믿음과 율법

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This article examines Paul's teaching on justification in Galatians with the specific intention of answering the question, Why faith is the proper ground of justification and the Law is not? Answering this question, this study makes the following four points.
First, unlike in Romans, justification in Galatians is not something already realized, either partially or fully, but a future hope still to be awaited, the hope of righteousness. Thus, the theological debate between Paul and the Agitators which underlies the former's engagement with the Galatians revolves around the question, how to attain to the hope of righteousness: by faith or by works of law?
Secondly, behind Paul's promotion of faith as the only way to justification lies the fact that only faith, not works of the law, can channel the gift of the Spirit. Paul consistently relates faith with the Spirit, thereby making it clear that faith justifies because it can mediate the Spirit to those who believe.
Thirdly, the Spirit is the key to the hope of righteousness. The Spirit is not the evidence of present justification as is widely claimed but the means of reaching the hope of future justification. The Spirit provides the only way to future justification because it enables believers to maintain the mode of life which befits those who will receive the eagerly awaited justification.
Finally, Paul's critique of the Law similarly aims at its inability to mediate the work of the Spirit, its inability to give life. Because of its inability to solve the evil desires which produce works of the Flesh, it cannot rescue people out of the cycle of life which will end up with corruption. This interpretation fits nicely with Paul's criticism of the Agitators for their promoting circumcision without actual observance of the Law.