LE3 .A278 2017

2017

Zacharias, H. Daniel

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Theology

Acadia Divinity College

This study examines Paul’s “walking” metaphor as expressed by περιπατέω in Gal 5:16. The physical basis of this figurative extension is shown to be the act of movement by the motion of stepping either as unmarked for departure or destination or as marked against them. Paul is using περιπατέω to express the active, ongoing, mundane process of living rather than depicting life as a journey. This is a neutral term for going about human life and thus needs further qualification be the key thematic ethical marker as Paul uses it. It is demonstrated that the use of this verb is the same across the Pauline corpus. This thesis argues that the background for the metaphor is the literal-for-figurative use of περιπατέω that is common to both Jewish and Greco-Roman literature. An application of these findings to Gal 5:16 shows that Paul is calling the Galatians to go about their lives by the empowering presence of the Spirit, although the issue of exactly how this can be done is not overtly addressed

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2145