The aim of this study is to determine how the metaphor 'being crucified with Christ
influences the ethics in Paul's letters. The approach is exegetical.
The first purpose was to construct the socio-historical context of the phrase 'being
crucified with Christ'. The cross, the modes of crucifixion and the phrase "with" are
studied from a socio-historical perspective. It became clear that the cross was reserved
as punishment for the lowest classes and the worst criminals. The cross was one of the
cruellest and inhuman ways to kill someone. The shame and pain that accompany it was
too much to bear. Any person in those times who heard they must be crucified with
Jesus, would have been shocked to the core.
Detailed exegesis has been done of two Scripture passages. Romans 6:1-14 and
Galatians 2: 15-21. The two portions contain the phrase “being crucified with Christ”.
The grammatical-historical method of exegesis has been used in the research.
The phrase "being crucified with Christ” has then been studied against the background
of the whole New Testament, using Scripture to enlighten Scripture, so as to establish
the revelation historical development in the Bible. The phrase “being crucified with
Christ” has also been studied in the light of the reformed confessions. It has been
established that the rest of the scriptural revelation of God and the reformed confessions support the results of the exegesis.
The influence of the phrase “being crucified with Christ” on the ethics of Paul has then
been established. Three analytical categories were used, namely identity, ethics and
ethos. It became clear that the fact that the believer died with Christ should have a great
effect on the lie of the believer. His lie can never be the same again. Because God has
liberated the believer from the power of sin, the believer should transfer all his allegiance to the one who has set him free. The believer is dead to sin and alive to God. He is no longer a slave to sin.
The last chapter explored how these ethical implications of the phrase “being crucified
with Christ” should be actualized in the life of the believer. It became clear that by faith
the believer lives the new lie, with Christ actually living in him. Through his union with
Christ, the believer undergoes transformation that should cause him to walk in newness
of life. The Holy Spirit is at work through faith and the fruit of the Spirit should be
manifest in the lie of the believer.
The fact that the believer has been “crucified with Christ” is a metaphor that Paul uses to shock the believer to the realization that the new life in Christ has a complete impact on every area of the his lie. / Thesis (M.Th. (New Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1339 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Malan, Jacob Petrus |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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