Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 52:2 (Fall 1990)
Article: The Obedience of Faith in the Letter to the Romans Part I: The Meaning of ὑπακοὴ πίστεως (Rom 1:5; 16:26)
Author: Don B. Garlington

WTJ 52:2 (Fall 1990) p. 201

The Obedience of Faith in the Letter to the Romans
Part I: The Meaning of ὑπακοὴ πίστεως (Rom 1:5; 16:26)

Don B. Garlington

Unique to the whole of pre-Christian Greek literature and to Paul himself, the phrase ὑπακοὴ πίστεως, occurring in Rom 1:5 and 16:26, 1 gives voice to the design of the apostle’s missionary gospel Within Romans itself the phrase is invested with a twofold significance. For one, against the backdrop of faith’s obedience in Jewish literature, these words assume a decidedly polemical thrust: the covenant fidelity of God’s ancient people (Israel) is now a possibility apart from assuming the identity of that people.2 Dunn then is right that the phrase neatly summarizes Paul’s apologetic in the Roman letter.3

From another point of view, Rom 1:5 can be looked upon as a programmatic statement of the main purpose of the Roman letter.4 For this reason Dunn again is correct in writing: “To clarify what faith is and its importance to his gospel is one of Paul’s chief objectives in this letter.”5 In order

WTJ 52:2 (Fall 1990) p. 202

to appreciate the point, it will be necessary briefly to relate the importance of faith to another purpose of the letter, viz., “to redraw the boundaries which marked out the people of God.”6 Whereas before to be a member of the covenant people was to live within the boundary set by the law, the eschatological people have assumed a new corporate identity.7 And since there is now “no distinction” between Jew and Gentile (1:16–17; 2:11; 10:12; etc.),8 Paul endeavors in Romans to expound the ethical and social expression of this new corporate entity. Pursuant to this end, the letter’s opening paragraph (1:1–7) draws upon concepts evocative of Israel’s relationship to Yahweh and applies them to all the Romans, the κλητοί of Jesus Christ.9 The pivotal point of the introduction is v. You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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