[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] in Galatians 5:5-6: Neglected Evidence for the Faithfulness of Christ‪.‬

The aim of this article is to investigate the meaning of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] in Gal 5:5-6 and the significance of Gal 5:5-6 for the debate about the meaning of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. When investigating the two phrases [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (5:6), we must interpret them both in relation to the meaning of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (1) and with a view to the current debate about [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], not only because [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] is an abbreviation of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (2) but also because both [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] occur in the rhetorical context of a passage concerned with justification. (3) The discussion of how to interpret Paul's notoriously difficult expression [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] has been one of the main debates in recent Pauline scholarship. (4) The debate has revolved largely around the issue of whether the phrase should be understood as the Christian's act of "faith in Christ" (objective genitive) or as "the faith(fulness) of Christ" (subjective genitive). Although a number of scholars previously tackled the issue, (5) it has resurfaced as a thorny problem in Pauline scholarship within the last twenty or so years.6 In recent years, a growing number of scholars (especially North American scholars) have claimed that the meaning of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] is "the faith(fulness) of Christ." (7) Many scholars, however, have maintained the traditional interpretation--that [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] refers to the Christian's act of "faith in Christ." (8) Alternatively, some scholars have argued that it refers to "Christ-faith" (9) or "Christic-faith." (10) Recently Albert Vanhoye has suggested that the meaning of "credibility or trustworthiness" of Christ suits well some texts because the "trustworthiness" of Christ is what makes the Christian's "faith" possible. (11) In spite of so many contributions to the debate, the discussion has not come to an end, and no scholarly consensus may yet be discerned. (12) Although there is no consensus about the meaning of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], it is generally agreed that its precise meaning cannot be decided on grammatical and syntactical grounds alone, (13) and thus this issue must be settled by the exegetical study of the relevant texts. (14) Recognizing the insufficiencies of arguments based on grammar and syntax, Richard B. Hays states, "Our interpretative decision about the meaning of Paul's phrase ... must be governed by larger judgements and logic of Paul's thought concerning faith, Christ, and salvation." (15) Without attempting to rehearse the grammatical and syntactical issues pertinent to the phrase, (16) then, the present discussion will focus on the interpretation of [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] in Gal 5:5-6 through a contextual and exegetical study of these verses.