Bible – Explicitpapers

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Reading assignment: Gorman 92-117

Why did Paul write letters? What was the function of his letters?

In your own words, explain what Gorman means when he says that Pauls letters were:

Narrative

Occasional

Pastoral

Authoritative

How does Paul modify traditional ancient letters?

What are some examples of Pauls usage of ancient rhetoric?

What are the sources that Paul draws on in his letters?

Why are Pauls letters organized the way that they are in the New Testament?

Why does Gorman think that Pauls letters should be read theologically? (And what does it mean to read Pauls letters theologically?)

What struck in the readings for today and why?

Read Romans 1.1-15 and respond to the follow questions below:

How does Paul describe the gospel is this passage? (What are the key ideas and features that he uses?)

Does his description of the gospel match your description? Explain.

Why would it be important for Gods Son to be from Davids line or seed? (Hint: 2 Samuel 7)

What is the basis for Pauls gratitude (in other words, why does he give thanks)? What does he affirm about his original readers?

What is the content of Pauls prayer? How does his prayer relate to the purpose of the letter (which we discussed in Unit 1)?

Read Romans 1.16-17 and respond to the following questions:

Read Romans 1.17 in the following translations. What are the significant differences between these translations?

Romans 1:17

New International Version (NIV)

17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[b]

Footnotes:

a. Romans 1:17 Or is from faith to faith

b. Romans 1:17 Hab. 2:4

New International Version (NIV)

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

English Standard Version (ESV)

17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,[a] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Footnotes:

a. Romans 1:17 Or beginning and ending in faith

b. Romans 1:17 Or The one who by faith is righteous shall live

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, (A) [a] just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

Footnotes:

a. Romans 1:17 Or revealed out of faith into faith

b. Romans 1:17 Or The one who is righteous by faith will live

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

What does righteousness of God mean in Romans 1.17? (Draw on the material in Gorman)

What Old Testament passage does Paul quote in Romans 1.17? Is it a verbatim translation? Explain.

Read Romans 1:18-3:20 and respond to the following questions:

According to Paul (1.18-32), how did the world come to be in the state that it is today? In other words, what is the problem of humanity?

What does Paul mean by the phrase God gave them up to (1.24, 26, 28)? What leads God to this point?

What does 2.11 affirm about God? How might this relate to the situation that Paul is addressing?

What does 2.12-16 affirm and how does this relate to Gods impartiality?

What is the question/concern that Paul is raising in Roman 3.3 about God and Israel? Why is this important question for a Jew?

What does Paul emphasize about God in Romans 3.1-8? How does that contrast with the previous section of his letter (2.1-29) and the following section (3.9-20)?

Read Romans 3.21-31 and following the instructions below.

One of the best ways to get a glimpse at some of the interpretive difficulties in a passage is to compare English translations that are trying to accurately represent the original Greek text. I have included five translations of Romans 3.21-26 that will highlight a number of interpretive challenges in this passage. Read Rom 3.21-26 in the following passages and answer the following questions:

Underline every time the phrase righteousness of/from God occurs in the passage. Remember that we discussed that this term righteousness of God can mean a number of things: (a) Gods moral quality; (b) a righteous quality that God gives or imparts; (c) Gods impartial administration of justice; (d) Gods saving covenantal faithfulness.

What do you think is the best way to think about the phrase righteousness of God, especially in light of Rom 1.16-17?

Circle every phrase that reads through faith in/of Jesus or through faith. In Greek, this phrase, dia pisteos iasou christou (dia pisteos), can be translated through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ (through faithfulness). Re-read each of the circled phrases with this other translation, that is, with the phrase through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ/through faithfulness. How does this change the emphasis of this passage?

What are the significant differences in the translations of Rom 3.25?

Lets take a closer look at the word hilastarion, which is translated mercy seat in the Greek OT and in Youngs Literal Translation.

Read Exodus 25.17-22. What is the purpose of the Mercy Seat?

Read Leviticus 16.11-22. What is the purpose of the Mercy Seat? How is the Mercy Seat used? Who offers the sacrifice on the mercy seat? What happens after the sacrifice is made on the Mercy Seat?

In light of this study, why do you think that the NAS, NIV and the ESV translate hilastarion as sacrifice of atonement or propitiation by his blood?

Rom 3.25 combines three references to worship in the temple: (a) God put forth/presented Jesus (as an offering); (b) mercy seat; and (c) blood. How do these three images further reveal the way in which God has been faithful to his covenant?

In light of your analysis, what is the main point of this passage? And who is the main point of this passage? What does Gorman say?

NASB

NIV

ESV

New Jerusalem Bible

Youngs Literal Translation

NET

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 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, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished– 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

21 God’s saving justice was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but now it has been revealed altogether apart from law: 22 God’s saving justice given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. 23 No distinction is made: all have sinned and lack God’s glory, 24 and all are justified by the free gift of his grace through being set free in Christ Jesus. 25 God appointed him as a sacrifice for reconciliation, through faith, by the shedding of his blood, and so showed his justness; first for the past, when sins went unpunished because he held his hand;26 and now again for the present age, to show how he is just and justifies everyone who has faith in Jesus.

21 And now apart from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested, testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 and the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, — for there is no difference, 23 for all did sin, and are come short of the glory of God — 24 being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God did set forth a mercy seat, through the faith in his blood, for the shewing forth of His righteousness, because of the passing over of the bygone sins in the forbearance of God — 26 for the shewing forth of His righteousness in the present time, for His being righteous, and declaring him righteous who is of the faith of Jesus.

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed 22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed. 26 This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus’ faithfulness.

Read Romans 4.1-25 and respond to the following questions.

Why is Abraham a significant figure?

How does Romans 4.25 fit with what Paul has been saying thus far in the letter?

When Gorman says that Abraham is a hybrid (pg. 361), what does he mean?

According to Gorman, what is the point(s) Paul is making with Abraham?

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