Noah as a New Adam in the Narrative Substructure of Romans 5:12–21

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study demonstrates the thematic coherence of the Adam and Christ story in Rom 5:12–21 with the story of Noah in Genesis 6–9 LXX. The Adam and Christ story in Romans 5:12–21 is characterized by motifs such as: (1) the “reign” of grace/death; (2) grace at work for the sake of many; and (3) the single act of one person who functions as a representative head. But where do these motifs come from and how do they hang together as Paul portrays them? The search for an underlying narrative or subtext has been called a “wild goose chase.” This study suggests that the likeliest source for Paul’s narrative theology in this section is the story of Noah and the ark as found in the Genesis 6–9 LXX.