We have considered the first part of Paul's argument with Peter upon the defection of

the latter at Antioch, and reach the point where Paul gives his own personal testimony to

clinch the matter and place it beyond dispute.

How Paul died both "through" law and "to" law is not stated in so many words, but

the subject is most evidently continued and expanded in the subsequent verse, which we

now proceed to examine.

In the first place, let us attempt a more literal translation of this passage in order that

we may build on a good foundation. The apostle is most evidently moved by the

solemnity of his subject when he penned these words, for he throws them into a form,

named Epanadiplosis on Encircling, thereby giving completeness to the statement, and

suggesting by the opening and closing members of the circle the most important feature.

This is how the passage appears to the Greek reader:

In the next place we must draw attention to the verb "to be crucified with". In the

A.V. it is cast in the present tense "I am crucified with Christ", whereas the original uses

the perfect tense "I have been crucified with Christ".

There are three primary modes of indicating time--present, past, and future--and any

action can only be regarded as having happened in one or the other of these three modes.

Moreover every action may be (1) finished or perfect, (2) going on, or unfinished and

imperfect, and (3) indefinite.

The verb sunestauromai is in the perfect or finished tense, and should be translated

"I have been crucified with". The thing has been done, gloriously, blessedly, finished,

and the perfect or finished tense together with the Epanadiplosis of the title "Christ" is no

small part of the apostle's conclusive argument.

Alford punctuates the passage thus: