In this article, I look at the structure of Gal. 6:14-17, in particular concentrating on verses 15 and 16. One of the aims of this investigation is to see whether Paul’s intriguing use of the term “without strength” in relation to circumcision/uncircumcision distinctions in v. 15 might be thematically and structurally related to his use of the term “the Israel of God” to describe New Covenant Christian believers in v. 16 – the name Israel having a literal meaning of something like “strength in God” or “prevailing with God”.

The blessings to believers as the New Creation and their strength in God as “New Covenant Israel” described in verses 15 and 16 are surrounded in verses 14 and 17 by Paul’s declaration of his identification with the wounds and death of Jesus Christ. Thus, we have, (literally), “strength in weakness” in verses 14-17, and the present article concludes with a reflection on the possible typological significance of the wounding in the thigh that Jacob received when wrestling and prevailing with God at the Brook Jabbok in Gen Ch. 32 – at which time he was blessed and received his new name, Israel.

Categories: Chiastic and Other Structures, Galatians, New Testament Exegesis, Old Testament Exegesis, Typology

Tags: Bible, Chiasm, chiastic, christianity, circumcision, Galatians Ch. 6, God, Israel, Israel of God, Jacob, Jesus, New Creation, Paul, Received Text, Strength, Structure, Textus Receptus, Weakness