Actually, Cranfield sees "Gentiles" as "Gentile Christians". He notes the
parallels of v.15 with Jer. 31:31 (LXX), and concludes:
"although they have not been brought up by virtue of their birth in the
possession of God's law (like Jews), they now know it and actually have in
their hearts the earnest desire to obey it."
J. D. G. Dunn sees the book of Romans arising out of a conflict between Jewish
Christians and Gentile Christians, but he rejects Cranfield's views here,
although I think they would help his case: Paul may be trying to explain to his
Jewish Christian bretheren why Gentile Christians are not "second-class"
citizens.
Anyway, thanks to Carl for his thoughts, and I look forward to hearing from
others. (I will shut up for now.)
Marty Brownfield
mbrownfield@vantek.net or mpbrownf@fedex.com
http://www.vantek.net/pages/mbrownfield