A socio-rhetorical analysis of Romans 7 : with special attention to the law

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims to interpret Romans 7 with special reference to the law. Both Romans 7 andthe law in Paul are very difficult to understand. However, both are important for anunderstanding of Pauline theology and the gospel. In the past historical critical analyses wereusually done in order to solve problematic passages like Romans 7 in Paul's letters. In thisstudy a socio-rhetorical analysis is utilized.To start with, previous research is briefly dealt with in order obtain an overall picture of theunderstanding of the law in the past. From this overview more than ten problem areas areidentified. Then, socio-rhetorical analysis is briefly explained. This is a multi-dimensional andmulti-disciplinary method developed by Vernon Robbins, which sees the text as havingvarious textures. In this research the method is utilized with some modifications.In chapter 4 the macrostructure of Romans is established by means of epistolary analysis andrhetorical analysis. Next, Rom. 7 is established as a rhetorical unit within Rom. 5-8 as thebroader co-text of Rom. 7. After that the rhetorical situation of Romans is discussed, as wellas some of Paul's rhetorical devices and styles. Finally, the rhetorical species of Romans isdetermined as deliberative rhetoric.From chapters 5 to 7, Rom. 7 is analyzed, using different textual analyses. In an analysis ofinner texture repetitive-progressive texture, opening-middle-closing texture, andargumentative texture are discussed. Here an enthymemic analysis is used in order to chartPaul's argumentative flow of thought. From this it is concluded that Rom. 7: 1-6 is an analogy,which is an important tool for argumentation, and that the present tense in Rom. 7:14-25functions as part of a combination of autobiographical-typical-rhetorical features for thepurpose of argumentation.In the analysis of intertexture the scriptural intertexture is investigated: recitation withomission and thematic elaboration. In the cultural intertextual analysis some Jewish culturalintertextures are noted, namely, Rom. 7:8-10 as an allusion to both Gen. 3 and Exod. 3, Paul'susage of the 1, the law, slavery image, and the evil inclination. It is also interesting thatRom. 7: 15 & 19 and the I are allusions to Greek tragedy, sin as power, and slavery as Greco-Roman cultural intertexture. In analyzing the social intertexture it can be concludedthat the marriage analogy is closer to Jewish marriage than to Greco-Roman marriage.The final analysis is an investigation of the theological texture. Here salvation history and thecovenant of God are first dealt with in order to get to grips with Paul's theological world.Then, Pauline hamartiology, anthropology, and finally, nomism are investigated. Theconclusion is that VOl-lOS' in Rom. 7 mostly denotes the universal moral law of God, bothwritten and unwritten, not just the Mosaic law; though in some cases it denotes principle orrule as in vv. 21-25. Rom. 7 as a whole is a refutation of the objection or misunderstandingthat might be raised regarding Paul's statements of the law in previous chapters. In Rom. 7Paul elaborates the relationship between believers and the law, and the function of the law inrelation to sin in an unregenerate person. In so doing, he vehemently denies that the law is sin,and vividly indicates the function of the law using his own experience.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University