Law in Paul's Thought = Das Gesetz bei Paulus (1984 Hübner / Greig, Riches), book (English ed.)

Law in Paul's Thought: A Contribution to the Development of Pauline Theology (1984) is the English edition of Das Gesetz bei Paulus (1978 Hübner), book. Translated from the German by James C.G. Greig, and edited by John K. Riches.

Abstract

Noting a discrepancy in Paul’s presentation of the law in Galatians and Romans, Hubner uses a combination of philological and exegetical evidence to argue that there is a development in Paul’s understanding of the law over time, and consequently, also his theology. In Galatians, Hubner sees Paul presenting the Law as the location of enslavement; thus, to be truly free, the Gentile Galatians must have complete independence from the Mosaic Law. By contrast, in Romans, Hubner sees Paul portraying the Law as the means by which one gains knowledge of his or her own sinfulness. For Hubner, these discrepancies in Paul’s thought are not problematic, but rather exemplify how Paul’s faithfulness to his commission, causes him “to constantly renewed reflection and to ever new approaches to his theology” (60). Though Hubner’s historical reconstructions of the apostle Paul’s life are, as he admits himself, tentative at best, the work should be commended for its close readings of the biblical text and insightful philologically based arguments. – Deborah Forger, University of Michigan

Editions

Published in Edinburgh [Scotland]: T&T Clark, 1984 / 2nd ed. 1986. Reprinted in 2004.

Table of contents

• Prefaces

• Introduction

• 0.1 The Problem

• 0.2 Addendum to Introduction

• Notes

• Chapter 1 Nomos in Galatians

• 1.1 First Approach: Abraham

• 1.2 A Second Line of Approach: The Synod on the Gentile

• 1.3 The Function of the Nomos

• 1.4 Fulfilment of the ‘Whole’ Law

• Notes

• Chapter 2 Nomos in Romans

• 2.1 Abraham and Circumcision in Rom 4

• 2.1.1 The ‘History of Israel’ and Law

• 2.2 The Synod on the Gentile Mission—A Misunderstanding corrected?

• 2.2.1 The Question of the Integrity of Romans

• 2.3 The New Function of the Nomos

• 2.4 The Fulfilment of the Torah

• Notes

• Chapter 3

• 3.1 Boasting and Refraining from Boasting

• 3.1.1 Boasting in Galatians

• 3.1.2 Boasting in 1 and 2 Corinthians

• 3.1.3 Boasting in Romans

• 3. 2 God’s Righteousness and Righteousness

• 3.3 Legem Statuiumus (Rom 3.31)

• 3.3.1 Notes on an Essay by Ferdinand Hahn

• 3.3.2 Notes on Books by E.P. Sanders and H. Raisanen

• Notes

• Bibliography

• Index of Authors

• Index of References