Curse Motifs in Galatians: An Investigation into Paul’s Rhetorical Strategies

Paul’s complex argumentation for dissuading the Galatians from the demand of circumcision is to be understood in light of ancient (both Jewish and pagan ) rhetorical strategies that were commonly employed in agonistic discourse. Seon Yong Kim shows how Paul inevitably yet ingeniously adopted the curse themes, including a thoroughly negative picture of the Jewish law ( curse of the law ) in order to agitate the mind and emotions of the Galatians and thereby dissuade them from the demand of circumcision. Because playing on the audience’s fear was considered one of the most powerful tools for persuasion in ancient rhetoric, his contention was tailored and contextualized to become a shot aimed at agitating the pathos of his audience. Harnessing their fear of curses and their (former) religious formalism, Paul’s intention was to win the minds of his audience from the grip of his opponents, who enjoyed a far better argumentative position.