Romans The Divine Marriage Volume 1 Chapters 1-8: A Biblical Theological Commentary Second Edition Revised

Why subtitle a commentary on Romans The Divine Marriage? Mainly because the central message of the Bible has to do with the drama of God seeking out a people for himself. The Old Testament described Israel as Gods bride because she was called to a unique personal relationship with her God.However Pauls contention is that national Israels exclusive claim to be the bride no longer stands. The apostles message is that God has created a new covenant with those who believe in his Son and that believing Jews and Gentiles have now become the true bride of God. The Jewish remnant and believing Gentiles both draw from the same divinely-appointed stock as they share the promises given by God to Abraham.The theme of the divine marriage (which is the culmination of the New Exodus) shaped and guided the letters that Paul wrote. This is especially true for the letter to the Romans the letter of the divine marriage.