Paul expresses amazement that the Galatians could return to the “weak and poor elements” after being liberated by Christ (Galatians 4:9). But were the elements always so weak and beggarly? It seems not. They were powerful enough to enslave (4:3). To be sure, they enslaved children, but that does take some power. Further, Paul describes the former life of the Galatians as a life under ( hupo ) the stoicheia , an expression that parallels Paul’s talk of enslavement under... Read more
Galatians 3-4 is constructed with a fairly neat chiasm: A. Abraham, Spirit, faith, 3:1-14 B. The Law is not mediator of one, 3:15-22 C. We were under tutors, 3:23-26 D. Baptism, 3:27-29 C’. Under stoicheia, 4:1-11 B’. Personal appeal, 4:12-20 A’. Abraham’s two sons, one by the Spirit, 4:21-31 The B sections don’t seem to fit. But they do: (more…) Read more
Paul begs the Galatians to become as he is (Galatians 4:12). In context, this means, “Give up circumcision, the Jewish food laws, observance of days, months and seasons.” Why should they? The basis for Paul’s exhortation is the fact that he has become as they are: “Become as I, because I also as you.” He became as a Gentile among the Gentiles, as weak among the weak. Behind this is Paul’s consciousness that his ministry must be conformed to Christ’s.... Read more
Galatians 4 is clearly about the law’s role as guardian and steward in charge of Israel during her minority. But Paul’s description of Israel applies just as well to Adam. Adam was created a minor son, an infant, but was promised an inheritance. Paul hints at the Adamic dimensions of Israel’s history under the law by saying that the minor child is treated like a slave thought he is “lord of all” (4:1). That’s Adam: under command, though created to... Read more
Matthew 21:23-25 (possible 26:16) all takes place on a single day. Jesus comes to the temple a second time, wrangles with the priests and Pharisees, prounounces woes over them, predicts the destruction of the temple and the final review of sheep and goats. This is the “day of Yahweh,” the day of Yahweh’s visitation to Israel, the day that seals their doom just as much as the day they put Jesus on trial. After this day, Jesus leaves the temple... Read more
Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) is normally taken as a parable about Jesus’ ministry. The invitees who refuse to come are the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day, and the people from the streets are the tax gatherers and sinners or the Gentiles. The man cast out is a warning about apostasy from the church. This interpretation has a major difficulty. Jesus is addressing the chief priests, elders and Pharisees (21:23, 45). It’s hard to see what relevance... Read more
Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast seems grotesquely exaggerated. Invitees killing the messenger? A wedding host destroying a city? A poor slob without a tux being thrown into “outer darkness”? In a 1996 JBL article, Richard Bauckham addresses these oddities by highlighting the political dimensions of the parable. The feast is not only a wedding feast, not only a king’s banquet, but the wedding feast of the king’s son, his successor: “The attendance of the great men of the kingdom... Read more
Daniel Olson ( CBQ 2005) revives JM Duncan Derrett’s suggestion that the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14 is dependent on the LXX of Zephaniah 1. After offering a translation of both passages in parallel, showing verbal links, he adds: “In addition to these highlighted correspondences . . . there are two parallels in ideas but not language that call for special comment: f onei—apoktenouvntoi (Matt 22:7; Zeph 1:10) and fimoo—eulambano (Matt 22:12; Zeph 1:7). Hebrew hrg (“slay”),... Read more
INTRODUCTION This section of Proverbs focuses on issues of image, wealth, work, and treatment of employees (vv. 8-12), and ends with two verses that deal again with the use of the tongue (vv. 13-14). The final verses connect this section to the preceding section of this chapter (12:1-7). Thus, the section on wealth and labor is surrounded by instruction concerning speech. Speech is interwoven with all areas of human life, and the Proverbs manifest this by returning to this theme... Read more
INTRODUCTION This section of Proverbs 11 highlights several issues. The first two verses treat issues of honesty and dishonesty; verses 3-8 describe the security of the righteous. Verses 9-14 return to various concerns regarding the use of the tongue, which was a theme of the previous chapter. HONESTY AND HUMILITY Proverbs 11:1 urges honesty in economic transactions. The balance and the weight refer to the disks that a merchant would use to weigh out goods to determine price. Weights would... Read more
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