Corpus-Paul

[Jerry Sumney <jsumney AT lextheo.edu>]

Robert Leonzio wrote:
I am a graduate student with a question concerning Paul's' use of "works of 
the law" in Galatians.  Could someone give me an insight as to what he is 
referring to here.  I am reading this as Jewish pious practices in the 
absence of faith.

I reply:

Bob, I think this is to miss the rhetorical punch of the expression for 
Paul's purpose.  I think "works of the Law" is a phrase Paul creates to 
make the views of the other teachers unacceptable.  It is his denigration 
of their urging of circumcision and holy days on the Galatian Gentiles. 
 There is no reason to think that the phrase intends to address the 
practice of non-Christian Jews at all.  I think Paul is the one who makes a 
big theological issue of this matter.  We do not know what the other 
teachers think is gained by accepting these limited requirements, but we 
can be certain that what they ask is much less than adherence to the whole 
of the Jewish law and lifestyle--just look at 5:3 where Paul seems to 
expect them to be shocked at the idea that they are committing themselves 
to the whole law.  That this is an unexpected and unwanted result of 
listening to the teachers can be seen by the list of consequences it 
appears in:  Christ is of no benefit (v. 2), you must keep the whole law 
(v. 3), and you cut yourself off from Christ (v. 4).

        All of that to say that when Paul uses this phrase he does not have 
in 
mind any broad range of commands.  It is a polemical accusation which Paul 
thinks will make the Galatians reject the other teaching.

Jerry
Jerry L. Sumney
Lexington Theological Seminary
631 S. Limestone
Lexington, KY 40508
jsumney AT lextheo.edu
(606) 252-0361

-----Original Message-----
From:   Robert Leonzio [SMTP:bob AT ehrs.upenn.edu]
Sent:   Friday, May 21, 1999 11:05 AM
To:     Corpus-paul
Subject:        Galatians 2:16; 19-20

I am a graduate student with a question concerning Paul's' use of "works of 
the law" in Galatians.  Could someone give me an insight as to what he is 
referring to here.  I am reading this as Jewish pious practices in the 
absence of faith.


Bob Leonzio, University of Pennsylvania






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