The Style of Galatians 515 metaphorical use of crucifixion is closely related to the metaphor of freedom v. slavery, which in turn is connected with the metaphor of the family of God. To a great extent Paul argues that the Galatians should not keep the Jewish law by arguing that to do so is to return to slavery after having been set free, and to return to the slave-like condition of a minor child after reaching maturity. Paradoxically, this condition of freedom has resulted from crucifixion with Christ, i.e., suffering along with him a form of death especially associated with slaves, and can be called slavery to Christ and to other Christians (42). In Galatians Paul does not explain why he considers this slavery true freedom (43). Thus Paul makes his argument in Galatians (in part) by elaborating some conventional metaphors. A striking exception is his use of the metaphor of crucifixion with Christ. In his other letters Paul often says in various ways that Christians have died with Christ. However, he does not generally specify this as crucifixion with Christ; the one other instance of this is Rom 6,6. In Galatians he speaks of crucifixion with Christ in three different passages. A striking development of the family of God metaphor is Paul’s presentation of himself as the mother of the Galatians who is in labor with them a second time so that Christ may be formed in them. This is a powerful image of the Galatians’ perversity. Having been born in Christ, they have crawled back into the womb and must be born again if they are to reach the goal of their existence. It is also a powerful and surprising image of Paul’s role in countering the Galatians’ perversity. He is their mother who has already brought them to birth once and is doing so again as he tries to dissuade them from taking on the yoke of the law. And finally it is a powerful expression of Paul’s understanding of faith in Christ as a matter of union with Christ. To believe in Christ is to undergo a new birth in which Christ is formed in the believer (44). (42) On Paul’s use of the slave metaphor in this positive sense, see COMBES, Metaphor of Slavery, 77-94; TSANG, From Slaves to Sons, 70-80. Combes argues that Paul uses the slave metaphor in this way because he sees Christians as united with the crucified and risen Christ. (43) For an explanation see R. BULTMANN, Theology of the New Testament (New York 1951) I, 331-332. (44) On this passage see CALLAN, Psychological Perspectives, 86-87; B.R. GAVENTA, “The Maternity of Paul: An Exegetical Study of Galatians 4:19”, The Conversation Continues. Studies in Paul and John. In Honor of J. Louis Martyn (eds. R.T. FORTNA – B.R. GAVENTA) (Nashville 1990) 189-201, reprinted in B.R. GAVENTA Our Mother Saint Paul (Louisville, KY 2007) 29-40; WILLIAMS, Paul’s Metaphors, 56-57.