Corpus-Paul

["Mark D. Nanos" <nanos AT gvi.net>]

> hOSOI EX ERGWN NOMOU EISIN defines what this identity they wanted to obtain
> is, right? Then, 3.10 seems to imply that the Jewish people are under
> curse!
> ????
> Is this downside risk that they are under curse (hUPO KATARAN EISIN)
> (3.10)?
> If so, why is it so? In particular, how do you take the quotation from Deut
> (3.10b)?
Dear Moon,
The study of this argument is a large project. I again recommend the 
article by Scott as a good starting point, with good bibliography to 
get you going in a direction that is more helpful in my opinion than 
those whom you had cited in your post. He does a nice job of 
explaining the exilic notion of curse and anticipation of restoration 
from Deut. 27-32 as interpreted in Jewish sources such as Dan. 9, 2 
Macc. 7, 1 En. 93.9-10, and CD 1.3-11, among others.

Paul seems here to share an understanding with some other 
identifiable Jewish interpreters that Israel was suffering exile at 
this time and awaiting restoration. But Paul believes that this 
awaited time has begun for Israel, and thus for the nations too, in 
Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:1-5; the writer of Damascus Doc. sees this in 
Teacher of Righteousness).

The implied question for the Galatian gentiles seems to be whether 
they would, having already participated in the awaited restoration 
(they have received the Spirit as evidence), now decide to turn back 
the clock for themselves, you might say, by becoming proselyte 
members of Israel according to the standard of an "earlier" time, 
instead of representatives of the nations according to the promised 
to Abraham now fulfilled. In Paul's view it seems that the latter 
course would be understood to better serve Israel's interests as 
well, gentiles turning to God bearing witness to the arrival of the 
time of restoration long awaited. Paul's argument: the time has 
changed, you gentiles are now already children among the righteous 
ones of Israel, the promise to Abraham has arrived; but your 
conversion would imply otherwise, so do not do it.

Regards,
Mark Nanos