Vivid Imagery in Galatians 3:1—Roman Rhetoric, Street Announcing, Graffiti, and Crucifixions

In Galatians 3:1, Paul makes a striking statement: “It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified.” The meaning of Paul's assertion is debated, since it is unlikely that any of his Galatian audience had been eyewitnesses to Jesus’ crucifixion. A number of elements need to be brought together to shed light on Paul's statement. Issues from the Roman world (rhetoric, street announcing, graffiti, and how crucifixions were conducted) shed light on other statements of Paul. Paul saw his preaching on Christ's crucifixion as more than a message—he wanted it to be an experience, a re-presentation of the event. The thesis is that Paul intended his audience to witness or experience Christ's crucifixion as he vividly portrayed it to them, so that it would be memorable for them and they would stay committed to Paul's teachings.