G.K. Beale, «Peace and Mercy Upon the Israel of God. The Old Testament Background of Galatians 6,16b», Vol. 80 (1999) 204-223

This essay has contended that Paul’s reference to "new creation" and the pronouncement of "peace and mercy" on the readers in Gal 6,15-16 is best understood against the background of Isa 54,10 and the surrounding context of similar new creation themes elsewhere in Isa 32–66, which are echoed also earlier in Galatians, especially in 5,22-26. The analysis confirms those prior studies which have concluded that "the Israel of God" refers to all Christians in Galatia, whether Jewish or Christian. Lastly, the demonstration of an Isaianic background for the concept of new creation in Gal 6,15-16 falls in line with Paul’s other reference to "new creation" in 2 Cor 5,17 and John’s allusion to new creation in Rev 3,14, where Isa 43 and 65–66 stand behind both passages. Isa 54,10 was likely not the sole influence on Gal 6,16, but such texts as Psalm 84 (LXX), the Qumran Hymn Scroll (1QH 13,5), and Jub 22,9 may have formed a collective impression on Paul, with the Isaiah text most in focus; alternatively, the texts in Qumran and Jubilees may be mere examples of a similar use of Isaiah 54 on a parallel trajectory with that of Paul’s in Galatians 6.

of these observations, Jub 22,9 may be an echo of Isa 54,10, or it may have been part of the same orbit of unique ideas, which formed part of the background for Galatians 6.

        It has become clear that the "peace" and "mercy" of Isa 54,10b stands in the middle of a depiction of the future new creation. That Isa 54,11-12 describes conditions of a new creation is apparent further from the fact that these verses are alluded to in Rev 21,18-19.21 to describe the bejewelled "foundation stones of the city wall", part of the portrayal there of the "new heaven and a new earth" (Rev 21,1)²⁹. Indeed, Revelation 21 and Galatians 4,25-31/6,15-16 have the following significant themes in common:

        (1) The image of end-time Jerusalem as a woman who is associated with heaven;

        (2) the precious stones of the city in Isaiah 54 are portrayed as part of an immovable fortress (in contrast to Israel formerly being "storm-tossed") and primarily used as a metaphor for the permanent peace which the people inhabiting the latter-day Jerusalem will experience, since 54,11-12 is introduced in 54,10b by the idea of "peace" and concluded with it in 54,13 ("the peace of your sons will be great"). This theme is found in both Gal 6,16 and Revelation 21: in line with Isa 54,11-12, the precious stones, together with the foundation, wall, and gates of the city in Revelation 21 are best seen to symbolize the permanent safety and peace³⁰ of God’s people together with God’s glorious presence (e.g., 21,2-4.10-11.18-23).