Corpus-Paul

["Tim Gallant" <tim AT rabbisaul.com>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Krantz @ optonline.net" <jkrantz AT optonline.net>
To: "Corpus-Paul" <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 5:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Galatians 3:10


> Thanks Tim,
>
> I wonder, given your reading, if you would extend the "us" of 3:13 to Jews
> as well?

I think you misunderstand my point. I think "us" in 3.13 probably refers 
exclusively to Jews (qualifying that by saying that proselytes would be 
included).

To be sure, this is stated specifically to make a paranetic point regarding 
the Gentiles. The fact that it took Christ's representative death to remove 
Jews from the paidagogos-covenant illustrates how absurd it is for Christian 
Gentiles, who have already been made partakers of the new covenant, to seek 
to come under Torah.

> 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?

See, here is where we get into trouble with the "observant" language. Does 
it mean faithfully adhering to the Torah covenant per se, or does it simply 
mean following the norms for the sake of something else? Paul denies the 
former and affirms the latter in 1 Cor 9.19ff. He makes quite clear that he 
is not under Torah - but he is happy to live as one under Torah, so that he 
might win those who are (9.20). But in reality the "Torah" he is under, he 
says, is Christ Himself (9.21).

tim

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