We have seen, in previous posts, that the term “gospel” was conceived ages ago in the Old Testament, specifically originating in Genesis 3:15 in which the prophetic term “seed” becomes a prominent biblical concept as a prophetic reference to the Messiah (Galatians 3:16). We have also seen previously that the term “gospel” was given a broader understanding as it was conceived in the context of the announcement of a victor in a battle which brings salvation and security to the people by the crushing defeat of an enemy.
In this post we will suggest, for the purpose of maintaining a broader understanding of the term, “gospel,” that there is no better place to prepare a birthplace for the term “gospel” than in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul uses the term “gospel” five times in the first two chapters, and four more times in the last two chapters; 9 times to begin and end the letter, and 11 times total in 16 chapters. Both the beginning and the end of the letter is heavy laden with the term, “gospel.”
We've also seen previously that not only is the term “gospel” pregnant with meaning, but with Paul's abundant usage of the term “gospel” in the letter to the Romans, we now see also that the letter itself, is pregnant with meaning. It is an easy conclusion to draw from Paul's abundant usage of the term “gospel” that it is an important term in the makeup of his worldview and self-identification.
For lack of a better phrase, (and to mix metaphors), the term "gospel" seems to be Paul's baby. So, let's take baby steps as we move forward in our discussion of this term “gospel.”
This post is simply dedicated to presenting the idea that, in our attempt at discovering a more robust meaning of the term "gospel," we will use Paul's letter to the Romans as a starting point, a manger, so to speak in which the term is layed.
We will eventually find a way in the manger to discover that this term "gospel" is wrapped in its Old Testament historical context as it lay in the Romans’ manger.
But first, a cursory look at Paul’s usage of the term “gospel” in his letter to the Romans indicates that the term “gospel” is used to describe Paul’s self-identification. The gospel is something for which Paul was set apart (1:1); something he serves (1:9, 15:16, 15:19); something he preaches (1:15, 15:20); something of which he is not ashamed (1:16); something by which he orients his life (2:16, 16:25); something to be obeyed (10:16); and something that explains his history (11:28).
And (to thoroughly mix metaphors) there is no need here to induce any further labor in our attempt to discover Paul’s understanding of the term in Romans. As if in the pangs of childbirth, Paul, uses the term “gospel” throughout his letter without a clear definition of the term, but finally and clearly, in 16:20 he delivers the term in its historical Old Testament context of Genesis 3:15 and reveals that he is aware of the immaculate conception of the term “gospel” in the Old Testament.
In Romans 16:20, Paul clearly has the Old Testament context and background of Genesis 3:15 in mind for his usage here. Compare the two verses below:
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16:20
The term "gospel" conceived in Genesis 3:15 is given birth in Romans and layed back into in its original historical Old Testament context here in the manger, so to speak of this letter.
In my next blog, we will embark on Finding A Way in the Manger To Discover The Gospel.
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