Saving Face (Εὐπροσωπέω): Concern for Honour in the Argument of Galatians

The importance of Galatians 6.12-18 has been well-attested in Pauline scholarship since Betz’ 1979 commentary. Yet most have failed to make more than passing reference to Paul’s objection that his opponents are motivated by a concern for reputation (εὐπροσωπέω – 6.12). Recent interpreters, Winter (1994) and Hardin (2008), have considered this term in its Roman legal context without particularly affecting the interpretation of the epistle. However, social-scientific readings of the New Testament (Malina 1983), including Galatians (Esler (1998), Nanos (2001)), have highlighted the overt role that competition for honour played in face-to-face cultures such as the ancient Mediterranean. This paper will consider the interpretive possibilities created by using an honour model to argue for the importance of εὐπροσωπέω to both this passage and a coherent reading of the letter. This approach will highlight how Paul has juxtaposed his opponents’ concern for reputation against God’s disregard for reputation (2:6) as a method of theologically and morally defining the social norms of the Galatian church. The paper will conclude by supporting continued consideration of honour concerns in the Pauline literature, even when not immediately apparent to interpreters.