Priest—Sacrifice—Life As Worship: A Pauline Matrix For Understanding Romans -- By: William A. Simmons
Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 172:685 (Jan 2015)
Article: Priest—Sacrifice—Life As Worship: A Pauline Matrix For Understanding Romans
Author: William A. Simmons
BSac 172:685 (January-March 2015) p. 85
Priest—Sacrifice—Life As Worship:
A Pauline Matrix For Understanding Romans
William A. Simmons is Professor of New Testament Studies and Greek at Lee University, School of Religion, Cleveland, Tennessee.
Abstract
Despite the importance of Paul’s apostleship, in his Epistle to the Romans, arguably his most theologically significant work, Paul referred to himself as an apostle only twice: once in the salutation (1:1) and again when he specifically addressed Gentiles (11:13). Rather than peppering his letter with authoritative apostolic terms, Paul frequently used the language and imagery of temple, sacrifice, and priesthood. This engendered a “priest—sacrifice—life as worship” matrix1 that informs much of what he wrote in Romans. He employed priestly and sacrificial imagery to advance his law-free gospel to the Gentiles, and the accumulated weight of his liturgical language in Romans comes to rest on the phrase “the sacrifice of the Gentiles” (15:16).
Introduction And Overview
Paul quickly began employing cultic language in his letter to the Romans. In 1:8-11 he offered thanks (εὐχαριστῶ) as he served as a priest (λατρεύω) continually (ἀδιαλείπτως) holding up the Roman Christians in intercessory prayer (μνείαν ὑμῶν ποιοῦμαι πάντοτε ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου). His hope was to “impart” (μεταδῶ) some spiritual gift to them (τι μεταδῶ χάρισμα ὑμῖν πνευματικὸν). The purpose of this priestly intercession and nurture was that he might have “some fruit” among the Romans as
BSac 172:685 (January-March 2015) p. 86
he had among other Gentiles (1:13). Thus in his initial contact with this important church (1:8), Paul elected to present himself as the sacerdotal model for the believers in Rome to emulate. He then moved on to establish the Christological foundation for his priest—sacrifice—life as worship model in 6:1-19. Here the faith union of believers with Christ (vv. 1-6) simultaneously draws them into the realm of the h...
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