Peng outlines a plausible structure for Romans 12.1-15.13. After a brief survey of scholars' opinions about the structure of this passage, three methodologies (structural exegesis, discourse analysis, and rhetorical criticism) are analysed. Having acknowledged that each of these methodologies has its own limitations, an eclectic approach, which is analogous with 'putting together a jigsaw puzzle without the final picture', is suggested.
According to this 'jigsaw puzzle' analogy, the first portion of the 'puzzle' to be put together is Romans 12.9-21, followed by an analysis of chapter 13.1-7. Based upon the conclusions of these two chapters, a larger picture of chapter 12.9-13.10 is put together. After expanding the picture by including chapter 12.1-8 as well as chapter 13.11-14, an analysis of chapters 14.1-15.13 is carried out. The last step is to put together chapters 12.1-13.14 and chapters 14.1-15.13 to develop the final picture.
Peng also includes two appendices: the first is an assessment of the historical background of chapter 13.1-7 in light of the analysis presented; and the second is a short assessment of interpretations of the word 'pistis' in chapter 12.3 and 12.6, in which the rationale behind the interpretation of this term is discussed.
JSNTS 300
Rev. Dr. Kuo-Wei Peng is a translation consultant for the United Bible Society in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Chris Keith is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway. He is the author of The Pericope Adulterae, the Gospel of John and the Literacy of Jesus, a winner of the 2010 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and Jesus' Literacy: Scribal Culture and the Teacher from Galilee. He is also the co-editor of Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, and was recently named a 2012 Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar.