The book of Romans can be both straight-forward, as well as deep and complex. It’s no wonder that Peter ascribes some things as hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16). When one can discover somewhat of a “thread” through certain books, it can be easier to comprehend the content found within the scriptures.
OVERVIEW:
Sometimes keywords come in the form of a singular word. Other times, a keyword can morph by way of multiple words and become a key phrase. Such is the case in the book of Romans. Paul uses something called didactic dialectic. In simpler terms, it means he asks a question and follows it up with the answer. The phrase is identified in the text when one sees “what shall we say” or “what then.” This is used nine times throughout seven chapters in the book of Romans.
BACKGROUND:
Paul is addressing the church in Rome within his letter (1:1). Most scholars argue this is among the latter of his letters, with a dating of late 50s AD. As one might expect with the location of Rome, the church was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Rome was known as a booming city in the ancient world; economically, politically, and religiously.
With politics and culture headed in a corrupt direction, Paul wanted to ensure the people had a good grasp of the doctrine contained within the gospel of Christ. By using the phrase, “what then,” he was able to put their theology and mindset on display, followed by a teaching on it. You’ll notice as we go throughout these key phrases, the attachment to Christian principles instituted by Christ and His Apostles.
MARKING:
3:9 – “what then, are we Jews any better off?”
4:1 – “what then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?”
6:1 – “what shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”
6:15 – “what then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?”
7:7 – “what then shall we say? That the law is sin?”
8:31 – “what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
9:14 – “what shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part?”
9:30 – “what shall we say then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith”
11:7 – “what then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened”
APPLICATION:
There are a lot of doctrines and ideas of doctrines floating around the populous of the world. Some are mere trends and will eventually fade out. Others are captivating and toxic. In order to sort truth from the assortment, Paul takes the proposed mentality and puts it on the spotlight. Once in the spotlight, Paul then compares the ideology to what the text says. This holds true to Paul’s teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “test all things, hold fast what is true.” We ought to be truth-seekers, and not merely tradition-holders.
Tyler King