With only a few verbatim citations, more often Paul's creative and generative use of the scriptures consisted of modified citations, conflated citations, and allusions. For Paul, the intent of the author in his scriptural sources was often ignored, and material was often fashioned to suit his own purposes.
That Paul used the Jewish scriptures extensively in support of his theological arguments is widely acknowledged. However, Paul’s extensive use of the scriptures to invent himself is not discussed much.
In addition to the apparent use of chapter 40 of Psalms to create himself and to characterize his work, Paul also drew on other passages in the LXX such as Numbers 12, Jeremiah 1, Joel 2, and portions of Isaiah for the same purpose.
Behold, I come. In the scroll of the book it is written concerning me. (Psalm 40:7)
Psalm 40 (LXX) | Paul |
I announced good news (ευηγγελισάμην), righteousness in the great assembly (εκκλησία). (40:9) | Paul‘s announcement of good news, “the gospel” (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον) --- an unusual form at the time as a singular neuter noun with the article --- was used as Paul’s general, proprietary term for his teachings centered on faith in his JC figure. Paul called his congregations of potential patrons the “assembly of God” (ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ). |
… My lawless deeds overtook me and I was not able to see… (40:12) And he led me from out of the pit of misery, and from the mud of slime. And he stood my feet upon the rock and straightened out my footsteps. (40:2) |
… I was persecuting the assembly of God … But when God … called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me … (Galatians 1:13-16) … and the rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4) |
A sacrifice and offering you wanted not … whole burnt-offerings for sin you did not seek. … but a body you readied to me … (40:6) |
… by works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16) I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me … (Galatians 2:19-20) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? (1 Corinthians 6:15) … so we, the many, are one body in Christ … (Romans 12:5) |
And he put into my mouth a new song, a hymn to our God. Many shall see and shall fear, and shall hope upon the Lord. (40:3) |
God … having given to us the ministry of reconciliation … we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God is beseeching through us. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) (The “us” refers to Paul and his junior partners, see 2 Corinthians 5:12) |
… my God you should not delay. (40:17) |
Behold, I tell to you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye … (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) |
But I am poor and needy, the Lord will be thoughtful of me. (40:17) |
… the present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clad, and are buffeted, and wander homeless … (1 Corinthians 4:11) [Please place your fragrant offering to the Lord in the enclosed envelope] |
robert j
Here’s Paul hard at work finding revelations --- and how the death and resurrection of his JC figure was “seen” (ὤφθη) “according to the scriptures” ----