Lectionary Year B
June 15, 2003
Trinity Sunday
Romans 8:12-17

Step II: Disposition
A. Genre

(JFC) These lines seem to try to convince recipients of them that they are not to consider themselves in one light but rather in another one. The case is convincingly well made. It contrasts two distinctively different life styles. It makes its position known with some antitheses. It says it is a life or death situation. Half the sentences/verses offer a this-not-that, either-or opportunity and/or explanation of the way things are from the author's perspective. He seems to assume that the hearers/readers of this paragraph know they have been blessed by God. The argument concludes with a definite "if-then" formula that seems as convincing as the whole passage in its entirety.

B. Personal Interaction

(JFC) The consequences of the two choices of living by the flesh or by the spirit seem to be exaggerated. Why does the spirit of slavery get a "fall back into fear"? Does that qualify as the one and only consequence of slavery? Aren't we children of God whether we cry, "Abba, Father"? God chooses us to be such children, even before we can breath, let alone cry, right? And, aren't we heirs and joint heirs whether we suffer? I think so.

C. Organization

(JFC) The consequences of life or death are declared in verse 13. Verse 15 has the "spirit of slavery that falls back in fear". Crying, "Abba, Father" comes in the 15th verse, too. Suffering for the reward of being heirs and joint heirs is in verse 17.



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