3 - Romans 4: the continuation of apologetic argumentation

Summary

The thesis of the present chapter is that Paul continues his apologetic argumentation in Romans 4 by bringing forth Abraham both as a great testimonial figure and as scriptural confirmation. Paul's apologetic line of argumentation has its climax at Romans 3.29–30 with the affirmation of the One God. Romans 4 provides scriptural confirmation for his concern to manifest the continuity of the gospel of God with that which “God promised before” (cf. Rom. 1.1–2). The apologetic motifs here identified, it should be noted, are most appropriate to the protreptic genre. Before presenting my analysis of the apologetic motifs and logic of Romans 4, I will examine three recent interpretations of this chapter.

Three representative approaches to Romans 4

Earle Ellis: Romans 4 as midrash

Earle Ellis has focused attention on the hermeneutical principles informing Paul's use of the Old Testament. Paul often combines two or more quoted texts in various forms: a chain of passages (e.g. Rom. 15.9–12); a commentary pattern (Rom. 9–11 passim), both of which were commonly employed in Judaism; and composite or merged citations (Rom. 3.10–18). He also makes ad hoc renderings or interpretive selections from various known texts (cf. Rom. 9.33 and 10.11). Ellis argues that Paul, and the New Testament in general, interprets the Old Testament in a midrashic mode: “Explicit midrash appears in double entendre, in interpretive alterations of Old Testament citations and in more elaborate forms.”