–23) The law as a pedagogue (3:24–25) Funeral stele honoring two sons and their pedagogue

Tracking the Vision of Galatians The Ethos of those in the family of God (3:26–4:7) Those baptized into Christ and clothed with Christ enjoy intimacy with God. Those in the family of God are drawn from all parts of humanity. Those who “belong to Christ” are incorporated into “Abraham’s seed,” to whom the Spirit had been promised.

Tracking the Vision of Galatians Those living under the law are presented as living in slavery (4:8–11) Under the stoicheia tou kosmou Paul’s initial visit to the Galatians and their enlivenment by spiritual forces, which is in question now (4:12–20) Allegorically interpreting the story of Hagar and Sarah through the lens of slavery and freedom (4:21–5:1)

Tracking the Vision of Galatians That which really matters – “faith working through love” (5:6) Freedom and responsibility The battle between the flesh and the life of love that the Spirit generates Keeping in step with the Spirit and the law of Christ Jesus washing his disciples’ feet

Tracking the Vision of Galatians Paul’s reiteration of the main themes of the letter (6:11– 18) Paul’s large letters (6:11) Questionable character of the agitators (6:12–13) What matters – living a cruciform life (6:14–15) Paul’s life lived in such a manner (6:17)