Abstract

DU TOIT, Philip la G. Reading Galatians 6:16 in line with Paul's contrast between the new aeon in Christ and the old aeon before the Christ event. STJ [online]. 2016, vol.2, n.2, pp.203-225. ISSN 2413-9467.  https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2016.v2n2.a10.

This contribution argues for viewing 'the Israel of God' in Galatians 6:16 as pointing to God's people in the previous aeon before the Christ event. Prevalent interpretations of Galatians 6:16 are critiqued in view of the prevalent connotations to the terms Ισραήλ and Ιουδαίος in the post-exilic period, Paul's understanding of the fulfilment of Israel's messianic hope, and the way in which Paul redefines identity in Christ and the Spirit. Galatians 6:16 is read with the third και as a normal copulative (not epexegetically), constituting a contrast of the old aeon before or outside of Christ in the "flesh'" under the law with the new aeon in Christ and the Spirit in Galatians and beyond.

Keywords : The Israel of God; Israel's hope; Paul; Galatians; Identity.

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