Recent research in biblical studies has provided us with a good understanding on the socioeconomic condition of Christians in ancient Rome. The comparable economic and social situations between the earliest church in Rome and the poor in the Global South today suggest that Paul’s letter to the Romans can be very relevant to holistic mission. Based on some key findings of the recent research, this paper looks at two passages in Romans, and proposes that practising love and following Christ are the outworking of the holistic gospel. The implication is that Romans can be a useful resource for holistic mission.
GreenJ (2007) 1 Peter. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
14.
GroganGW (2008) Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
15.
HorsleyRA (ed.) (2004) Paul and the Roman Imperial Order. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press.
16.
JeffersJS (1991) Conflicts at Rome. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
17.
JewettR (2007) Romans: A Commentary. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
18.
LongeneckerBW (2010) Remember the Poor. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
19.
MartinD (2001) Review Essay: Justin J. Meggitt, Paul, Poverty and Survival. Journal for the Study of the New Testament84: 51–64.
20.
MeggittJJ (1998) Paul, Poverty and Survival. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
21.
MeggittJJ (2001) Responses to Martin and Theissen. Journal for the Study of the New Testament84: 85–94.
22.
MooD (1996) The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
23.
OakesP (2004) Constructing Poverty Scales for Graeco-Roman Society: A Response to Steven Friesen’s ‘Poverty in Pauline Studies’. Journal for the Study of the New Testament26: 367–371.
24.
OakesP (2009) Reading Romans in Pompeii. London: SPCK.
25.
ReasonerM (1999) The Strong and the Weak: Romans 14.1–15.13 in Context. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
26.
SchmidtTE (1993) Riches and Poverty. In: HawthorneGFMartinRPReidDG (eds.) Dictionary of Paul and his Letters. Leicester: IVP, 826–827.
27.
SilvaDA (2000) Ruler Cult. In: EvansCAPorterSE (eds.) Dictionary of New Testament background. Leicester: IVP, 1027–1028.
28.
TheissenG (2001) The Social Structure of Pauline Communities: Some Critical Remarks on J. J. Meggitt, Paul, Poverty and Survival. Journal for the Study of the New Testament84: 65–84.
29.
TheissenG (2003) Social Conflicts in the Corinthian Community: Further Remarks on J. J. Meggitt, Paul, Poverty and Survival. Journal for the Study of the New Testament25: 371–391.
30.
ThiseltonAC (2000) The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
31.
WrightNT (2000) The Letter to the Romans. In KeckL E (ed.): The New Interpreter’s Bible (vol. X). Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 744.
