A Stoic Reading of Internal Obedience in Romans 1

18-2:29

Bibliographic Data

ID3556041
AuthorsLaurie A Wilson (Biola University, corresponding author), Isaac D Blois (0000-0002-3258-347X, Biola University, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume14
Issue5
Pages579
Publication date2023-04-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel14050579
OpenAlexW4367182380
LanguageEN
References cited41

Romans 1:18-2:29 connects with Stoic philosophy in a way that would be unmistakable to a Gentile audience. While acknowledging the Hellenistic tone of the passage, this paper focuses on the Stoic elements of natural law that were broadly recognized in Rome. Particularly, Cicero's speeches, rhetorical handbooks, and philosophical treatises provide a comprehensive account of the connections between Hellenistic philosophy and Roman law and declamation. Although no direct evidence exists to show that Paul had read Cicero, these texts reveal the culture of the Roman Christians to whom Paul was writing. Key concepts of natural law appear in Romans that contextualize Paul's message on internal obedience in 2:27-29, although he reworks them. Paul emphasizes spirit 'πνεῦμα' as the generating force of obedience. Two interpretations of πνεῦμα echo Stoic perspectives as the intent opposed to the letter of the law and as the inward motivation of the person obeying the law. The third interpretation as a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit would be new for Paul's Roman audience. This paper demonstrates that by incorporating Stoic elements on natural law, Paul presents the central significance of internal obedience in a way that would be understandable to his Christ-believing auditors and readers in Rome

Art · Cicero · Epistemology · Linguistics · Literature · Natural law · Obedience · Rhetorical question · Augustinian Studies and Theology · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Classics · History · Law · Philosophy

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