Rereading Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Sze-kar Wan Part One

Occasion & Purpose Basic Issues .13–15 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles.I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish—hence my eagerness to proclaim the to you also who are in . Romans 15.22–29 This is the reason that I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. At present, however, I am going to in a ministry to the saints; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things. So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of . “To be sent on” Greek: propempein • Found also in .3; 20.38; 21.5; 1 Cor 16.6, 11; 2 Cor 1.16; Titus 3.13; 3 John 6 • “To provision, to supply the needs of someone on a journey.” • In the NT, it means to support someone on a missionary journey. • Paul wants to go to Spain as a missionary • Paul is really asking the Roman congregation to be his sponsor for an extensive mission trip to Spain The Collection for the Poor • Paul’s consuming passion • Mentioned in his major letters—in chronological order: - Galatians 2.10

- 1 Corinthians 16.1–4

- 2 Corinthians 8–9

- 2 Corinthians 12.14–18

- Romans 15.25–27 (here) • Paul took up the collection from all his congregations, but it is now complete and is ready to be delivered. Galatians 2.1–10 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with , taking Titus along with me.I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ , so that they might enslave us—we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember th hi h t ll htI t d Galatians 2.1–10 • Meeting betw two congregations, Jerusalem & • Purpose: How to deal with the successful Gentile mission • Power Dynamics: - Meeting in Jerusalem, not in Antioch - Paul and Barnabas had to travel to Jerusalem - Paul has to be examined by the “pillars” - Paul is at pains to stress that the pillars recognized his “grace” - The pillars gave Paul and Barnabas the “right hand of fellowship” - The determined the division of labor (RSV: “agreeing”; Gk. hina, “in order that... or for the purpose of...”) The Collection for the Poor • “Poor” is the Jerusalem church’s self-designation • The pillars—James, John, Peter—represent the Jerusalem church • They enter into partnership with Paul and Barnabas, representing the Antioch church and the Gentile mission • With the intention (Gk. hina again in v. 10) that the Gentiles “remember the poor” • At heart a demand from Mother Church for tribute • If money is power, imposition of power on the Gentile congregations Three Questions 1. Nowhere else does Paul mention a mission to Span. Is this out of the blue?

2. The collection to the poor is an occasion for physical danger in Rom 15.31. Why?

3. Why isn’t Rome mentioned more often in the letter? Question 1: Spanish Mission In Rom 15.23 Paul says, “But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain.”

• Where are “these regions”?

• If he had contemplated going to Spain for many years, how come we have no inklings of this anywhere in his letters? Or do we?

• Why Spain? Question 2: The Collection “At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things ” (Rom 15.25–27).

• Why mention the collection at this moment?

• Paul wrote the letter in the city of Corinth. Why is Paul going east while the letter is being sent west?

• What does this exchange betw Jews and Gentiles say about the Jewish-Gentile relationship? Question 2: The Collection—Still “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company” (Rom 15.30–32).

• Notice the three mentions of “that” in the English. • It reads as if Paul has three prayer requests: - “that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea” - “that my ministry [=collection] might be acceptable to the saints” - “that by God’s will I may come to you....” Romans 15.31–32

(30 I appeal to you,..., to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf,)

31 in order that (hina) (a) I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and (b) my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints

32 in order that (hina) by God’s will I may come to you... Question 2: The Collection “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company” (Rom 15.30–32).

• The Greek has only two “that”: Only 2 uses of hina, not 3 - To be rescued from unbelievers in Judea and the collection be accepted by the Jerusalem church are one and the same thing - “Unbeliever”: Jews who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as messiah - “to be rescued” (Gk. rhyesthai): always from physical danger • Delivery of the collection could land Paul in physical danger! Question 3: Rome

Where is the Roman Empire?

• 1.7, 15: Some manuscripts omit the words “in Rome” - Without these words, there is little that betrays the Roman destination

• Surprising given the abundance of political terminology in the letter - Read Rom 1.1–6 Romans 1.1–6 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

• “Gospel” (Gk. Euangelion)

• “Son” (of God)

• “Descendant of David” (lit., “Seed of David”) Three Questions 1. Nowhere else does Paul mention a mission to Span. Is this out of the blue? - Answer: Corinth

2. The collection to the poor is an occasion for physical danger in Rom 15.31. Why? - Answer: Jerusalem

3. Why isn’t Rome mentioned more often in the letter? - Answer: Rome Part Two (A): Corinth Corinth: 2 Cor 10.13–16 We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you. For we were not overstepping our limits when we reached you; we were the first to come all the way to you with the good news of Christ. We do not boast beyond limits, that is, in the labors of others; but our hope is that, as your faith increases, our sphere of action among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may proclaim the good news in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in someone else’s sphere of action. Galatians 2.1–10 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us—we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, in order that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember th hi h t ll htI t d Corinth: 2 Cor 10.13–16 We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you. For we were not overstepping our limits when we reached you; we were the first to come all the way to you with the good news of Christ. We do not boast beyond limits, that is, in the labors of others; but our hope is that, as your faith increases, our sphere of action among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may proclaim the good news in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in someone else’s sphere of action. Corinth • Paul had hoped to use Corinth as center for Spanish mission

• But money got in the way - He refused to be remunerated by the Corinthians - He refused to come under patronage of the Corinthians - But at the same time he asked for donation to the collection - He was accused of misappropriation (2 Cor 11.14–18)

• He gave up on Corinth and while in Corinth he wrote Rome, a congregation over which he held little sway Part Two (B): Jerusalem Jerusalem • Jews exempted from emperor worship • In exchange they had to accept a daily gift from the Romans to sacrifice in the temple for the health of emperor:

“[The Jews insist on obeying the law, even to death.] Petronius [the Roman general] said to them, ‘Will you then make war against Caesar?’ The Jews said, ‘We offer sacrifices twice every day for Caesar, and for the Roman people;’ but that if he would place the images among them, he must first sacrifice the whole Jewish nation; and that they were ready to expose themselves, together with their children and wives, to be slain” (Josephus, Jewish War 2.195–98). “And at this time it was that some of those that principally excited the people to go to war made an assault upon a certain fortress called Masada. They took it by treachery, and slew the Romans that were there, and put others of their own party to keep it. At the same time Eleazar, the son of Ananias the high priest, a very bold youth, who was at that time governor of the temple, persuaded those that officiated in the Divine service to receive no gift or sacrifice for any foreigner. And this was the true beginning of our war with the Romans; for they rejected the sacrifice of Caesar on this account.... “Josephus, Jewish War 2.408–10). Part Two (C): Rome

Roman Political Theology Roman Political Theology • No distinction between history and myth - No distinction between logos and mythos - Myth is history - Ancestors identified with epic heroes Family Tree of Aeneas Family Tree of Aeneas (cont.) Roman Political Theology • No distinction between history and myth - No distinction between logos and mythos - Myth is history - Ancestors identified with epic heroes

• Meaning of pietas - Loyalty and responsibility to family and nation - No distinction between family and nation - No distinction between religion and nation Pietas: Aeneas & Anchises (520–510 BCE) Pietas: Aeneas & Anchises (Barocci 1598) Pietas: Aeneas & Anchises (van Loo 1729) Caesar Augustus • Born Octavianus (or Octavian)

• Joined force with Antonius (Mark Antony) to avenge murder of his adopted father Julius Caesar

• Took title Augustus after he became undisputed ruler

Caesar Augustus • Born Octavianus (or Octavian)

• Joined force with Antonius (Mark Antony) to avenge murder of his adopted father Julius Caesar

• Took title Augustus after he became undisputed ruler

• Meaning of Augustus: - Full of religious connotations - “Sacred, noble, glorious, respected” - “Gift of heaven” - In Greek, ho sebastos, “The one to be worshiped” Coin of Augustus (18 BCE) Coin of Augustus (2 BCE) Coin of Augustus & Coin of Augustus Forum Augustum

Temple of Mars Ultor (“Avenger”) Ara Pacis Augustae

Ara Pacis South Wall Ara Pacis North Wall

Augustus Pontifex Maximus Cicero, Scipio’s Dream “Be assured of this, so that you may be even more eager to defend the empire, (res publica). All who have protected, aided, or enlarged (augere) their fatherland have a reserved place prepared for them in the heavens, where they may enjoy a beatified existence forever. Nothing accomplished on earth is more pleasing to that supreme God (princeps deus) who rules the whole universe than human associations and councils in justice (iure) being bound together, which are called states (civitates). Their rulers and protectors come from here and thither they return” (6.13). Grand Cameo of France

Virgil, The Aeneid 6.851–53 Anchises addresses Fabius Maximus, but in reality to all Romans:

“Roman, remember by your strength to rule Earth’s peoples—for your arts are to be these: To pacify, to impose the rule of law, To spare the conquered, battle down the proud.” Part Three

Purpose of Romans Reconsidered .1–4 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers much encouragement, he came to Greece, where he stayed for three months. He was about to set sail for when a plot was made against him by the Jews, and so he decided to return through Macedonia. He was accompanied by son of Pyrrhus from , by Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, by from , and by Timothy, as well as by and from . Isaiah 60.1–16 1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. 7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall be acceptable on my altar, and I will glorify my glorious house. Isaiah 60.1–16 (cont.) 8 Who are these that fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows? 9 For the coastlands shall wait for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from far away, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you. 10 Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I struck you down, but in my favor I have had mercy on you. 11 Your gates shall always be open; day and night they shall not be shut, so that nations shall bring you their wealth, with their kings led in procession. 12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste. Isaiah 60.1–16 (cont.) 13 The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify where my feet rest. 14 The descendants of those who oppressed you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 15 Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, with no one passing through, I will make you majestic forever, a joy from age to age. 16 You shall suck the milk of nations, you shall suck the breasts of kings; and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Romans 11.26–27 26 And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; he will banish ungodliness from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” Isaiah 59.20–21

20 And he will come to Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, says the LORD.

21 And as for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD: my spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouths of your children, or out of the mouths of your children’s children, says the LORD, from now on and forever. Romans 11.26–27 26 And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; he will banish ungodliness from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”

• Paul changes from “to Zion” or “for Zion” (letzion) to “out of Zion” (ek siōn) • That’s bc Jerusalem is the new capital from which the messiah will launch his campaign • His kingdom will reach the ends of the earth The Peutinger Map

The End