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Document Details : Title: Peace and Mercy Upon the Israel of God Subtitle: The Old Testament Background of Galatians 6,16b Author(s): BEALE, G.K. Journal: Biblica Volume: 80 Issue: 2 Date: 1999 Pages: 204-223 DOI: 10.2143/BIB.80.2.3200560 Abstract : This essay has contended that Paul’s reference to 'new creation' and the pronouncement of 'peace and mercy' on the readers in Gal 6,15-16 is best understood against the background of Isa 54,10 and the surrounding context of similar new creation themes elsewhere in Isa 32-66, which are echoed also earlier in Galatians, especially in 5,22-26. The analysis confirms those prior studies which have concluded that 'the Israel of God' refers to all Christians in Galatia, whether Jewish or Christian. Lastly, the demonstration of an Isaianic background for the concept of new creation in Gal 6,15-16 falls in line with Paul’s other reference to 'new creation' in 2 Cor 5,17 and John’s allusion to new creation in Rev 3,14, where Isa 43 and 65-66 stand behind both passages. Isa 54,10 was likely not the sole influence on Gal 6,16, but such texts as Psalm 84 (LXX), the Qumran Hymn Scroll (1QH 13,5), and Jub 22,9 may have formed a collective impression on Paul, with the Isaiah text most in focus; alternatively, the texts in Qumran and Jubilees may be mere examples of a similar use of Isaiah 54 on a parallel trajectory with that of Paul’s in Galatians 6. |
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