Israel, an Anatomy of the World: Microcosmic Contours Between Romans 9–11 and 1–8

Abstract While a near consensus now deems Romans 9–11 integral to the letter rather than peripheral, explanations of how these chapters integrate remain disparate. Apparent links between Rom. 9–11 and 1–8 abound, but no one has yet exposed the underlying congruence between the two sections’ argumentative trajectories. Coordinating divine activity in these letter segments reveals the interpretive value of ‘microcosm’ imagery, an ancient and versatile metaphor that will prove more illuminating than ‘climax’ inter alia for understanding Paul’s presentation of Israel. In Romans, the κόσμος itself is an actor in the text, with Israel serving as its microcosm. Romans 9–11 then portrays God’s actions toward Israel in a microcosmic relation to God’s actions toward the κόσμος in Rom. 1–8. In its disobedience, judgement, and salvation, Israel embodies the anatomy of the world, a layered harmony that may help reconcile warring camps in recent Pauline scholarship.