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  • From: "Mark D. Nanos" <nanos AT gvi.net>
  • To: "Corpus-paul" <corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: re: Gal 2
  • Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 00:10:02 -0500


Dear Kay,
You wrote:
As I read it, the text makes a very clear break at Gal 2:6 --
differentiating the subjects of 2:6 from those of 2:4-5.

The syntax here is very difficult, and many arguments have and will be made about this. It seems to me that there is a movement within v. 6 from speaking of the pseudo-brethren to the apostles, yet both are referred to similarly in ironic terms, as reputed/seeming, thereby undermining the certainty of their authority on the terms that it is assumed. What this might mean is a big topic as well, and I will leave off my explanation at the moment.

Then Paul goes on
to explain that, instead of contributing to him, those who added nothing to
him, instead, affirmed him as he was. All this serves to undergird his
authority vis-a-vis the Jerusalem leaders.

This is where we disagree, even if you are correct at where the break falls. I do not think he is setting his authority against theirs, but I understand you to think that he does (do I get your usage of vis-a-vis here correct?). If that is Paul's aim, then why do you suppose he speaks of subordinating his good news message to their review in the first place, with the choice of language in verses 1-3 (e.g., ANETHEMHN; MH PWS EIS KENON TREXW H EDRAMON; HNAGKASTHH)? Or accepting the right hand from them, which suggests the closing of the narrative begun with his dyadic concern for legitimation from the other apostles in Jerusalem, does it not?


As for Paul trying to emphasize his own authority, 1:10-24 does just that.
Notice the urgency in Paul's language in 1:20.

I am not sure why 1:20 supports your point, but I take the argument of 1:1, 10-24; 2:1-10, 11-21 to together make the point that while Paul may have arrived at his understanding independent of the Jewish interest group he formerly represented, and even the one that he does now (note: Paul refers to them as separate groups between 1:16 and 17, with OUDE), he has been found to represent the consensus views of this latter one, regardless of the pressure that may be brought to bear upon himself and the other members of this group by the represents of his former group. The issue is whether the beliefs and practices of his new coalition need to be legitimated by the powerful groups he formerly represented, or not, since those who represent the norms of this group have all received the basis of their legitimacy from God's revelation in Christ (cf. 2:7-8).

Regards,
Mark Nanos




  • re: Gal 2, Kathryn J. S. Smith, 09/21/2000
    • <Possible follow-up(s)>
    • re: Gal 2, Mark D. Nanos, 09/22/2000
    • re: Gal 2, Dieter Mitternacht, 09/22/2000
    • re: Gal 2, Loren Rosson, 09/22/2000
    • re: Gal 2, Dieter Mitternacht, 09/24/2000
    • re: Gal 2, Mark D. Nanos, 09/24/2000
    • re: Gal 2, Loren Rosson, 09/25/2000

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