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Romans 2: A Deuteronomistic Reading

Tokyo Christian Theological Seminary 301-5-2 Uchino 3-chome, Inzai-Machi, Inba-Gun, Chiba-Ken 270-13, Japan

Despite various proposals to solve the crux interpretum of Romans 2, none of them is satisfactory. This article proposes to incorporate elements of these solutions by paying attention to the covenantal perspective (i.e. the Deuteronomistic framework) and Paul's argumentative flow. Not only in 2.7-10, 29 but also in 2.14-15, 24 allusions to Deuteronomy 27-30 can be detected. With this Deuteronomistic frame work and other clues in mind, the Gentiles who without the law 'do by nature what the law requires' (vv. 14-15) can be identified with Christian Gentiles. On the other hand, the list of Jewish transgressions in vv. 17ff. can be understood as referring to the state of the spiritual 'exile' rather than their actual transgressions. Furthermore, the argumentative flow of Romans explains why Paul expresses himself so vaguely that the passage can be interpreted so differently: Paul deliberately avoids using Christian categories and expressions not to encourage Gentile Christians to boast over the Jews.

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