III. The Rhetorical Response: A Defense of the Message and the Messenger

A. Introduction (exordium) and Thesis (propositio) in 1:6–12

1. Paul's astonishment at their turning to a different, "human" gospel

 

2.

 

3. Implied Thesis: "There is no other gospel than the one revealed to me, and I'm going to prove it"

 

B. Arguments (argumentatio)

1. First Heading (1:13–2:21): The gospel is proven by Paul's experience of:

a. Receiving a gospel given by the risen Christ, not (a) man (1:11–24)

 

b. Successfully defending the gospel he proclaims at the Jerusalem conference (2:1–10)

 

c. Successfully opposing the circumcision party and Peter in Antioch (2:11–21)

 

d. Realizing that Jews too are justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the Law (2:15–3:21; cf. James 2:14–26)

 

 

2. Second Heading (3:1–4:11): The gospel is proven by the Galatians' experience of:

a.

 

b. The blessing of Abraham (3:6–29)

 

c. Going from slaves to sons (4:1–4:11)

 

C. Conclusion (peroratio) in 4:12–6:18

1. A pathetic appeal (conquestio) alluding to the arguments and the exordium (4:12–20)

a. "Brothers, I beg you, become as I . . ." (v. 12a; see III.B.1.d)

 

b. ". . . because I also became as you" (v. 12a; see III.B.2.c)

 

c. An emotion-laden reminder of Paul's initial preaching of the Gospel (vv. 12b–20; cf. 1:1–9)

 

2. Refutation: An allegorical refutation of those who wish to be under the Law (4:21–5:1)

 

3. Exhortation: "For freedom Christ has set up free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (5:1; 5:1–6:18)

a. The ultimatum:

 

"In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (5:6)

b. Freedom to love (5:13–6:10)

(1) "The whole Law is fulfilled in one word:

 

(2) The Works of the Flesh vs. the Fruit of the Spirit  (vv. 16–26)

 

(3)

 

c. An Emphatic Final Warning and Blessing (6:11–18)