Ethnic Differentiations in Sin? Mapping Jewish Sin in Romans

Are gentile and Jewish sin in Romans differentiated, so that chs. 9–11 are set apart from how Paul speaks of sin earlier in the epistle? Stephen L. Young has argued just that, and this article critically addresses his position, which is exaggerated and overlooks the textual habitat of the scriptural evidence used in Rom. 9–11. Cognitive sins are found among both gentiles and Jews. Paul’s eschatological framework enhances moral decline in general and is not susceptible to ethnic diversity. Rom. 1.18–3.20 and 9–11 are entangled in a complex web of terms and motifs. The past sins of Israel in Scripture are blended with experiences from Paul’s present mission.