The Psalms of Solomon and the Messianic Ethics of Paul

František Ábel explores one of the topical issues of Paul's theology, namely the role and influence of the Jewish Pseudo-epigraphs, literature written during Greek and early Roman periods (4th century BCE to the 2nd century CE), on Paul's theological thinking. Within this corpus the idea of eschatological concepts, such as the concept regarding the coming of the Messiah and the Last Judgment in particular, arises frequently. It is similar in the case of the Psalms of Solomon with the Last Judgment as the main topic of this pseudepigraphon. Through close analysis and exploration of particular parts of this work, the author proposes that this deuterocanonical writing could form a considerable background for the proper understanding of Paul's messianic ethics. From this point of view, Paul's teaching on justification should be understood as one that is reflective of God's grace, while at the same time expressing faith and deeds as necessary for salvation. Cover Preface Contents List of Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1: The Jewish Deuterocanonical Literature in the Context of Second Temple Judaism 1. Judaism of the Second Temple Period: A Brief Characterization 2. Comprehension of the Torah in the Context of Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Era Chapter 2: The Psalms of Solomon and Its Relation to Jewish Messianic Concepts 1. Historical Background and Content 2. The Origin and Development of the Jewish Messianic Concept 3. The Davidic Messianic Conception in the Psalms of Solomon 3.1 The Role of the Judgment of God in the Messianic Concept of the Psalms of Solomon Chapter 3: The Psalms of Solomon and Paul’s Message in the Context of Messianic Ethics 1. The Basic Characteristic of Paul’s Messianic Ethics 2. God’s Justice and Mercy in the Psalms of Solomon and in Paul’s Message 2.1 The Preliminary Statements 2.2 God’s Justice and Mercy – Introduction 2.3 God’s Justice and Mercy in the Psalms of Solomon 2.3.1 Psalms of Solomon 1 2.3.2 Psalms of Solomon 2 2.3.3 Psalms of Solomon 3 2.3.4 Psalms of Solomon 4 2.3.5 Psalms of Solomon 5 2.3.6 Psalms of Solomon 7 2.3.7 Psalms of Solomon 8 2.3.8 Psalms of Solomon 9 2.3.9 Psalms of Solomon 10 2.3.10 Psalms of Solomon 11 2.3.11 Psalms of Solomon 13 2.3.12 Psalms of Solomon 14 2.3.13 Psalms of Solomon 15 2.3.14 Psalms of Solomon 16 2.3.15 Psalms of Solomon 17 2.3.16 Psalms of Solomon 18 2.3.17 Summary 2.4 God’s Justice (Righteousness) and Mercy in Paul’s Message 2.4.1 Paul’s Concept of Justification in the Protestant Theological Context 2.4.2 God’s Justice (Righteousness) and Mercy in Light of the Judgment Passages 2.4.2.1 First and Second Corinthians 2.4.2.2 Galatians 2.4.2.3 Romans 2.4.3 Summary Chapter 4: Paul’s Messianic Ethics Contextualized with the Psalms of Solomon 1. Romans 3:21–26 in the Context of Psalms of Solomon 17–18 1.1 Rom 3:21–26 in the Context of Pss. Sol. 18:5 Conclusion Bibliography Index of Sources A. Hebrew Bible and Septuagint Parallels B. Septuagint C. New Testament D. Apocrypha E. Philo F. Josephus G. Qumran H. Greek and Latin Literary Sources I. Early Christian Literature J. Rabbinic Literature Index of Authors Index of Subjects