Paul's Rhetoric in Its Contexts: The Argument of Romans

Paul’s Rhetoric in Its Contexts offers a substantially new interpretation of Romans, looking in detail at the specific contexts in which Paul wrote the letter, the internal literary cues to its structure, and the rhetoric and philosophical style of his arguments.

The resulting interpretation is not a commentary. Rather, it offers new and perhaps truer views of Paul’s actual concerns and objectives in writing the letter—and to the arguments he makes in it. According to Tobin, Paul wrote this letter as a response to the Roman Christian community’s suspicion of him because of his controversial past and writing, rethinking and revising some of the positions he took earlier in his letters to the Galatian and Corinthian churches.

Tobin argues that, while recent ecumenically minded works have moved beyond long-standing denominational interpretations to offer a broader perspective on Romans, they have still not broken through the basic framework itself of these interpretations. For example, while most interpreters have moved beyond taking denominational positions in the interpretation of Romans on such topics as justification by faith, salvation, or "the works of the law," the belief has remained that these topics are, indeed, what Paul’s letter to the Romans is about.

This substantial reevaluation of Romans provides a rich array of fresh perspectives on the book, offering new ways to understand and use the letter, both in the interpretation of early Christianity and in contemporary theological discussion. Scholars and pastors alike will find the bibliography, outline, and indexes useful.

"An important, thought-provoking expose' of Paul's Epistle to the Romans! Though not a commentary in the usual sense, Tobin's monograph studies the flow of Paul's arguments by concentrating on their rhetorical presentation rather than on traditional theological themes. The arguments are studied in their multiple contexts: that of the Roman Christian converts acquainted with Judaism, that of Paul and his earlier controversies in Galatia and Corinth, that of Paul's knowledge of Roman Christians and their suspicions about his stance on the Mosaic law (as in Galatians), and that of Paul as he set out to write to the church of Rome. Tobin's study proposes a new outline for the diatribe of 1:18-11:36, dividing it into four expository parts, calm in tone with traditional language (1:18-32; 3:21-26; 5:1-21; 8:1-30) and four argumentative sections, polemical in tone with OT quotations (2:1-3:20; 3:27-4:25; 6:1-7:25; 8:31-11:36). This fresh study of Romans not only challenges veter an interpreters, but recasts many well-known passages in new light. It is highly recommended for the study of professors, pastors, students of the Bible, and general educated readers." —Joseph A. Fitzmyer, SJ, Professor Emeritus, Biblical Studies, Catholic University of America

"This is the best explanation of Romans so far. It does not discuss isolable themes ( the commentary format) that provide a systematic account of Paul’s gospel. Instead, Tobin argues Romans was an actual letter, arising out of suspicions Roman Christians had about him. Although largely Gentile, Roman Christians were convinced of the ongoing need to observe Mosaic law. Thus, because Paul had a reputation as a radical Jew, Tobin says Paul wrote Romans to address objections about his negative attitude toward Mosaic law and his apparent lack of concern for fellow Jews. Although Paul was convinced God had now established righteousness by faith in Christ, both for Gentiles and Jews apart from observance of Mosaic law, indirection was required to justify his perspective. Thus, Tobin say Paul chose the diatribe for his mode of argument. This allowed him to set out initially what he held in common with Roman Christians and, subsequently, to be indirect when he turned to a defense of his differences with Roman Christians." —John L. White, Professor of New Testament & Christian Origins, Loyola University of Chicago

Thomas H. Tobin, SJ, is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Loyola University of Chicago. He is the author of three books: The Creation of Man: Philo and the History of Interpretation; Timaios of Locri, On the Nature of the World and the Soul; and The Spirituality of Paul. He has also written a number of scholarly articles in the areas of the New Testament (especially on Paul and the Gospel of John) and of Hellenistic Judaism. He has been a member of the editorial boards of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, the Journal of Biblical Literature, and New Testament Studies. At present he is a member of the editorial boards of The Studia Philonica Annual, The Studia Philonica Monograph Series, and the New Commentary Series on Philo of Alexandria.