Prominence and Markedness in New Testament Discourse 17 Paul begins by making prominent γνωρίζω (“I make known”), and in the rest of vv. 11–12, explains to the Galatians that the gospel he received was not from others, neither was he taught it by another, but it was received directly as a revelation from God. Aside from the opening verb, which highlights his intention in this discourse, this is all background material so far. The first deviation from the aorist tense-form (aside from the first verb in v. 11) occurs in v. 13, with the words ἐδίωκον and ἐπόρθουν in the imperfect tense-form (imperfective aspect). At this point, Paul discusses his former life in Judaism, how he used to persecute the church and tried to destroy it. He continues with the imperfect tense-form in v. 14, with προέκοπτον, talking about how he was advancing in Judaism rising above his own peers, and how zealous he was for the traditions. All this is foreground material, as Paul discusses his place in his former life as a zealous and devout Jew. Paul returns to the aorist tense-form (perfective aspect) in vv. 15–16a, with the use of the verbs εὐδόκησεν, ὁ ἀφορίσας, [ὁ] καλέσας, and ἀποκαλύψαι. In these verses, Paul talks about how God had set him apart from birth, that he had called him by his grace, and was pleased to reveal to him Jesus. Again, this is all background material, leading up to what seems like Paul’s emphasis here: in v. 16b, Paul uses a present tense-form (imperfective aspect), εὐαγγελίζωμαι, also in the subjunctive mood. We noted above that the subjunctive mood, a non-indicative mood-form, is more marked than indicatives (which have been predominant so far). We will return to the significance of the subjunctive in a moment. But after having emphasized his former way of life in Judaism, then going back to background material about being set apart and called by God68, he foregrounds the purpose of his being called: that Paul may preach him among the nations. The present tense-form is slightly more marked than the imperfect tense-form, so that Paul is concerned with emphasizing the preaching of the gospel over the background events of his travels. The subjunctive, being more marked than the indicative, also adds to the prominence of εὐαγγελίζωμαι. So God’s purpose in calling Paul to preach is foreground material in this discourse as well. Paul returns to background material in v. 17, with the use of ἀνῆλθον, ἀπῆλθον, and ὑπέστρεψα. Paul places his travels as background material, having gone to Arabia and Damascus and having avoided Jerusalem. These facts are not points of emphasis in Paul’s narrative, but serve to fill in the necessary details to move the story along. 68 Of course, being background material does not mean this is unimportant, but that for purposes of the writer/speaker, it is not the main emphasis of this discourse.