Paul’s use of Quotations in Romans 1–11: Methodological Considerations

The letter to the Romans is imbued with quotations from the Jewish Scriptures. What is worth noting is the fact that these quotations appear to be coupled with their respective rhetorical questions that Paul deliberately posed at significant points in the course of his argumentation. In other words, the appropriate analysis of Paul’s use of quotations can play a pivotal role in understanding what he wanted to communicate in this letter. This article deals with two distinct approaches to Paul’s use of quotations in Pauline studies: One is relatively author-centred (Steyn); the other is relatively reader-centred (Stanley). Speech-act theory helps us to understand that such methodological considerations on Paul’s use of quotations are preliminary to understanding Paul’s gospel.