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Rom 6:1 is often described as an "antinomian" objection, but it is really a legalist's objection. Paul does not perceive an antinomian opponent; he expects that HE will be perceived as an antinomian.
One can imagine it coming from the Pharisees: You overturn Torah, and the world is thrown into chaos. But one can also imagine it coming from the Romans: You say that NOMOS increases transgression, but we've proven that NOMOS brings security, peace, and SOTERIA Ethe new golden age. If you overturn Roman NOMOS/LEX and Roman DIKE/JUSTITIA, there is nothing to keep the world together.
These Roman objections are not outside Paul's purpose in Romans. He is writing a letter proclaiming the justice of God, the revelation of God's righteousness, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. That challenges some Jewish thinking about righteousness, but it is equally a challenge to Roman wisdom about social order.
Paul's response is not calculated to reassure legalists. He wants to glue the world together with water, an invisible, crucified and purportedly risen Lord, and an invisible Spirit.
In short: Justice, not just justification, is by faith.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Saturday, July 10, 2004 at 02:43 PM
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