A New Perspective on Romans

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A New Perspective on Romans26 June 2013

Bill Brewer

— Bill Brewer 1 26 Jun 2013

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Definition: A good illustration is . . . .


. . . one that you discover just after the class is over



Definition: A good illustration is . . . .

— Bill Brewer

3 26 Jun 2013

Cottrell, J. (1996). Romans: Volume 1. The College Press NIV Commentary. Joplin, MO: College Press

On Rom 2:14But as a matter of fact— and this is Paul’s whole point in this section— there is no one at all in this category; everyone has sinned. As a formal principle it is true that the doers of the law will be justified. But in view of the universality of sin, it is only theoretically or hypothetically true. …. Thus vv. 7, 10, 13, 26 should not be taken as referring to any actual state of affairs.

Rom 2:14 “…. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves ….”

A good illustration from . . . .



NT Reinterpretation of the OTMt 2:15 "Out of Egypt I called my son"Mt 2:18 "A voice is heard in Ramah”Mt 3:3 "A voice of one calling”Mt 8:17 “He took up our infirmities”Lk 4:18ff “The Spirit of the Lord is on me”John 13:18 "He who shares my bread”John 19:36 “his bones will not be broken"Acts 13:33 “You are my Son”Acts 15:16ff “David's fallen tent”Rom 9:25ff “I will call them ‘my people’”Heb 2:6-9 “What is man”Heb 3:7-4, 11 “I swore in my wrath”Heb 6:20-7:21 “Thou art a priest forever”Heb 8:8-13 “I will make a new covenant”

Hos 11:1 about the ExodusJer 31:15 about Entry into CaptivityIs 40:3 about Return from CaptivityIs 53:4ff concerning Jehoachin or Israel Is 61:1ff about Isaiah’s anointingPs 41:9 about David’s betrayalPs 34:20 about the righteous in generalPs 2:7 about SolomonAm 9:11ff about Israel ruling the nationsHo 1:10; 2:23 reversing Israel’s repudiationPs 8, a creation hymn about mankindPs 95 God’s wilderness rejection of IsraelPs 110 Davidic title to Melchizedek’s throneJer 31:31-34 the covenant after the Return

— Bill Brewer

4 26 Jun 2013



Pauline Reinterpretation of “Keeping the Law”• NT writers DO NOT interpret the OT

• Rather they reinterpret it

• Likewise with Paul on “keeping the Law,” especially in Romans

• Christians “keep the Law” by …

• Loving God and loving neighbor (broadly)

• “Staying in step with the Spirit” (on the details) Gal 5:25

• Interestingly, Matthew portrays Jesus

• As Teacher of Torah

• As Keeper of Torah

• As Fulfillment of Torah

• As Torah (“where two or three…”)

Rom 8:7-8 The mind set on the flesh … does not subject itself to the law of God for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God

Rom 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you ….

So expanding vv7-8 to reflect v9, “the mind set on the flesh … does not subject itself to the law of God for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God

— Bill Brewer

5 26 Jun 2013

• Rather they reinterpret it— reinterpret it in light of Jesus

Spirit

Spirit



Romans Outline


I. Introduction (1:1–17)A. Introductory Statement and Greetings (1:1–7)B. Personal Explanations (1:8–15)C. Summary Statement of the Letter’s Theme (1:16–17)

II. The Righteousness of God—from God’s Faithfulness to Man’s Faith (1:18–11:36)A. The Righteousness of God—to Man’s Faith (1:18–5:21)

1. The Wrath of God on Man’s Unrighteousness (1:18–3:20)a) God’s Wrath on Humankind—from a Jewish Perspective (1:18–32)b) God’s Wrath on Jew First as Well as Gentile (2:1–3:8)c) The Impartiality of God (2:1–11)d) Possession of the Law No Safeguard (2:12–16)e) Favored Status No Security (2:17–24)f) Circumcision No Guarantee (2:25–29)g) What Then of God’s Faithfulness? (3:1–8)h) Conclusion: God’s Judgment on All without Exception (3:9–20)

Dunn, J. D. G. (1998). Vol. 38: Romans. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated.



Rom 3:9-10

3:9-10 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

3:1-2 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. ….

— Bill Brewer

7 26 Jun 2013

Does anyone see a problem here?

One way to solve the apparent contradiction is to say the Jews had an advantage (as in 3:1ff)

But they squandered it (thus 3:9ff) such that “every mouth is stopped” (3:19)

Great in every respect

3:9-10 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already

3:1-2 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of



Rom 3:11-13 10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one …”

11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God

12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one”

Vv 10-18 appear to be random quotes, but they have a subtext that advances Paul’s argument

Vv10-12: Ps 14:1-3; 53:1-3

Ps 14:6-7, “the LORD is the refuge of the afflicted. 7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad”

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 8



Rom 3:11-13 13 “Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving,” “The poison of asps is under their lips”

Vv 10-18 describe the scope of sin in terms of …• Everyone (“there is none”)• Every bit • Throat• Tongues• Lips• Mouths• Feet• Eyes

V13: Ps 5:9: 140:3

Ps 5:8, “O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes”

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 9



Rom 3:14 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”

V14: Ps 10:7Ps 10:12, “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted”

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 10



Rom 3:15-17 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood

16 Destruction and misery are in their paths

17 And the path of peace have they not known”

V15-17: Pr 1:16; Isa 59:7-8Isa 59:16, “And [the LORD] saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness upheld Him17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle ….20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the LORD.

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 11



Rom 3:18 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes”

V18: Ps 36:1

Ps 36:5, “Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies

6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God ….

7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! ….

10 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart

Surface text of the quotes say “all are sinners,” but the subtext says God will be faithful to His covenant

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 12



Rom 3:19-20 19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God

20 because by the works of the Law no

flesh will be justified in His sight; for

through the Law comes the knowledge

of sin

20 Therefore no one will be declared

righteous in his sight by observing the

law; rather, through the law we become

conscious of sin (NIV)

V19: “Stopping of the mouth” has a legal connotation and confirms the law-court imagery of the preceding verses

The only evidence available is of sin

V20: Cf. the NIV …• Confuses the logical flow with

“therefore” and “rather” vs. “because” and “for”• Misses a fundamental point with “no

one” vs. “no flesh”8:7 “It is the mind set on the flesh that does not submit to the Law”

• Introduces an individualistic element with, “we become conscious of sin” vs. “comes the knowledge of sin”

V20 sets up a contrast with v21

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 13

the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become

because

for flesh

through the Law comes the knowledge

of sin

Therefore no one

law; rather, through the law we become

conscious of sin (NIV)

rather

noon how it . . .

(NASB)

(NIV)



Rom 3:21 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets

V21: “Righteousness of God” is an objective genitive in that God is the object of the implied verb action (“being made right”) rather than its subject (“making right”)

In other words, God has shown His covenant faithfulness, thereby demonstrating His righteousness in respect to His covenant people

All of that is in accord with what the Law and Prophets have said

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 14

righteousness of God



Rom 3:22 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction

V22: “Faith of Jesus Christ” is a genitive construction with all the ambiguities thereof

Most translations bias that ambiguity toward the idea of an individual’s “faith toward Jesus” (objective genitive)

Paul’s emphases in Romans though is “faith from Jesus” (subjective genitive); i.e., “faithfulness of Jesus Christ”

“Faithfulness” (versus “faith”) emphasizes deeds done

The deeds done by Jesus manifest His “right-wising” of God vis-à-vis God’s covenant with Abraham

“No distinction” is familiar to us but would be provocative to ancient Jews

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 15

faith of Jesus Christ faithfulness of Jesus . . . no

distinction



Rom 3:22-23 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

In vv22-23, the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) lines up key ideas nicely• God has shown Himself faithful to

His covenant (righteous) through the faithfulness of Jesus• The blessings of Abraham have come

without distinction between Jew and Gentile• For all (Jew and Gentile) are in the

same predicament (“fall short”) …

There is no thought here of an atomized, individualistic salvation

This is a huge point in contrast to Reformation emphases!!

V23: “Falling short of God’s glory” likely alludes to the Fall of Adam

26 Jun 2013 — Bill

Brewer 16

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God


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A New Perspective on Romans

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