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  • From: Frich107 AT aol.com
  • To: corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] The audience of Romans
  • Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 08:05:22 EDT

Just a follow up from the previous post by Antti:

Esler (p.138) writes, 'His (Paul's) purpose was to harvest some fruit among them as also among the other non-Judeans. I have explained in chapter 5 that this statement is to be understood as indicating his interest in making converts in the world of non-Judeans beyond the borders of Judea, even though some of those converts were routinely Judean...' (See Esler pp.111-115 for his further comments on this issue)

Admittedly this is not the most thorough treatment of the issue that Antti raises here with regards the audience or Romans. However, I can see Esler's point, and feel that it is a good one. Paul writes elsewhere (Romans 11:13) that he is the apostle to the Gentiles. In other words his main focus as an apostle is to preach to Gentiles, rather than Jews (or Judeans to use Esler's terminology). That is not to say that Paul is uninterested in the plight or salvation of Judeans, or Jews, but rather that he feels his call is towards Gentiles. Hence it would make sense for him to primarily address Gentile Christ believers in Romans, rather than Jewish Christ believers, especially if it was the Gentile ones who were in leadership in Rome following the Claudian expulsion of Jews from Rome not too long beforehand.

Hope these comments are helpful.

Best wishes,

Fred Rich
Leeds, UK.



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