Abstract
This article explores the relevance and inferences of 'suffering righteousness' in the intertextual references within Romans 4, 5 and 8. The primary objective is to determine the contextual implications of the vindication of the Suffering righteous one. The enquiry probes an analysis of the structural context and the underlying code in intertextual references penaining to suffering righteousness in the Psalms, Isaiah 40-55, Wisdom 2-5 and 3:6 and Macc 7:37-38, and investigates the socio-semiotic relations of references in Romans. The article takes the themes of reconciliation and justification to its logical conclusions. 'Vindication' and 'exaltation' in Romans, fulfil the structure of 'suffering righteousness' founded in the Old Testament and cognate literature. The contextual implications of 'suffering righteousness' expressed in such features as 'justification, vindication, exaltation and glorification' rectify the 'status inconsistencies' of its recipients. The variegated semiotic perspectives exercised above contribute to the polymorphous character of the meaning of the text.
Highlights
Romans 8:28-30 In Rm 8:29 the expression 'image of his Son' is used with an 'ostensive inferential' communicative intention
AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article is to determine how the vindication motif in Rm 8:31-39 modifies the cognitive environment of the reader and achieves relevance thereby
'Showing more'about the servant is Paul's way of practising 'ostensive inferential'[2] communication in Rrn 8:31-39. Both the significance of such possible 'previous contexts' and the new information conveyed by Rm 8:31-39 will merge into the encyclopedic knowledge of the reader
Summary
The purpose of this article is to determine how the vindication motif in Rm 8:31-39 modifies the cognitive environment of the reader and achieves relevance thereby. 'Showing more'about the servant is Paul's way of practising 'ostensive inferential'[2] communication in Rrn 8:31-39 Both the significance of such possible 'previous contexts' and the new information conveyed by Rm 8:31-39 will merge into the encyclopedic knowledge of the reader. Sperber and Wilson (1986:108) term the logical effects and implications relevant to the context of the reader 'contextual effects'[3] and 'contextual implications'[4]. The process which synthesizes old and new information is the process of contextualisation[5] This interpretation includes an analysis of the structural context and the underlying codes in inter-textual references pertaining to suffering righteousness in the Old Testament and cognate literature. The inferences to be drawn logically from the tenets of Justification by faith will result in conclusions articulated by such features as (thanksgiving), (triumph), (dedication), (vindication), to mention only a few
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