Interpretations of Rom. 4 have often been subordinated to a single theme from Rom. 3.21-31, such as justification by faith, the inclusion of the Gentiles, or Paul’s demonstration that his gospel is in continuity with the Torah. While there is undeniable merit in these contentions, this article argues that Paul invokes Abraham for multiple purposes in order to answer his interlocutor’s charges against his gospel (Rom. 3.27—4.1). Paul’s argument is multifaceted and cannot be reduced to a single overarching theme. The second half of the article provides an exegesis of the oft-neglected 4.16-25 and argues that Paul crafts a reading of the Abraham story, a reading which is indebted to his prior Christological commitments, which answers the interlocutor’s question from 4.1 as to how Abraham can be the forefather of both Jews and Gentiles.
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