The Mystery of Romans

The Jewish Context of Paul's Letter

Bibliographic Data

ID4860145
AuthorsAmy-Jill Levine (0000-0002-1871-6387), Amy‐Jill Levine (corresponding author), Mark D Nanos
Year1998
Volume89
Issue1/2
Pages222
Publication date1998-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Jewish Quarterly Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-6682 • E-ISSN: 1553-0604
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/1455307
OpenAlexW578330835
LanguageEN
Citations received12

Paul's letter to Romans, says Nanos, is an example of Jewish correspondence, addressing believers in Jesus who are steeped in Jewish ways-whether of Jewish or gentile origin. Arguing against those who think Paul was an apostate from Judaism, Nanos maintains Paul's continuity with his Jewish heritage. Several key arguments here are: Those addressed in Paul's letter were still an integral part of Roman synagogue communities. The weak are non- Christian Jews, while strong included both Jewish and gentile converts to belief in Jesus. Paul as a practicing devout Jew insists on rules of behavior for the righteous gentiles. Christian subordination to authorities (Romans 13:1-7) is intended to enforce submission to leaders of synagogues, not Roman government officials. Paul behaves in a way to confirm very Jewish portrait of him in Acts: going first to synagogues

Archaeology · Art · Context (archaeology · Judaism · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Classics · Historical and Linguistic Studies · History · Philosophy

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