Faith …love…hope: this, along with
5, 8
, is the earliest mention in Christian literature of the three “theological virtues” (see 1 Cor 13, 13
). The order here stresses eschatological hope, in line with the letter's emphasis on the Lord's second, triumphal coming,
or parousia (
10; 2, 12.19; 3, 13; 4, 13–5, 11; 5, 23
).
Imitators: the Pauline theme of “imitation” (see 2, 14; 1 Cor 4, 16; 11, 1; 2 Thes 3, 9
) is rooted in Paul's view of solidarity in Christ through sharing in Jesus' cross and in the Spirit of the risen Lord.
1, 1 :
On the address, see the note on Rom 1, 1–7 .
1, 3 :
Faith …love…hope: this, along with 5, 8 , is the earliest mention in Christian literature of the three “theological virtues” (see 1 Cor 13, 13 ). The order here stresses eschatological hope, in line with the letter's emphasis on the Lord's second, triumphal coming, or parousia ( 10; 2, 12.19; 3, 13; 4, 13–5, 11; 5, 23 ).
1, 6 :
Imitators: the Pauline theme of “imitation” (see 2, 14; 1 Cor 4, 16; 11, 1; 2 Thes 3, 9 ) is rooted in Paul's view of solidarity in Christ through sharing in Jesus' cross and in the Spirit of the risen Lord.