Let me ask (literally “tell me”) signals the change in tone from the preceding section. It is still direct, but now it is less affectionate and more formal. The abruptness of the expression shows that the idea that Paul is about to present had just occurred to him. Let me ask should not be interpreted as requesting permission; rather it is equivalent to “I want to ask a question of those…,” or “I want to pose a question to those of you….”

Paul is probably not addressing all his readers but only those who want to be subject to the Law. This statement suggests that not all the Galatians have succumbed to the false teachers, but that many have shown by their actions that they desire to be under the Law and are about to adopt the principles and practices which the Law provides. The phrase subject to the Law is literally “under law” and clearly means being obliged to do what the Law requires in order to win God’s approval. In the Greek, “law” does not have an article, and accordingly it is suggested by some commentaries that it means law in general rather than the Jewish Law. It is clear, however, that Paul had in mind the Jewish Law, as this was what the false teachers were presenting to the Galatians. Who want to be subject to the Law may often be rendered simply as “who want to be under obligation to obey what the Law says,” or “who want to be controlled by what the Law says.” Note, however, that in this passage as well as in a great many others, it may be necessary to specify that this is “the Law of Moses,” “the laws of Moses,” or “the laws given by means of Moses.”

In the question do you not hear what the Law says?, some commentaries see a touch of irony: “you want so much to be subject to the Law, so why don’t you listen more carefully to what the Law says?” This is reflected in some translations (Jerusalem Bible “you want to be subject to the Law? Then listen to what the Law says”; New English Bible “tell me … will you not listen to what the Law says?”). Others, however, see no irony but an earnest and sincere desire on the part of Paul to reach his readers and even the false teachers who honestly believe that to obey the Law is to follow God’s will. Do you not hear what the Law says? may be equivalent to “do you really understand what the Law says?” or “… what the laws really mean?” In this particular context hear should be understood in the sense of full comprehension or realization of what is involved. For a language which could not employ a rhetorical question at this point, a strong negative statement may be used, for example, “you do not really understand what the Law is saying.”

Law here is specifically the Law, and would refer either to the whole Old Testament, or to the first five books, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch. The suggestion made by some scholars that this question has reference only to the public reading of scripture is too far-fetched to be taken seriously.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .