Social Identity, the Virtues, and the Good Life: A New Approach to Romans 12:1–15:13

Abstract

Romans 12:1–15:13 comprises a recognizable unit in the letter. But existing attempts to describe its distinctiveness focus upon concepts of “ethics” and “paraenesis” which are problematic in a number of respects. This study proposes a new manner of characterizing this section of Romans that integrates social identity theory with notions of the good life and the virtues derived from Aristotle that have staged a powerful resurgence in recent ethical discourse. This integrated approach is then applied to Romans 12:1–15:13 in a general way. From this discussion it emerges that this part of the letter can be interpreted both as Paul's attempt to outline descriptors of the new identity his addressees experience as members of the Christ-movement, especially in relation to agape, and as a vision of the moral life very similar to the Aristotelian interest in the virtues as the means to promote human flourishing.