Romans 15:7-13

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Last Updated: Saturday, 03 March 2018 11:05

Published: Saturday, 03 March 2018 11:03

Written by Wilma Zalabak

1.    What is a common theme found in Paul’s quotations from the Old Testament, verses 9-12. How does this passage summarize Paul’s theme in Romans?

2.    Paul introduces this spate of Old Testament quotes with a mention of God’s mercy, verse 9. Do you find that word in any of the quotations? Do find that word in some of the surrounding words in the Old Testament not quoted by Paul? What might this say about Paul’s intentions in the quotations?

3.    As in verse 9, Paul was specifically chosen by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; 13:47). There was someone else before him specifically chosen bring light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 60:3). Look at Deuteronomy 32:43 for Moses’ confirmation of this.

4.    What joy or excitement comes to you from this text? What questions arise for you out of the reading of this text? What did you learn that was new to you, or a new way of looking at something? What does this text tell you about God and about yourself? About humans in general?

Old Testament References:
15:9    Psalm 18:49-50
15:10    Deuteronomy 32:43
15:11    Psalm 117:1
15:12    Isaiah 11:1

Three rules for Paul’s use of Scripture, from Richard B. Hays, Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul (New Haven, CT: Yale U P, 1989), 190-92.
1.    Must uphold God’s faithfulness to covenant promises to Israel.
2.    Must witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
3.    Must build up the church in the love of God to each other.