The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

early in the introduction Paul mentions the Cross and the age in which he lives but says nothing about the necessity of human faith in the Cross. The Introduction (Exordium) 1: 6-11 205 In this introductory section in which Paul bypasses his normal greeting in order to get to the important issue at hand, he immediately identifies a critical contrast between the gospel of Christ and a different gospel (1:6-9). Paul does not describe the "other" gospel here but warns that those who propose it will be under the curse. Although it is possible that Paul refers to human responses he nowhere in the context gives a clue that he is speaking of a contrast between human faith and works. Rather it appears that he is rather referring to two different messages which can be received. One message is the "good news of Christ " (To Euayy€ALov ToO XplaToO, 1:7) and the other is a "gospel" which leads to cursing much like the Law ('.~.10). If Paul's elaboration in the rest of the epistle is an elaboration of this introduction then we would expect him to speak of messages which are received rather than responses which are made . The Statement of Facts (Narratio) l :12-2: 14 True to rhetorical form, Paul next narrates hi torical fact which are critical to hi argument. The purpose of thi ection i to introduce the ubject matter on which he wi he to be judged. 166 Paul , thu retell three torie which upport hi n p r onal hi tory and call, the deci ion ab ut Titu , and th onfli t with P t r at nti h . P ul' b 1c th t hi tartans ,