Corpus-Paul

["Jon Peter" <jnp AT home.com>]

Mark wrote:

>Of course Jewish people should observe the Law, that is not the problem but
>an advantage (note that by the logic of 1 Cor. 7:17-20 to remain in a
>circumcised state and Gal. 5:3 that one in a circumcised state is obliged
>to observe the Law, that Paul holds this view).

For Paul, a radical distinction exists between Jews who become Christ's, and
those who reject him and so remain under legal bondage. Through baptism into
Christ, a Jew "dies" to the law and, being "dead" becomes free thereafter
from its obligations. (Gal 4.28-31, etc.)

Hence your statement above is partly correct and partly wrong (if I
understand it).  Yes, unbaptized Jews must observe the law. But that's
hardly an advantage! Paul rather urges baptism as the remedy for the legal
curse.

Your citation of  1Cor 7.17-20 ("remain circumcised") may be interpreted
several ways, but emphatically it cannot be exegeted to mean 'baptized Jews,
keep obeying laws,' for that contradicts everything Paul teaches.

Regards,

Jon