Galatians: Imagery and Symbolism
Target year level: Year Five, Year Eight
Scripture text
Due to the length of this passage, please refer to Bible Gateway for the full text of the Book of Galatians (Galatians 1:1 – 6:18)
World of the text
In examining the imagery and symbolism in the Letter to the Galatians, questions such as the following are helpful:
- What types of vocabulary does the author use in particular sections of the text and why?
- How are devices such as metaphor, simile, imagery, personification, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, alliteration, assonance and repetition used?
- How do these devices reinforce the message and meaning in the letter?
Paul uses the language of personification, for example, to reinforce his theological arguments in 3:1- 29. Faith, justification, blessing, promise and inheritance are theological concepts personified in Abraham, as well as the descendants of Abraham. Christ Jesus personifies the Spirit reaching out not only to Jews, but to pagan Gentiles as well. In 4:21-31 Hagar and Sarah personify two covenants referred to by Paul. Hagar the slave girl personifies a view of the covenant that enslaves, since it enslaves rather than frees. Sarah and her son Isaac, on the other hand, personify a view of the covenant that liberates. Throughout the letter, Christ is personified as the authentic embodiment of freedom, the inheritor of the covenant promise to Abraham and the spiritual child of Sarah, the free- born wife.
Paul uses vivid imagery to persuade and to reinforce his argument. Thus, Paul has been chosen “while still in my mother’s womb.” (1:15) Paul opposes Cephas (Peter) “to his face.” (2:11) Paul sees the people of Galatia as “mad and under a spell.”(3:1) In Galatians, Paul speaks of the “curse of the Law.” (3:13) Sin is characterised as being “master everywhere.” Law is personified as a “guardian and administrator,” charged with looking after children until they reach their majority. (4:1-2) The Galatians are exhorted by Paul not to again submit to the “yoke of slavery.” (5:1)
In striking metaphors, Paul speaks of “belonging to Christ”, “one in Christ Jesus”, “clothing the self in Christ” and “heirs of the promise” (3:27-29). Paul evokes the pain of “giving birth to the Galatians all over again” until Christ is formed in them. (4:19) In recalling their former loyalty, Paul characterises the Galatians as being ready to “pluck out your eyes and give them to me.” (4:15) A further vivid metaphor and recollection is embodied in the metaphor “You began your race well.” (5:7) In characterising the malign influence of the Judaizers in the Galatian churches, Paul evokes the metaphor “The yeast seems to be spreading through the whole batch of you.” (5:9)
It is useful to reflect on the vocabulary that Paul uses to expand upon, argue and persuade towards key themes such as the Law, justification, faith, promise, liberty and love. For example, phrases associated with the Law such as “dead to the Law so that I can live for God”; “ending in outward observances” (3:3); “working miracles because you practice the Law, or because you believed what was preached to you”, reveal something of the complexity and the contrasts in Paul’s thinking with regard to the Law in the context of the Galatian churches.