From Faith to Faith: Romans 1.17 in the Light of Greek Idiom

Abstract

Despite widespread agreement on the significance of Rom 1.16–17, agreement on its meaning has been elusive. This study focuses on one disputed phrase, εκ πιστεως εις πιστιν, suggesting that it should be read, in the light of Greek idiom, as indicating growth. In the context of Rom 1 the growth Paul is celebrating is not individual faith. Rather, in the gospel – the prophetic announcement of the arrival of eschatological salvation in Christ – the righteousness of God is revealed, resulting in the growing faith of the Gentiles. Paul does not cite Hab 2.4 in Rom 1.17 as a messianic prophecy but as scriptural confirmation that faith is the appropriate response to the gospel.