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  • From: Edgar Krentz <ekrentz AT lstc.edu>
  • To: "Corpus-paul" <corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Romans 1
  • Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 13:44:09 -0600


>That this is the purpose seems to be supported by the body opening, 1:13-15.
>I was struck by Fitzmyer's observation that the phrase, which he translates,
>"I am indebtedŠ" refers in part to the things Paul has learned from his
>contacts with the Hellenistic world and diaspora Judaism. That leads me to
>think that Paul's reference in 1:11 to being "Šmutually encouraged by each
>other's faithŠ"(NRSV), and "Šeagerness to preach the gospelŠ"(1:15) are
>expressions of Paul's expectation that while he knows he has something to
>offer the Romans in the way of enhancing their understanding the gospel, he
>also believes that they have something that they can teach him. The
>question is, just what might the Romans offer? Paul can't fully know that
>and so he lays out his paideia as a way of getting the conversation started.
>
>Under this scenario, the challenge that Paul faces is that for the Romans
>there is no exigence and no rhetorical situation. For Paul both were
>provided by the Corinthian controversy. That controversy swirled in part
>around his apostolic persona; thus he decides to establish that immediately
>in the opening greeting of Romans.

Jim, I would differ with you on the rhetorical exigency in Romans. Have you
read the volume on Romans edited by Karl Donfried? Or the NT intro by Willi
Marxsen? I find the exigence in the Jew/Gentile division, alluded to in
Romans 1:14-17, expandedon first negatively, then possitively in 1:18-3:31,
returned to in Romans 9-11, and underlieing the division with which Paul
deals in Rromans 12:15 [strong and weak], divided attitudes to the Roman
authorities, etc.

And I would ask, what light does that shed on the phrase "obedience of
faith" in Rom 1:5 and how does the thanksgiving prepare for it.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Edgar Krentz
Professor of New Testament Emeritus
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 E. 55th Street
Chicago, IL 60615 USA
773-256-0752
e-mail: ekrentz AT lstc.edu (Office)
GHRASKW AEI POLLA DIDASKOMENOS.
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