The Meaning of Ισραήλ (Israel) in Paul with Jason Staples (Key Terms in Pauline Theology: Part 6)
Oct 19, 2022
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Jason Staples, Assistant Teaching Prof. at NC State Univ. & author, discusses the meaning of Ισραήλ (Israel) in Paul with Kevin Grasso. They explore the difference between Israel and Jews in texts like Romans 2:13, Romans 9:19-22, and Romans 11:25-26. They challenge assumptions, analyze Paul's relationship with the prophets, reevaluate interpretations of Romans 2, and discuss Gentile inclusion in Paul's arguments. They emphasize that Israel includes both Jews and Gentiles who've received the Spirit, arguing against supersessionism.
Paul emphasizes the need for a transformation of the heart through the Spirit to fulfill the covenant and achieve true justification.
Paul expands the definition of Israel to include both Jews and non-Jewish Israelites, highlighting the restoration of all 12 tribes.
Paul connects the circumcision of the heart, the Torah on the heart, and the reception of the Holy Spirit as elements of the new covenant for Israel.
Paul presents God as a relational potter, molding vessels based on the response of his people and rejecting the notion of predestination.
Deep dives
The Paradox of Justness
The main problem Paul is trying to solve is how one becomes justified, how one becomes a doer of good. He argues that simply doing the works of the Torah, the specific requirements of the written law, cannot solve the problem of the heart, which is the root of sin and disobedience. Instead, he emphasizes a new heart, a circumcision of the heart, which is accomplished by the Spirit and results in obedience to the Torah. This transformation leads to true justification and the ability to fulfill the covenant, as promised in the New Covenant passage of Jeremiah, Deuteronomy, and Ezekiel. Paul connects this understanding in Romans 2, Romans 8, and explains it further in Romans 9-11.
The Restoration of Israel
Paul deeply grapples with the concept of Israel and the restoration of God's people. He challenges the common assumption that Israel simply refers to the Jews by arguing that Israel is a larger category that includes both Jews and non-Jewish Israelites. He explains that Israelites from the northern kingdom, who are not associated with the southern kingdom of Judah, are also part of Israel. Paul argues that the restoration of Israel, which includes all 12 tribes, is connected to the Messiah. He highlights the expectation of Jewish thinkers for God to restore the entire people of Israel, including the non-Jewish Israelites from the scattered tribes. Paul sees this restoration as crucial for the fulfillment of biblical prophecies. He explores this concept further in his writings, particularly in relation to Jews, Gentiles, and the role of the Messiah.
The Torah Written on the Heart
Paul emphasizes the concept of the Torah being written on the heart, a transformation that enables people to become obedient to the commands of the Torah. He argues that simply observing specific requirements of the written Torah cannot change the heart and lead to complete obedience. Instead, he connects the circumcision of the heart, the Torah on the heart, and the reception of the Holy Spirit. He views these as part of the new covenant promised to Israel. This new heart and the spirit enable individuals to fulfill the Torah in a new and transformative way. This understanding challenges the idea that non-Jews cannot be part of Israel and highlights God's faithfulness to his people.
The Potter and the Clay
Paul employs the imagery of a potter and clay to illustrate God's interactive and relational approach to working with his people. He presents God as a potter molding vessels of wrath and reshaping vessels for different purposes and destinies. This metaphor reflects God's responsiveness to how the clay, representing people, responds to his hand. Paul emphasizes that God's decisions are not unilateral or forced, but rather influenced by the interaction and response of the clay. He rejects the notion of predestination and highlights God's ongoing work of reshaping based on the clay's response. This understanding aligns with the relational and interactive nature of God's covenant with his people.
Israel's Restoration and God's Faithfulness
In this episode, the speaker discusses the concept of Israel's restoration and God's faithfulness throughout history. Drawing on passages from the Hebrew Bible, such as Hosea and Jeremiah, the speaker argues that Israel's disobedience led to their scattering among the nations. However, God remains faithful to his promise and will regather and restore Israel. The speaker emphasizes that Israel's identity is not solely based on genealogy, but also on their allegiance to the God of Israel. This restoration process includes the inclusion of Gentiles who receive the spirit as part of the new covenant restoration. The speaker concludes that Gentiles who receive the spirit are essentially resurrected Israelites who have been redeemed from the nations.
The Messiah and the Identity of Israel
The speaker explores the role of the Messiah in the context of Israel's restoration. They highlight that the Messiah does not change the identity of Israel, but rather restores and raises Israel from the dead, giving them the life promised in the Torah. While physical circumcision was traditionally seen as a defining factor of Israelite identity, the speaker argues that Paul views circumcision of the heart as the key criteria for inclusion in the restored Israel. They emphasize that the Messiah's coming allows for the integration of Gentiles into Israel without the requirement of physical circumcision. The speaker suggests that Paul sees Gentiles receiving the spirit as proof that they are part of the resurrected Israelites who have been redeemed from the nations.
The Inclusion of All Israel
The speaker addresses the concept of the inclusion of all Israel in the context of Gentile inclusion. They argue that Paul's statement in Romans 11:25-26 should be understood as part of a historical restatement of restoration eschatology. Israel experienced partial hardening and scattering among the nations due to their disobedience. However, the fullness of the nations entering into the restored Israel allows for the salvation of all Israel. The speaker explains that this does not imply supersessionism, but rather highlights Paul's view that the promise to Israel extends to the scattered people among the nations. They posit that Paul sees the Gentile church as being grafted into Israel, with all Israel including both Jews and Gentiles who have received the spirit.
In this episode of the Biblical Languages Podcast, Kevin Grasso talks with Dr. Jason Staples about the meaning of Ισραήλ (Israel) in Paul.
Jason Staples is Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at NC State University. He’s the author of two books, The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism, published with Cambridge University Press in 2021, and Paul and the Resurrection of Israel, which will come out next year, also with Cambridge University press. He also has worked in sports media for fifteen years, used to coach football, and does voiceover work to ensure his family can survive, and he will be launching the BiblePod podcast in the next few months.
Kevin and Jason discuss the difference between Ισραήλ (Israel) and Ἰουδαῖος (Jew) and how it relates to difficult texts like Romans 2:13, Romans 9:19-22, and Romans 11:25-26.
Show notes:
- The Idea of Israel in Second Temple Judaism: A New Theory of People, Exile, and Israelite Identity (Cambridge University Press, 2021) - https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/idea-of-israel-in-second-temple-judaism/CB65E50538F8CC4E48C5294FDE445A58
- Paul and the Resurrection of Israel: Jews, Former Gentiles, Israelites (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming 2023)
- Vessels of Wrath and God’s Pathos: Potter/Clay Imagery in Rom 9:20–23 - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/harvard-theological-review/article/vessels-of-wrath-and-gods-pathos-potterclay-imagery-in-rom-92023/10212C0E6F1B7E444E80CB3CDD58D106
- What Do the Gentiles Have to Do with "All Israel"? A Fresh Look at Romans 11:25-27 - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/569543b4bfe87360795306d6/t/5a4d463053450af960807100/1515013716367/12Staples.pdf
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