From Galatia to Rome Adult Forum February 16, 2014 God’s Righteousness: Romans 1 to 4

Recap of Last Week Paul, seeking assistance, writes to the community of Jewish Jesus followers in Rome, though he knows some oppose him there. Theme of Paul’s letter in Romans 1:16-17: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to all the faithful, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God has been revealed in it, from faithfulness to faithfulness, as it is written: “The righteous one will live out of faithfulness.”

Question Vexing Jews How does God make righteous non-Jews? Jewish stereotype of non-Jews Worship of many gods leads to sinfulness and depravity: lust, covetousness, malice, envy, murder strife, gossip, etc., etc., and so forth (Roman 1:18-32; Wisdom 13-15).

Question Vexing Jews How does God go about making righteous non-Jews? Jewish stereotype of degenerate non-Jews Traditional Jewish answer: Convert Paul: God has stepped into history and through Jesus non-Jews can establish right relationship

Paul’s Argument: Chapters 1-2 Granted: non-Jews are degenerate (Rom 1:18- 32) But who are you Jews to condemn them when you yourself are sinners (2:1-16)... and you have to admit there are some good non-Jews out there (2:17-29) Paul’s interlocutor asks: “Then is the Law worthless?” (Rom 3:1)

Digression: Paul’s Use of an Interlocutor (an Imaginary Dialogue Partner) Teacher, Paul, responds to questions posed by imaginary dialogue partner, the interlocutor

Digression: Paul’s Use of an Interlocutor (an Imaginary Dialogue Partner) Teacher, Paul, responds to questions posed by imaginary dialogue partner, the interlocutor Used by teachers to refute the ideas of the audience without enraging the audience Interlocutor recognized by audience by presenting questions, change of voice, use of singular-you rather than plural

Paul’s Argument: Chapter 3 3:1-20: The position of the Jews 3:1-9 Law is of value for Jews 3:10-18 Scriptural proof 3:19-20 Summary 3:21-4:3Position of non-Jews 3:21-30Faithfulness of Jesus justifies non-Jews... 3:31All of this is in line with the Law

Paul’s Argument: Romans 4:1-21 4:1 “Why do we say that we have found Abraham our father – according to the flesh?” Galatians 3 Paul emphasizes that Abraham is the father of non-Jewish Jesus followers. Interlocutor: is it because of Abraham’s deeds – “according to the flesh”– that we have this status? Paul: No! Abraham received the promise to be father of many nations before he was circumcised and became a Jew (Genesis 15 vs. 17). (Rom 4:2-21)

Paul’s Argument: Romans 4:22-25 Abraham’s faith/faithfulness established the promise that Abraham would be the father of Jews and non-Jews. [But non-Jews degenerates and unworthy to be descendants of Abraham.] Jesus Christ’s faith/faithfulness established a way for non-Jews to be part of Abraham’s family 4:25 “who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.”

Next Week February 23 Romans 9-11: How Jesus followers relate to Jews who do not follow Jesus?