L’amour de soi dans le contexte de la nouvelle créature. 
Une lecture synchronique d’inspiration narrative de Ga 5,1-17 
(et, en partie, de Ga 2,19-21; 5,18-6,10 et 6,15)
What is « Biblical » self-love? Is it an absolute or a utopia, or is it narcissism, even a sin of selfishness ...? Is it a concept that evolved during the « progression » of the people of God, from alliance (s) to alliance? Can one speak of self-love when we analyze, in its context, the following statement: « [...] love your neighbor as yourself (Lv 19,18) »? This statement is often repeated at the center of several New Testament writings, particularly in the Synoptic Gospels (Mt 19,19 and 22,39; Mk 12,31; Lk 10,27), Paul's letters (Rom 13,9 and Ga 5,14) and the letter of James (2,8). This research is essentially limited to a synchronic reading of verses 5, 1–6, 10 of Galatians. This reading is inspired by a modified Culpepper model, on communication in a narrative, that excludes the real author and the real reader. This reading begins with the conclusion at the end of Galatians: «For what is important, is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, it is a new creature» (Gal 6,15). The key to interpreting this reading is this            « new creature», a fundamental concept within the whole of the « narrato-preaching ». Paul, an implicit author and a « narrato-preacher », presents many stories (Paul, Jesus, Galatians, Israel ...), often in disorder, to the implicit readers and the « narrato-preached ». The main story exposed is that of the Galatians who, in the initial situation of the quinary plan, seem to be diverted from the one good gospel (1,6) and the truth (5,7) and who, in the final situation, are lead to become a new creature filled with a love of the neighbor and of oneself, thus seeking the good of both (ἀλλήλων: 5,13.15.26 and 6,2). This final situation is characterized by a love in action that the narrato-preacher compares metaphorically to a walk (5,16.25) in the freedom of the Spirit of Jesus Christ and, ideally, to a race without relent (2,2 and 5,7.9). For this final situation to be feasible, a prior denouement must take place. Indeed, the Galatian must, a priori, choose individually what is good for him and, consequently, take advantage of Christ (5,2) by standing up (5,1). Thus, by persuasion (5,8), faith (5,6) and grace (5,4), the former « self » of Galatians must die (2:20) and (re) become a « living » new creature (2.19-20, 5.6.25) filled with the love of Christ, a self-giving love. The denouement and the final situation in Galatians, using concentrism and / or chiasm, presents an obedience to the good gospel in the form of a race in love (in a collectivity, of ourselves and others) preceded by a walk (6,1-10) which is possible after the choice to become a new living « self » (standing-self-giving love), obedient (5, 7) to the truth and diverted from circumcision, law, flesh ...
Culpepper New creature Self-love Synchronic reading Predication Stand Life Walk Race Interdependence Concentrism Chiasm Leviticus 19,18