Romans 7 and Christian Identity
A Study of the ‘I' in its Literary Context

This book provides a solution to one of the Bible's notorious cruxes, the identity of the speaking 'I' of Romans 7.

Will N. Timmins (Author)

9781316646076, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 August 2019

252 pages, 1 b/w illus.
14 x 21.5 x 1.5 cm, 0.33 kg

'… Timmins's study deserves to be widely read. His argument advances a new and refreshing attempt to identify the speaker of Romans 7 as a Christian. Indeed, among current scholarship it is the finest study available for this position. Future studies of Romans 7 will need to engage this important contribution.' Jason Maston, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

In this book, Will N. Timmins provides a close rereading of Romans 7 within its literary-argumentative context and offers a fresh and compelling solution to the identity of the 'I' in this text. Challenging existing paradigms, which fail to provide both literary coherence and theological plausibility, he develops his own positive theory about the device. Along the way he also re-examines a number of key texts within the letter, which have hitherto not been given due weight within the scholarly discussion. This study offers a fresh and satisfying solution to one of the Bible's most notorious cruxes, and contributes to our understanding of the apostle Paul's thought. It will be of interest to all scholars and students within the fields of biblical studies and Christian theology.

1. Introduction
2. Speech-in-character: a critical assessment
3. Romans 3:7: the singularity and solidarity of 'I'
4. Romans 6:12-19: life in the mortal body
5. Romans 7.7-13: 'I' and Adamic solidarity
6. Romans 7:14-25: 'I' and Christian identity
7. Conclusion
Appendix 1: the first personal singular in Romans.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM], Biblical commentaries [HRCG1], Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], New Testaments [HRCF2], Christianity [HRC]