In his letters, Paul had always been inspiring, warm, yet serious. In Romans 6:7-23, Paul was rather "different." What's the significance of this passage? -- Chris Punya
I assume you're asking about the significance of Romans 6 in relation to Paul's tone or demeanor, not its theological meaning. I think it is interesting that you are sensitive to the feel a passage or letter may have, because most readers act as though there are no distinctions at all. Yet the Spirit has spoken through human individuals speaking human languages, in human words, against cultural backgrounds, and out of their own personal experiences. This fact in no way invalidates the inspiration of the Bible, yet it is important if we are to get the most out of our Bible study. Would that all Bible readers had more literary sensitivity.
Yes, I think Paul is usually warm and serious--as all of us should aim to be. Yet he is not always this way! There are times he dispenses with the warmth (the introductory section of Galatians), and other times his tone moves from heavy to light (all of which serve the more serious purposes behind his writing). As for Romans 6, I personally do not think Paul is less warm or serious here than in the rest of Romans. Possibly because he is dealing with the biblical mandate to radical change--living by the Spirit instead of by the flesh--we perceive him as more blunt or challenging.
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