Exegesis: Word Study: “Israel” in Galatians 6:16 Essay (Critical Writing)

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Introduction

As Paul is concluding his letter to the Galatians, his words are reflected as a strong benediction. In Galatians 6:16, Paul pronounces certain blessings to particular people, who he terms as “the Israel of God”. It is this blessing and the phrase, “the Israel of God” that results in a myriad of debates with varied opinions about who could be “the Israel of God” that the Apostle is referring to in the phrase. Thus, this essay is an analysis of this descriptive phrase as applied by Paul in his letter to the people of Galatia. In response, the writer seeks to analyze the meaning of the exegesis word in context and carry out further analysis of its application in the New Testament as evidence for the meaning created.

Main body

I believe that the utilization of the term “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 by Paul meant the church. I think the phrase was meant to address all believers of Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles. Thus, Paul is invoking both mercy and peace to everyone that abides with the new creation. As it is, the church becomes the “spiritual and true Israel” and not necessarily native Jews. While there are no other instances in the New Testament where the phrase is applied, Paul frequently uses similar words to describe all the believers of Christ. Thus, even though there is no explicit use of the term “Israel” in other epistles as written by Paul, he more than once applies the use of Old Testament language that is synonymous with the word “Israel.” For instance, the Apostle Paul refers to believers as the chosen or elect of God (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:4). Another term that he uses to refer to the church is the “called” (Rom 8:28), or as the sons of Abraham (Gal 3:7), as well as the children of God (Rom 8:14). Further, Paul clearly explains the difference that exists between ethnic Israelites and the spiritual Israelites in his epistles to the Romans. He explains that being a Jew is not an outward deed, and neither is the act of circumcision. Ideally, he explains that “for one to be considered an actual Jew, he must have a heart that has been circumcised by the Spirit” (Rom, 2:28-29). Ideally, it is only Jews that recognized the act of circumcision to make them whole. Going by the words of Paul, therefore, the Gentiles also qualify to be termed as Jews if they also follow the doctrine of the gospel because following the gospel means circumcision through the spirit. Ideally, the context under which the “Israel of God” has been applied in Gal 6:16 qualifies to be understood as a reference to everyone that believes in the gospel of Christ, whether native Jews or Gentiles.

I further believe that grammar is an inadequate context for understanding the application of this phrase, as such, an analysis of the meaning where it appears to be most appropriate. Notably, the entire letter to the people of Galatia is a reprimand to the Jews arguing that the Gentiles need not abide by the Jewish practices and circumcision as well as the works of the law to be justified as the people of God. (2:16; 3:2; 5:2-6). He further argues that any person of faith qualifies to be called the sons of Abraham through believing in Christ (Gal 3:7, 14). Thus, the Galatians qualify to be called the sons of God through Christ, in whom they believe through adoption (4:4-7).

Conclusion

In conclusion, my understanding of the entire context of Paul’s letter to the Galatians depicts that, Paul’s expression of the “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 refers to all believers of Christ, either Jew or Gentiles.

Work Cited

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Ed. Ridling Zaine. Washington, D.C: National Council of the Churches of Christ, 1989. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2022) 'Exegesis: Word Study: “Israel” in Galatians 6:16'. 20 February.

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IvyPanda. 2022. "Exegesis: Word Study: “Israel” in Galatians 6:16." February 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/exegesis-word-study-israel-in-galatians-616/.

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IvyPanda. "Exegesis: Word Study: “Israel” in Galatians 6:16." February 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/exegesis-word-study-israel-in-galatians-616/.

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