The Strong and the Weak

This book situates Romans 14.1-15.13 in the context of first-century Roman thought, using the lenses of asceticism (especially vegetarianism), superstition and obligation. It also seeks to situate this section of Romans within the letter as a whole, and concludes by arguing that the section illustrates the theme, or primary topos, of the letter: that Paul, his gospel, and those who follow it are not shameful. Contributions to Romans research surface where this book examines the terms 'strong' and 'weak' in light of their use within Roman social discourse; identifies the Roman social value of obligation throughout the letter as a key element both within Paul's self-understanding and in his ethical teaching; raises previously unrecognized implications of the letter's occasional nature for how we read and use Romans; and traces the topos of not being ashamed through the letter and back to its roots in the LXX.

Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. 'Strong' and 'weak' in Romans: past portraits and significance; 2. Romans 14.1-15.13 refers to an historical situation in Rome; 3. 'Strong' and 'weak' as terms of social status in first-century Rome; 4. 'Strong' and 'weak' eating and drinking patterns; 5. Paul's clues for identifying the abstinence of the 'weak'; 6. The motivation behind the abstinence of the 'weak'; 7. The observance of days in Romans 14.5-6; 8. The identification of day observance in the Roman churches; 9. Superstition in Rome and in Romans 14-15; 10. Obligation: Paul's solution to the controversy; 11. Portraits of the 'strong' and 'weak'; 12. The 'strong' and 'weak' and the topos of Romans; Bibliography; Index of biblical references; Index of early Christian literature; Index of Hellenistic and rabbinic Jewish sources; Index of Greco-Roman sources; Index of authors; Index of subjects.