 |  |
The three items are prefaced by the emphatic pronoun "ego":
"Behold, I Paul, I say to you."
The remainder of the argument is prefaced by the emphatic pronoun Hemeis "we".
"We", however, "we are waiting, in Spirit, for the hope of righteousness by faith".
This statement is followed by three observations:
(1)
That in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision, but
faith that worketh by love.
(2)
That they had run well, but someone has hindered them, and this persuasion did not
come from him that called them.
(3)
This hindering influence is likened to a little leaven, which leavens the whole lump.
The structure of this passage is as follows:
A | 5: 2. I (emphatic pronoun) Paul say unto you.
B | 2, 3. Circumcision and the "whole" law. |
a | If circumcised.
\ Negative.
b | Christ profits nothing. /
a | Every man who is circumcised.
\ Positive.
b | Debtor . . . whole law.
/
C | 4-5. Grace and Faith. |
c | Christ--none effect.
\ Negative.
d | Justified by law.
/
c | Spirit . . . hope . . .
\ Positive.
d | Righteousness by faith. /
B | 6-9. Circumcision and the "whole" lump leavened. |
a1 | In Christ Jesus.
b1 | Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision.
b1 | But faith.
a1 | In-working by love.
a2 | Ye did run well.
b2 | Who hindered?
a2 | This persuasion.
b2 | The little leaven.
A | 10. I (emphatic pronoun) have confidence in you.
When the Apostle would impress his hearers with the solemnity or importance of his
message, he occasionally used the expression "I Paul" or "of me Paul". With such a
writer and dealing as he was with such truth, none of these features should be lightly
regarded. Accordingly we observe that the phrase `I Paul' is used by him as follows:
"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (II Cor. 10: 1).