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  • From: Frich107 AT aol.com
  • To: corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Corpus-Paul] Ambiguous irony in Galatians 1 & 2
  • Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 12:09:21 EDT

Most recently my research has led me to look at Galatians chapters 1 & 2 in
quite some detail, with the aim of seeing how Paul views other apostles.
Paul's
comments about Peter and James have fascinated me, particularly as I have
looked into the Greek text, which is, in my opinion, significantly more
ambiguous
than many translations suggest. In particular I am interested in what other
list members think about two verses.

The first is 1:19 where Paul speaks of meeting James in Jerusalem. I am
interested in reigniting the debate over whether James is included with the
apostles here, especially in light of the more ambiguous reference to him in
1
Corinthians 15:7, where he appears, in my opinion, to be distinguished from
the
other apostles by EPEITA. What do others think? I am aware that modern
commentators on the whole seem to think that this is a resolved issue, but in
the light
of recent changes in thought over Romans 16:7 on lexical semantical grounds,
by
Burer and Wallace, I think that the time is ripe to challenge the established
view on this.

The second verse is Galatians 2:9, and the issue for me is how one should
read OI DOKOUNTES STULOI EI NAI. The New Revised Standard translation, and
many
commentators seem to believe that this is a straight forward acknowledgement
of
James, Peter and John as upstanding leaders in the early church. I, however,
see this as being made purposely ambiguous by Paul. It could alternatively be
read as 'those who are supposed to be pillars' in a rather ironic, or
sarcastic, tone of voice. I appreciate that both are perfectly possible
readings of
the Greek, but what do other list members think?

Regards,
Fred Rich.

Ph.D. Student,
Department of Biblical Studies,
University of Sheffield,
Sheffield,
South Yorkshire,
UK.




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