The pauline protomariology

“Born of woman” (Gal 4,4-5)

Abstract

This article makes a mariological analysis of Galatians 4:4-5 and seeks to highlight their contributions to the foundation of the christian faith. The oldest biblical reference to Jesus’ mother is found in Gal 4:4-5. The “apostle of the gentiles” (Rom 11:13) refers to Mary of Nazareth in the context of the incarnation of Son of God, without mentioning her name. The pauline expression “born of woman” (Gal 4:4) refers to the precarious and fragile human condition assumed by the Son of God. The expression “born under the law” (Gal 4:4) indicates Jesus’ ethnic origin. He is the son of a jewish woman. Galatians 4:4-5 served as the basis for future mariological elaborations. The Church Fathers resort to this pauline reference to answer to gnostic currents and nestorianism. The Letter to the Galatians indicates Mary’s divine motherhood and her collaboration in the history of salvation indirectly. Paul’s mariology is quite sober and strictly christocentric. The analysis of this protomariology leads to the rediscovery of the first foundations of biblical and systematic mariology. Initially, the article deals with the mystery of the incarnation in the corpus paulinum and analyzes the chiastic structure of Gal 4:4-5. Then, it delves into the expressions “born of woman” and “born under the law” and highlights the importance of Galatians as an early response to docetism and nestorianism. Finally, it suggests in Paul an elementary biblical mariology.