A rhetorical analysis of the letter to the Galatians

Abstract

English: The aim of this study is to present a text-centred descriptive analysis of the way in which Paul uses the Letter to the Galatians in order to persuade the Galatians to accept his view of the gospel. In Part 1 an overview of existing rhetorical analyses of the Letter to the Galatians is presented. It is shown that the normal approach in the rhetorical analysis of this letter is to choose a specific rhetorical model whereby the letter is then analysed rhetorically. It is also shown that, although there are some exceptions, scholars mostly prefer to use ancient rhetorical models to perform a rhetorical analysis of this letter. The approach followed in this study is then outlined: It differs from the normal approach in that a specific rhetorical model is not chosen in order to analyse the letter rhetorically, but, instead, Paul's rhetorical strategy is reconstructed from the text itself. In Part 2 Paul's rhetorical strategy is then reconstructed from the letter itself. The letter is divided into eighteen sections and Paul's dominant rhetorical strategy is identified in each section and described, in conjunction with all the supportive strategies and rhetorical techniques used. In Part 3 some characteristics of Paul's rhetorical strategy in the Letter to the Galatians are discussed. Two issues are highlighted: First, the overall organisation of his argument in the letter is discussed and summarised in terms of the following six objectives: First objective: Convince the audience of his divine authorisation (1:1-2:10). Second objective: Convince the audience that his gospel is the true gospel (2:11- 3:14). Third objective: Convince the audience of the inferiority of the law (3:15-25). Fourth objective: Convince the audience that the "gospel" of the opponents represents spiritual slavery and, instead, urge them to remain spiritually free by adhering to his gospel (3:26-5:1). Fifth objective: Convince the audience to act as he wishes them to: not to succumb to the pressure to be circumcised; to avoid the opponents; and to live according to the Spirit (5:2-6:10). Sixth objective: Final refutation of the opponents (6:11-18). Secondly, the wide variety of arguments Paul uses in the letter is discussed. It is shown that the most important arguments he uses, are those based on the notion of divine authorisation, Scriptural arguments, an appeal to shared Christian tradition, the experience of the audience, vilification of the opponents, analogy, emotional arguments, and shared knowledge.

Afrikaans: Die doel van die studie is 'n teksgesentreerde deskriptiewe analise van die manier waarop Paulus die Brief aan die Galasiërs gebruik om die Galasiërs te oorreed om sy weergawe van die evangelie te aanvaar. In Deel 1 word 'n oorsig van bestaande retoriese analises van die Brief aan die Galasiërs gegee. Daar word aangetoon dat die normale benadering in die retoriese analise van dié brief is om 'n spesifieke retoriese model te kies en dit te gebruik om 'n retoriese analise van die brief te doen. Die benadering wat in hierdie studie gevolg word, word dan beskryf: In plaas van die normale manier waarvolgens 'n spesifieke retoriese model gekies en op die brief afgeforseer word, word Paulus se retoriese strategie vanuit die teks self gerekonstrueer. In Deel 2 word Paulus se retoriese strategie op bogenoemde manier gerekonstrueer. Die brief word in agtien dele verdeel en Paulus se dominante retoriese strategie word telkens beskryf, asook die ondersteunende retoriese strategieë en tegnieke wat hy gebruik. In Deel 3 word sommige van die tipiese eienskappe van Paulus se retoriese strategie in die Brief aan die Galasiërs bespreek. Die volgende twee sake word uitgelig: Eerstens word die oorkoepelende organisasie van die argument in die brief bespreek en in terme van die volgende ses doelwitte saamgevat: Eerste doelwit: Oortuig die gehoor dat hy goddelike gesag het (1:1-2:10). Tweede doelwit: Oortuig die gehoor dat sy evangelie die ware evangelie is (2:11- 3:14). Derde doelwit: Oortuig die gehoor van die minderwaardigheid van die wet (3:15-25). Vierde doelwit: Oortuig die gehoor dat die "evangelie" van die opponente 'n vorm van geestelike slawerny verteenwoordig, en roep hulle op om liewer geestelik vry te wees deur by sy evangelie te bly (3:26-5:1). Vyfde doelwit: Oortuig die gehoor om op te tree soos hy wil hê: hulle moet nie toegee aan die druk van die opponente om besny te word nie; hulle moet die opponente vermy; en hulle moet volgens die Gees lewe (5:2-6:10). Sesde doelwit: Finale weerlegging van die opponente se standpunt (6:11-18). Tweedens word die groot verskeidenheid argumente wat Paulus in die brief gebruik, bespreek. Die belangrikste argumente is die gedagte van goddelike gesag, Skrifargumente, 'n beroep op Christelike tradisie, die ervaring van die gehoor, swartsmeer van die opponente, analogie, emosionele argumente en gedeelde kennis.