This study aims to interpret Romans 7 with special reference to the law. Both Romans 7 and the law in Paul are very difficult to understand. However, both are important for an understanding of Pauline theology and the gospel. In the past historical critical analyses were usually done in order to solve problematic passages like Romans 7 in Paul's letters. In this study a socio-rhetorical analysis is utilized. To start with, previous research is briefly dealt with in order obtain an overall picture of the understanding of the law in the past. From this overview more than ten problem areas are identified. Then, socio-rhetorical analysis is briefly explained. This is a multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary method developed by Vernon Robbins, which sees the text as having various 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 and rhetorical analysis. Next, Rom. 7 is established as a rhetorical unit within Rom. 5-8 as the broader co-text of Rom. 7. After that the rhetorical situation of Romans is discussed, as well as some of Paul's rhetorical devices and styles. Finally, the rhetorical species of Romans is determined as deliberative rhetoric. From chapters 5 to 7, Rom. 7 is analyzed, using different textual analyses. In an analysis of inner texture repetitive-progressive texture, opening-middle-closing texture, and argumentative texture are discussed. Here an enthymemic analysis is used in order to chart Paul'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. 7:14-25 functions as part of a combination of autobiographical-typical-rhetorical features for the purpose of argumentation. In the analysis of intertexture the scriptural intertexture is investigated: recitation with omission and thematic elaboration. In the cultural intertextual analysis some Jewish cultural intertextures are noted, namely, Rom. 7:8-10 as an allusion to both Gen. 3 and Exod. 3, Paul's usage of the "1," the law, slavery image, and the evil inclination. It is also interesting that Rom. 7: 15 & 19 and the "I" are allusions to Greek tragedy, sin as power, and slavery as III Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za

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Ascription as a Literary Form

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

THE PREACHING OF “THE GOSPEL OF GOD”: PAUL’S MISSION TO THE NATIONS IN ROMANS Subhro Sekhar Sircar, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2012 Chair: Dr. Mark A. Seifrid This research investigates the preaching of the gospel of God as Paul’s mission to the nations in the letter to the Romans. Chapter 1, which explains the topic and its importance in the mission context, sets the stage for the main body of research. Chapter 2 explores the epistolary frame of the letter and contends that Paul basically had a missionary purpose for writing the Romans. The letter opening and closing affirm this divine commission and authority for preaching the gospel to all the nations. Paul skillfully establishes the universal significance of the gospel he was called to preach.. Chapter 3 examines God’s identity in Paul’s mission to the nations. God is the foundation and starting point for his mission. Paul frequently uses descriptive statements regarding God’s acts. He has made it plain that God’s true identity is bounded by His actions for His people. These statements clearly demonstrate that the biblical God is not only the divine being, who encompasses divine attributes and nature. He is additionally the One who acts, which forms the distinct Christian identity of God, revealed fully and only in Jesus. Chapter 4 investigates Paul’s mission in the context of his missionary function. Paul was commissioned to preach the gospel, and—specifically—his call was to be an apostle to the gentiles; he was set apart for “the gospel of God.” The gospel’s authority lies with God, who owns it and originated it. The preaching of the gospel concerns God's Son, a promise God made in the Old Testament, which is now fulfilled in the incarnate, crucified, risen Christ. Paul’s missionary calling was bringing the nations, both Jews and gentiles, together as one people of God by preaching the gospel. The ultimate goal of Paul’s missionary task was joining the Jews and the gentiles in praise and worship of God. It is evident from this research that Paul’s calling and commission were serving as a missionary to the nations. This calling was an integral part of God's redemptive plan, which was marked by the promise of blessing for the nations. Thus, Paul’s worldwide mission underscores Romans’ purpose. VITA Subhro Sekhar Sircar PERSONAL Born: August 29, 1961, 24 Parganas, West Bengal (WB), India Parents: G. N. Sircar (deceased) and Hemprova Sircar Married: Susanna Carmichael, October 12, 1991 EDUCATIONAL Higher Secondary (Science), WB Council of Higher Secondary Education, WB, India Diploma, Electrical Engineering, National Council of Vocational Training, ND, India B.Th., Senate of Serampore College (University), WB, India B.D., Senate of Serampore College (University), WB, India M.Th. (New Testament), Senate of Serampore College (University), WB, India MINISTERIAL Superintendent, Youth and Children Ministry, Raghabpur Baptist Church, Shimulpur, N. 24 Pargana, India, 1978-80 Assistant Pastor, National Christian Church, Samsi, Malda District, WB, India, 1985-87 Associate Pastor, Raghabpur Baptist Church, Shimulpur, N. 24 Pargana, India, 1991-92 Church Planting Trg. & Mission Research Coordinator, National Fellowship, Calcutta, WB, India, 1991-1993 Pastor, Barrackpore Christian Church, N. 24 Pargana, WB, India, 1991-93 State Director, WB Mission Research, CONS India, Chennai, India, 1993-1998 State Director of Mission Research, The Bible League India, Chennai, India, 1999-2002 Mission Consultant, First Baptist Church, De Soto, Missouri, USA 2009-2010 ACADEMIC Lecturer, Calcutta Bible College, Calcutta, India, 1995-98 Visiting Professor, Bishop’s College, Calcutta, India, 1999-2001 Assistant Professor of New Testament, Serampore College, WB, India, 19982005

The preaching of "the gospel of god": paul's mission to the nations in romans

Rethinking Supreme Court Power in the Study of Judicial Impact

Die Paränese des Epheserbriefes

I N THE ancient Greek letter there occurred a phrase which can be called the greeting. This phrase has been identified by F. X. Exler as an epistolary form, but was called a wish form apparently because he wanted to treat it along with the ir(LaiPELP wish and the Eppwu(JaL wish. He said, \"Its basic form is: aU7rasov (aU7raUaL) TOUS uous 7raPTas. In this form it occurs during the first century B.C.'\" The greeting did not always appear at the beginning of the letter and is not to be confused with the opening. The greeting was a distinct literary form which was intended to establish a bond of friendship. It was essentially one of those gestures which has little intellectual content but which has emotional expression as its main purpose. It forms a communication bridge even where there is no specific merchandise to be exchanged. It was the epistolary equivalent of a wave of the hand. As a literary form, the greeting appears in three types, corresponding to the three persons of the verb.

Greeting as a New Testament Form

Form-Criticism, in the Gospels especially, in which the content of the "form" has played a most important part and the structure has often appeared to be subordinated. On the other hand there has been the work of Literary Criticism with its approach to form marked by a tendency to let structure characterize a "form" and to let the content contribute only functional elements. In this paper I shall analyze the petition as a form from the latter point of view.

Ascription as a Literary Form

Citations

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

The preaching of "the gospel of god": paul's mission to the nations in romans

Rethinking Supreme Court Power in the Study of Judicial Impact

Die Paränese des Epheserbriefes

References

Greeting as a New Testament Form

Petition as a Literary Form

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