Quote:
Originally Posted by UntoHim
What does the purpose for Paul's letter to the Galatians have to do with this thread? Does the word oikonomía even appear in Galatians? If so, in what context?
Let's keep our eye on the ball. The ball is God's Economy.
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I was going to say the same thing. The topic is, What is God's economy? I gave my summation of WL's take, which was to be filled in spirit with the mingled Spirit of God, to be metabolically transformed inwardly to become [the same as] God in life and nature.
Now that may be a noble and fine thing indeed, and we can of course offer Bible verses, but where does Paul say that this is God's economy? Nowhere is where. I've also made the point, and haven't yet seen a reply from Shepherding Words, that it seems odd to think that Paul asked Timothy for 'intensification' to be taught to facilitate God's economy, since there's no record whatsoever that Paul ever taught intensification. So how then do they say, "God's economy is carried out in 3 stages"? Whatever is carried out in 3 stages, it isn't what Paul was writing about.
No, the "God's economy" of WL was a hodge-podge, an amalgam of disparate verses, some unrelated to Paul[!], read back onto the scripture. I've gone into this already.
My proposed alternative was that Paul's view of "oikonomea theou" was best seen in his second epistle to the Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9. There, he goes into some detail about how the gentile churches can share with feeding the poor widows of Jerusalem (cf Acts 6:1). The verse which seems to sum it up best is, "He who gathers much has no excess, he who gathers little has no lack." (2 Cor 8:15). In this nod to the Exodus journey, the Great Commandment is fulfilled - we should love one another not merely in word but in deed, in generosity.
(And I can't overstress that if reading James' epistle in this light confirms that James and Paul shared the same vision. This is probably the most crucial benefit of this interpretation: the NT becomes whole. [I remember reading that Luther wanted to exclude James from the canon, along with Tobit and Maccabees, but was convinced to include it, yet only
after Revelation!])
Now, how does Galatians fit into my proposed reading? I daresay the climax of Galatians isn't the confrontation between Paul and Peter in Antioch. It occurs right before that, when Peter, James and John tell Paul, "Remember the poor", and Paul readily accedes. Paul was sharing this vignette with the Galatians to make them understand the core of his mission. The gentiles were now grafted into the body of believers, as full members, not associate members. Ephesians 2:11-21 has probably the clearest explanation of Paul's view, but it applies here: the Galatians were once cut off, alienated from the hope of Israel, but now have been brought nigh by the blood of Christ. The two, gentile and Jew, are now one in Christ Jesus. It's a remarkable vision, which I believe is the capstone of Paul's written ministry. The two have become one. Paul has been given the ministry of reconciliation, and the enmity, the dividing wall is gone. It is truly a revelation from God.
Now, what to do? Circumcision, dietary laws, observing days and feasts, Sabbath remembrances? No, faith in Jesus Christ. And, "lay up something for my return to Jerusalem", as he writes to all the churches. The offering to the apostle, to bring to the poor of Jerusalem, unites the gentile and the Jew in fact, in deed, just as the gospel going out from Jerusalem "to the uttermost parts of the earth" brought the hope of salvation out to a darkened world. Paul's eventual return to Jerusalem with "alms for my nation" would complete the circle.
So the request in Galatians 2:10, "Remember the poor" from the pillars of Jerusalem, and Paul's "eager assent" were to show the Galatians where they fit into the picture - not with converting to Judaism, but as obedient gentiles to the gospel, and participants in that very gospel by helping the poor of Jerusalem. Look at how Paul writes chapter 7, how the Corinthians had repented and received Titus with "trembling obedience" (v14,15)! Now they were ready for Paul's message of sharing, in chapters 8 and 9. He is glad for their repentance, and now wants to see some fruits, some issue.
For confirmation, see Romans 15:25-31, and 1 Cor 16:1,2, which I'll quote in full, as it's relevant to this post: "Now about the collection for the saints,
you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed." Paul consistently delivered one message, of the crucified and risen Christ, and the discipleship and obedience of all nations in his name. The gatherings of the offerings of the far-flung churches were central to this mission, and united believing Jew and Greek.