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  • From: "Jeff Krantz @ optonline.net" <jkrantz AT optonline.net>
  • To: Corpus-Paul <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Galatians 3:10
  • Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 07:54:22 -0500

Thanks Tim,

I wonder, given your reading, if you would extend the "us" of 3:13 to Jews as well? That is to say, that one could, in Paul's point of view seek to be observant (as an identity maker, for instance) without risking the "curse?" This would seem to fit with Paul's understanding of the dawning of the new age. Or, perhaps to say it better, perhaps the "curse" exists still (that is to say, discernment as to whether or not given behavior conforms to Torah exists) but it doesn't condemn?

This is an ill formed question, I know, but I would like to work that out.

Jeff K.


----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Gallant" <tim AT rabbisaul.com>
To: "Corpus-Paul" <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 10:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Galatians 3:10


I have to say that is the closest I've seen us come with regard to any
particular exegesis, Dr Nanos!

I believe that Paul is warning that coming under Torah involves a curse
against departure from it. Where I would differ (I think) from Dr Nanos is
that I believe Paul's point in 3.13 is that Christian Jews too have been
released from the Torah covenant, because Christ has borne that curse which
stood against them, and therefore they can now move into the new covenant
without bearing that curse themselves.

At any rate, whatever reading one takes of 3.10, one is compelled to
integrate it with one's reading of 3.13, because the latter verse clearly
intends to pick up on the problem of the former.

FWIW.

tim

------------------
Tim Gallant
Pastor, Conrad Christian Reformed Church
http://www.timgallant.org
http://www.rabbisaul.com


----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark D. Nanos" <mark AT marknanos.com>
To: "Corpus Paul" <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Galatians 3:10


Dear Jeff,
Delighted that you are discussing Irony! Not sure what the issue is
concerning Paul's Torah-observance and the language of curse in 3:10ff.
Can
you be more specific about the problem, so I can try to speak to it? In
general, I offer the following.

The curse for failure to observe the Torah is classic for Torah-observant
Jews who subscribed to the Deuteronomistic view of things, so not sure
what
is at issue for you; non-Torah observant more likely to doubt the gravity
of
Torah-obligation. Even today potential proselyte candidates are warned in
Rabbinic Judaism of the responsibility that they are considering taking
on,
the obligation of Torah and consequences that follow for those who turn
from
it thereafter. Candidates are in fact ritually dissuaded from adopting
that
course. Paul's reasons were different, and his argument, but the issue of
Torah-observance for him is not related, as far as I can see--if you
attend
to the rhetorical context of the narrative from 3:6ff, which is determined
by the situational argument of 3:1-5, specifically, against proselyte
conversion for those non-Jews who have already gained in Christ that which
proselyte conversion otherwise promises to candidates upon completion.
Hence, to undertake it now would for them constitute an admission that
they
had not gained what the gospel of Christ claims for them (as non-Jews, and
thus, just like Jews can claim), and the Spirit already witnesses in their
lives. So they cannot undertake it in this Judaism, unlike in other Jewish
groups. That would be like turning back the clock, so to speak, to the
time
before the changing of eons with Jesus Christ, and becoming vulnerable to
an
outcome that need not apply to themselves. Instead they should celebrate
their inclusion as non-Jews; even if that involves some marginalization,
for
the alternative also has its drawbacks--and they are graver for them in
particular, so Paul argues, I think.

Hope this helps, but let me know if something more specific at issue, or
if
anyone else wishes to discuss this somewhat convoluted passage. I have
much
more work to do on it myself someday.

Take care,
Mark
--
Mark D. Nanos, Ph.D.
Soebbing Visiting Scholar, Rockhurst University
Lecturer, University of Kansas
Co-Moderator, Corpus Paulinum
http://www.marknanos.com



on 3/27/06 7:29 PM, Jeff Krantz @ optonline.net at jkrantz AT optonline.net
wrote:

Quick question for Mark or someone familiar with his work about Galatians
3:10. I'm doing a presentation on Paul for a local clericus (interfaith)
tomorrow, and I'll be talking about The Irony of Galatians. In light of
Mark's suggestion that Paul is himself Torah observant, I wonder how I
might
deal with the "curse" of 3:10ff. All that is present in the book is the
inclusion of the passage among those that are examples of "ironic"
speech.

Anything else I might speak to if it comes up?

Thanks,

Jeff Krantz


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