Much of the New Testament, especially Paul’s epistles, uses the method of argument to teach. Argument is a style that probes the mind by facts, reason, and questions to draw out one’s thinking. When a writer such as Paul the apostle uses argument, for a correct interpretation it is vital to know what the writer is arguing. In other words, why is the writer writing what he writes? What is he trying to prove? Before we use his words to buttress other doctrines (a method which can have its place), we must ask what is he proving or revealing? When the argument style is used, look for the question the writer asks and then answers to discover the truth he is teaching.
For example, the teaching in Romans 7:7-8:4 is answering a question: “Is the law sin?” (7:7), part of a larger argument concerning why the Christian life operates by grace through the Spirit, not by law (6 & 7:6). The writer’s words are meant to answer that question and not necessarily to prove every other doctrine. Find the interpretation first before attempting to apply it.
We will use the book of Galatians as a model of the argument style. In defending the one true gospel of God, Paul uses 7 types of arguments to establish truth. To take one of these at the expense of the others can be dangerous. Let’s briefly consider them.
The Argument of Apostolic Church History: In Galatians 1, Paul appeals to the historical activity which occurred between his ministry and the original 12 apostles to show that the gospel he preached did not come from a human source but was divine. Therefore, it is unchangeable. What God’s appointed apostles did and taught has bearing on the church.
The Argument of Reason: In verses such as 2:21, 3:5, 4:9, and 5:3, Paul appeals to the mind through reason, sometimes using the question form. He wants his readers to think, and to think things through to their logical conclusions. Whether it be truth or error, following something through to its conclusion can expose it as right or wrong. For example, he says that “if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (2:21). He is forcing the mind to call into question if indeed we could work our way to heaven by our own merit. The logical conclusion of such erroneous thinking is that if we are saved by our works the death of the Son of God was useless and a blunder .
The Argument of Experience: In 3:1-4, 4:15, and other passages, Paul appeals to the logic of the Galatians’ own experience. In chapter 3, he asks them to remember how they received the Spirit of God in their hearts. Was it on the basis of law keeping or faith? Their answer, proven by their own experience, would be faith. He uses that fact to show we continue the Christian life the same way we began; faith. However, his arguing is not done, for none of the first three types of argument is conclusive since they each contain a subjective element.
The Argument of Scripture: The middle style of argument and nucleus is the Scripture, in this case from the Old Testament. In chapter 3:6-16, he states seven Scriptures to prove that God Himself taught justification by faith alone. This is an objective argument, resting on something apart from experience–God’s Word.
The Argument of Analogy: In passages such as 3:15 and 4:1-2, Paul continues to appeal to the mind by using examples from life they can identify with. In 3:15, he uses the fact that when certain wills or covenants have been finalized, they can’t be added to or set aside. Likewise, God’s promises to Abraham and his “seed”, by faith alone cannot be added to by law or disannulled by it. Analogies are good, but should never be used to form truth. They are only suitable to illustrate it. Paul’s use of analogy after using Scripture is not accidental.
The Argument of Typology: In 4:21-31, Paul uses an Old Testament story that pictures the truth of justification by faith. He shows that Ishmael, who was born of a slave girl by human efforts (flesh), was not allowed by God to live in the same tent (and be an heir) with Isaac who was born of a freedwoman by God’s promise and power. Thus he pictures visually this truth: obtaining the inheritance in Christ is not a mix of grace (what God does for man) and law (what man does for God), but grace alone. Like analogy, typology is not used to form truth but to further establish it.
The Argument of Exposing the False: In passages such as 4:17, 5:10, and 6:12-13, Paul actually attacks false teachers by exposing the error of their motives and teaching (some call this bashing!). This is legitimate, but notice he doesn’t use only this style, and that he saves it for near the end, after he has firmly established the truth of Scripture. In 6:12, he shows that legalism is popular because it feeds the proponents’ pride in human ability. It is not Christ in which they are glorying, but self. This is meant to distance the believers from such teachers for their welfare.
By these devices the New Testament writers winsomely convince us of scriptural truth and win our hearts and minds to the truth in Jesus.