Paul’s Emotional Ethics Against the Emotional Ethics of Imperial Society - A Study of Romans 12:14-15

Key Points

• The aim is to examine the historical significance and ethical radicalism of Romans 12:14-15 by reconstructing Paul's empathetic exhortations within their social and cultural context.
• Reviewed interpretations of Romans 12:14-15 from multiple existing studies.
• Analyzed the discourse intensity of Paul's vocabulary in Romans 12:14.
• Considered the hierarchical power structures of first-century Roman urban society.
• Explored the implications of empathy beyond individual ethics to social practice.
• Paul's exhortation is interpreted as a criticism of the dominant emotional norms of imperial society.
• The command to empathize ('rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep') fosters a distinct community identity.
• The analysis reveals how communal bonds can be strengthened through shared suffering in times of persecution.

Abstract