MNEMONIC REFERENCE TO THE SPIRIT AS A PERSUASIVE TOOL (Galatians 3:1-6 within the argument, 3:1-4:11)

In this part of the argumentatio section of the letter, the author by means of a sudden emotional outburst — not devoid of logic though, employs all kinds of persuasive strategy not only to resolve the issue about the validity of his gospel, but also to allay a situation of exigence in which the readers found themselves, due to being persuaded to not only doubt the veracity of the message first heard, but to actually accept identity markers of Judaism, the Torah and circumcision, and thereby denying the foundation of their Christian faith. The apostle cogently reminds them of their undeniable experience of the Spirit which came as a result of their trust in Christ, and not as a result of any effort on their part. In this he uses all kinds of contemporary strategies. His argument about the Spirit supplies them with 'empirical' proof of their present status. This experience is even analogous to the exemplum of Abraham, therefore they are both sons of Abraham and of God.