Exegeting Galatians (Original 2007 Live Study)

To neglect circumcision (b’rit milah) is to neglect the chosen sign of the covenant, and consequently, it is rejection of the covenant itself. Avraham did not hesitate to both circumcise himself and the males of his household. Looking forward at its effect in the biblical narratives, we learn that it was to become a unique marker, outwardly identifying those males of the offspring of Avraham, as i...

To neglect circumcision (b’rit milah) is to neglect the chosen sign of the covenant, and consequently, it is rejection of the covenant itself. Avraham did not hesitate to both circumcise himself and the males of his household. Looking forward at its effect in the biblical narratives, we learn that it was to become a unique marker, outwardly identifying those males of the offspring of Avraham, as i...

Covenants usually involved at least two parties. Likewise, there was usually a sign of the covenant being established. This sign, according to ancient Middle Eastern writings, was usually something that either party could carry on their person, such as a stone or other object. This sign, when viewed by either individual, served as a reminder that the person was under obligation to fulfill his part...

Summary Let us summarize what we have learned concerning the book of Galatians and the situation facing the Apostle there: Dovetailing what he composed in Galatians, in his letter to Rome, Sha'ul wrote in 3:28 that God considers a person righteous on the grounds of trusting, which has nothing to do with the Torah (or as in KJV “works of Law”). On the surface this seems problematic for my own teach...

3. Proselyte Conversion: “Works of Law” - Part One (Understanding the Background) Today (as well as 2000 years ago), Christianity has developed an unnecessary amount of paranoia surrounding circumcision. In some ways I cannot blame them for taking this stance. The rabbinic literature is replete with the significance of this ostensibly simple act. ...the influencers may be understood to be similarl...

5. “Works of Law” - Part Two In order to interpret Sha'ul correctly one needs to understand that the phrase [works of law] does not mean deeds done in virtue of following the Torah the way HaShem intended, but deeds done in consequence of perverting the Torah into a set of rules which, it is presumed, can be obeyed mechanically, automatically, legalistically, without having faith, without having t...

This installment represents the Sh’eil’ot u’T’shuv’ot (Questions and Answers) class and does not follow with the larger context of the notes. If you have questions, comments, corrections, or concerns about the book of Galatians (or the Apostle Paul) feel free to email me at yeshua613@hotmail.com. -- “Reisheet chokhmah yirat ADONAI!” (The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD!) Ariel ben-Lyma...

9. Excursus: Additional “Tough Phrasing” *This extended excursus to the “Tough Phrasing” section is a work in progress, with verses added as time permits. Please excuse my construction. In this extended excursus to Exegeting Galatians and its tough phrasing I wish to draw the student’s attention to various p’sukim (verses) that have traditionally led Christianity towards a passive or negative view...

Chapter Two Verse 3 Comments: The key to understanding this verse is the “force” of the Greek word translated as “compelled.” (Pun intended) Greek “compel” (ajnagkavzw, anagkadzo, to necessitate, compel, drive to, by force, threats, etc.)27, suggests that Titus, a Gentile believer did not even wish to be circumcised at that time, even though it is a clear command of Torah. And why would he not wis...

Verse 15, 16 - "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. Comments: "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners'...” The ke...

Verse 19 - For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. Comments: At first blush this verse seems to spell the end of any Torah relevance for the apostle. But a careful reading will reveal its true meaning. The verse starts out with the word “for” (Greek=gavrv, gar) a conjunction indicating that it is linked to a previous argument. In this case, Paul’s “for” represents an an...

Covenantal Nomism What Nanos and other recent scholars (E.P. Sanders, James D. G. Dunn, N. T. Wright, et al) are describing, as pertaining to Paul’s 1st century Judaism and how it reportedly defined itself, has been carefully labeled as Covenantal Nomism. Indeed, a “new perspective on Paul” (NPP) is on the rise. What is Covenantal Nomism? Theopedia.com provides a brief description for us to examin...

Chapter Three Verses 2, 3 - I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Comments: No other chapter of the Bible has caused more theological misunderstandings than Chapter Three of Galatians! We would do well...

Verse 6 - Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Comments: Throughout his letters, the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul) seems to take great interest in Avraham, referring to him no less than 29 times! Ya’akov (James) also makes use of Father Avraham in chapter 2 and verses 21-23 of his letter, going so far as to bring the binding of Isaac into the equation for u...

Chapter Three 3:2, 3 - I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Comments: No other chapter of the Bible has caused more theological misunderstandings than Chapter Three of Galatians! We would do well to t...

Verse 10- "All who rely..." Comments: This verse when misunderstood from its larger context will invariably lead the reader to the incorrect conclusion that Paul is advocating complete and mitzvah-by-mitzvah (commandment-by-commandment) Torah submission for everyone wishing to attain right-standing with the Almighty. That the 1st century Judaisms did not advocate a view which required complete Tor...

3:13 Comments: There are golden moments when the best interpretation of Scripture is Scripture. This verse seems to find a parallel in Chapter 4. The impact of Christ redeeming those who name his name for salvation from the curse of the law in 3:13 bears a striking similarity to 4:4 and the first part of 4:5 “…to redeem those under the law.” That we have previously defined the term “under the law”...

3:19 Concerning this verse (3:19) Stern seems, in some ways, to take the popular Christian view as noted above just a step further. While not casting the Torah in a negative light, he nonetheless seems to not fully capture the intended meaning of Paul’s point there in verse 19. Because of his widespread acceptance among many messianic believers, his view is worth critiquing. Moreover, his populari...

10. Summary In my historical research into this book by Rav Sha’ul (Apostle Paul), I have discovered that much of the social fabric of the 1st Century Judaisms that we read about suffered from a sickness I like to call Ethnocentric Jewish Exclusivism. I have written about this concept in another paper that dealt with studies on group prejudice. I believe it nicely summarizes our study on Galatians...

12. The Promise A “Christian” attempt at disproving the validity of the important covenantal sign of circumcision has caused much strife and division among the body of believing Jews and Gentiles. The matter is made clear when we understand that HaShem never meant for this sign to secure the promises for the believer! This was to be the sign that he was connected via covenant to a larger family. I...