ABSTRACT
The subject of this last substantive chapter of my reading is Gal. 4.21–6.10. It is not usual, however, to consider this section of the letter as demonstrating any particular unity. In his outline of the letter on the basis of strict rhetorical theory, for example, Betz describes 3.1–4.31 as forming the probatio or statement of proof, while 5.1–6.10 constitute the exhortation (1975, 1979), so that, given this view, the section I have chosen awkwardly straddles two parts of the text which are quite different in function. Nevertheless, I have previously suggested that too formulaic a reading of the rhetoric in Galatians, or any other letter, is unjustified, even though it is reasonable to assume that Paul had a general interest in using the persuasive techniques of rhetoric to achieve his ends. Moreover, there is always a measure of artificiality in any structural division of a Pauline letter. Similarly, although it is certainly possible to regard 4.21–31 as a passage in which Paul seeks to reinforce his previous argument (Bruce 1982c: 214; Dunn 1993: 243), we cannot ignore the extent to which it paves the way for the treatment of freedom from 5.2 onward. It may, accordingly, be treated, as it is here, as a prelude to what follows rather than as rounding off the earlier discussion.
