Sermon Tone Analysis

Paul’s Sworn Love for Israel

I am telling the truth

I am not lying

My conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit

Why is Paul being so intense in his affirmation of love for his people Israel?

There is a mixed community in Rome with the Jewish element being the smaller in number.

Paul’s comments about the Jews previously could easily be misunderstood and used as fodder to incite bias and hate.

rom 2 1-

Paul is now reassuring the church that he is a Jew and loves his people according to the flesh.

Paul is also about to say some things that are very difficult to hear and that is especially the case for the Jew.

The prepositional phrase ἐν Χριστῷ (en Christō, in Christ) modifies the verb λέγω (legō, I say) rather than the noun ἀλήθειαν (alētheian, truth; so Cranfield 1979: 451) and denotes that Paul says these words under Christ’s control

Paul’s truthfulness is certified in the Holy Spirit and is therefore, infallible.

In this instance his conscience has been informed by and is under the control of the Holy Spirit, so the Roman readers can be assured of the truthfulness of his assertion (so Lohse 2003: 265).

Paul does this elsewhere:

What is Paul not lying about?

Indeed, Paul’s lamentation is reminiscent of the OT prophets who expressed grief over the sin and exile of their people

Think about Moses’ intercession for Israel.

Think about the OT prophets’ concern for Israel

Paul uses two expressions to describe his emotions:

λύπη μοί ἐστιν μεγάλη

My grief is great: great grief.

ἀδιάλειπτος ὀδύνη

Continual distress, pain.

Paul Follows Moses

The expression ἀπὸ τοῦ Χριστοῦ (apo tou Christou, from Christ) that follows ἀνάθεμα indicates that separation from Christ is intended.

The verb should be interpreted to say that “I could wish to be cursed from Christ if that were possible, but of course such a wish is impossible.

Even though this is an impossible wish, it does not take away from the weightiness of the expression.

This word accursed is anathema.

It also appears here:

Privilege is Good

Israel is privileged because they were adopted as sons.

The experienced God’s glory first hand

The were the recipients of the covenant

They were given the law

They were given the temple service

They were given the promises

These all belong to the fathers

From them came the Christ