My theory of the present imperative is supported by the above verses, and by a comprehensive study of the letter to the Galatians.
There are ten present imperatives in Galatians, translated as follows:
Gal 5:1 Keep on standing in the freedom and stop being held in the yoke of slavery. These are truly schizophrenic Christians.
5:13 Through love keep on serving one another.
5:15, always watch out that you do not be consumed.
5:16, keep on/always walking by the Spirit.
6:1 keep on restoring trespassers in a spirit of gentleness.
6:2 keep on bearing the burdens of others
6:4 everyone must keep on testing their own work.
6:6 let each one who is instructed keep on sharing with the one who instructs.
6:7 stop being deceived
6:17 let each one stop troubling me
I make the point at the beginning, that these are truly schizophrenic Christians, both standing in their freedom while being held in the yoke of slavery.
I think a better description, however, is that the church in Galatia held both Christians who were walking by the Spirit and Christians who were falling into legalism.
These two groups implied by the present imperatives, are overtly described in places like Galatians 6:1-5. One group is caught in transgressions, and the other group is walking by the Spirit. This contrast is overtly stated in Galatians 3–those who started by the Spirit (and are continuing in the Spirit) and those who started by the Spirit but are continuing in the flesh.
So also this idea of two groups of Christians is supported by the discussion of pursuing righteousness by the law and receiving righteousness by a promise through faith (see Gal 3:15-39). So also, the idea of two groups of Christians is supported by the metaphor of the free and slave women (see Gal 4:1-7, 21-5:1).
Again, my theory about the present imperative is that in the present imperative the author is addressing what he believes (assumes or knows) what the readers are presently doing. Thus, there are some continuing by the Spirit and some that are trying to earn righteousness by the works of the law like circumcision.
A more complete statement of the assumptions/knowledge which Paul had about the Galatians follows:
The Galatian Christians have been doing well, and some continue to do well, but others are now trapped in legalism. Some have been serving each other, but others need to watch out because their lack of loving service will end up harming themselves. Those who have not fallen into legalism must keep on walking by the Spirit. Those who have been successfully following Christ need to keep on restoring those who have failed, knowing that all will reap what they sew. And those who are questioning Paul’s authority must stop, because Paul is one of those who are victorious by faith.
Note that much of Galatians chapters 1 and 2 is Paul defending himself, thus again the content of the letter supporting the assumption of the present imperative. Such collaboration between the overt statements of the letter and the assumptions of the present imperative indicates my theory about the present imperative is sound.
#GreekBible#KoineGreek#VerbalAspect#Galatians#New Testament Greek
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