Peter Oakes on the Curse of the Cross

I just received Peter Oakes’ Galatians commentary (Paideia) which is a neat read. Its got some great stuff in it, esp. on historical backgrounds, and sociology. Here is a good Easter-esque quote for Good Friday from Oakes:

Galatians 3:13 represents a radical Christian theological appropriation of the general social phenomenon of the cursed criminal. Christ fulfills this role for the whole community, drawing all the curse onto himself, leaving the community free. They are “redeemed,” that is, they have a freedom purchased at a price, the price of Christ’s crucifixion.