Prologue (1:1-15)
1:1-6 Salutation
This is pretty basic stuff here. Paul introduces himself in good ole' Greco-Roman style. Euengelion ("gospel of God" in verse 1) was used in the Septuagint to refer to Israel's release from exile. His note on Jesus in verses 3 and 4 are important theologically because he notes both the "fleshly" ("descendant of David according to the flesh") and "Divine" ("resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of Holiness [i.e. Holy Spirit]) natures. It would of course be wrong to assume that Jesus wasn't divine until the resurrection. He's just commenting that Jesus was in fact "in the flesh," as opposed to what the early Gnostics might have been saying.
Note that both the terms Gospel and "Son of God" are not uniquely Christian but come from the Roman culture (gospel referring to military victory or the birth of a new king; the Caesars calling themselves the sons of God). Nooma 015 "You" deals exactly with that fact. It's probably the least entertaining of the Noomas, but very educational. You'd like it just as long as you don't go in expecting some powerful metaphor or something.
1:7-15 Introduction
Again, fairly basic stuff. Paul continues general Greco style with a little Christian flare using the phrase "grace and peace" (charis and shalom) as opposed to the simple and not nearly as exciting "mercy" (chaire). His use of the words saint to everyone at Roman would remove any doubt as to the status of Jews and non-Jews. This is a reoccurring theme within the book.
This is pretty basic stuff here. Paul introduces himself in good ole' Greco-Roman style. Euengelion ("gospel of God" in verse 1) was used in the Septuagint to refer to Israel's release from exile. His note on Jesus in verses 3 and 4 are important theologically because he notes both the "fleshly" ("descendant of David according to the flesh") and "Divine" ("resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of Holiness [i.e. Holy Spirit]) natures. It would of course be wrong to assume that Jesus wasn't divine until the resurrection. He's just commenting that Jesus was in fact "in the flesh," as opposed to what the early Gnostics might have been saying.
Note that both the terms Gospel and "Son of God" are not uniquely Christian but come from the Roman culture (gospel referring to military victory or the birth of a new king; the Caesars calling themselves the sons of God). Nooma 015 "You" deals exactly with that fact. It's probably the least entertaining of the Noomas, but very educational. You'd like it just as long as you don't go in expecting some powerful metaphor or something.
1:7-15 Introduction
Again, fairly basic stuff. Paul continues general Greco style with a little Christian flare using the phrase "grace and peace" (charis and shalom) as opposed to the simple and not nearly as exciting "mercy" (chaire). His use of the words saint to everyone at Roman would remove any doubt as to the status of Jews and non-Jews. This is a reoccurring theme within the book.
