Covenant Renewal and the Consecration of the Gentiles in Romans

In his letter to the Romans, Paul describes the community in Rome as 'holy ones'. This study considers Paul's language in relation to the Old Testament, particularly accounts of the events at Mount Sinai that established the nation of Israel and consecrated its people as God's holy people. Sarah Whittle illustrates how Paul reworks citations from Deuteronomy, Hosea, and Isaiah to incorporate the Gentiles into Israel's covenant-renewal texts. Analysing key passages, she further ties the covenant-making narrative to themes of sacrificed bodies and moral transformation, fulfilment of the Torah, the promises of the fathers, and Paul's priestly ministry. This volume argues that the latter has a climactic function in Paul's letter, overseeing the offering of the Gentiles, who are 'made holy by the holy spirit'. This study will be of interest to scholars of New Testament studies, Pauline theology, and early Christianity.

• Explores the important ethical dimension of the designation of Paul's community as 'holy ones'
• Argues that Paul's priestly ministry as his rationale for writing is rarely given the weight it deserves
• Demonstrates the importance of Deuteronomy as a text that enables the events of Mt Sinai to be re-appropriated for subsequent generations