Re: Rom 13:8-10

Harry Staiti (a0003192@airmail.net)
Tue, 11 Nov 1997 17:51:14 -0800

Rick Strelan wrote:

> In Rom 13:8-10 it looks like ETERON NOMON is the natural object of the verb
> PEPLHRWKEN, and that one should translate:'The one who loves has fulfilled
> the other law', that is, has fulfilled the 'other which is like unto the
> first table'. The context, which goes on to quote the second table, would
> support that.

I see how combining the thought of 13.10 with its anticeedent in v.8
could bring you to this conclusion, but how are you getting that from
just v.8?

How are you reading the sentence?
"... hO GAR AGAPON TON hETERON, NOMON PEPLhROKE."?
or

"... hO GAR AGAPON TON hETERON NOMON PEPLhROKE."?

Does it make a difference?

> Does anyone know of passages where the second table is described as 'the
> other law'?

The other law being the law of love. See 13.10
"PLhROMA OUN NOMOU h AGAPh"
(Therefore LOVE is the fulfillment of the Law)

This seems to be intended to provoke an ironic truth, for Pauline love
concept is a synonomous concept with Mt 5.43, juxtaposed with the
interpretations of the Jewish religious teachings;
in Jn 13.34 , love is "a new commandment;"
In Col 3.14, it is a love which is "above all things."

Ernst Kasemann understands this love to be addressing in general what 1
Cor 13 addressed directly.

A. J. Wedderburn regards this love to be in reference to the Roman
believers relationship with those of the synagogue.

And James Dunn reminds that here in 13.8-10, the writing of LOVE
reflects the early Church's struggle to define itself. That is, that
those of the "Christian faith" were not searated from the "Jewish
faith." It does seems to place LOVE in context.

Dunn's understanding of the construction is that meaning is still
related to Paul's commitment to the NT ethic of holding together a
satifactory Christian ethic which did not violate 1st century "Judaism."

--
Harry Staiti
a0003192@mail.airmail.net


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--
Harry Staiti
a0003192@mail.airmail.net


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