The interpretation of Romans 7: 14-25

The aim of the thesis is defined an being the exposition and critical examination of all the major interpretations of Rom. 7:14-25 since 1824. The underlying convictions of the need of an historical perspective and of a comprehensive view are stated. The evaluative principle of coherence is explained. An historical perspective is provided by means of a brief historical survey showing the development of all the major views of the modern period. The British preference for autobiographical-general and the continental preference for rhetorical-general interpretations emerge. In chapters 2-4 all the main autobiographical-general views (pre-Christian, Christian and mediating) are expounded and critically examined. In chapters 5-7 the main non-autobiographical views are similarly treated: these are the rhetorical-general ('moral' and 'existentialist') and Salvation History views. The mediating positions of Kuss and Kertelge, among others, between the rhetorical-general and autobiographical-general views are also examined in this section. In chapter 8 an inquiry into the meaning of 'law' in Rom. 7 is coupled with a commentary on Rom. 7:7-25 and general notes on Rom. 8:1-25. The relevance of Gal. 5: 16-18 for the interpretation of Rom.7:14-25 has become increasingly apparent and a discussion of this point is included. In the conclusion of the thesis attention is drawn to the strengths and weaknesses of the views considered. Reasons are given for rejecting all non-autobiographical interpretations and for preferring the autobiographical-general Christian interpretation. Finally it is shown how this interpretation can be expounded in a way which incorporates the strengths of other interpretations and answers objections which have been levelled against it.