In Your Mouth and In Your Heart: A Study of Deuteronomy 30: 12–14 in Paul’s Letter to the Romans in Canonical Context

by Colin J. Smothers

Publisher:

Pickwick Publications

, 2022

Overview

Paul’s use of Deuteronomy 30 in Romans 10 has puzzled interpreters and led to many divergent readings. In this book, Smothers argues that what Paul has found in Deuteronomy 30:11-14 is a prophetic promise of righteousness which he declares fulfilled in the gospel of the Lord Jesus, the message of the righteousness of faith. By quoting Deuteronomy 30:12-14 in Romans 10 as the content of the message of the righteousness of faith over against Leviticus 18:5 and the righteousness of the law in Romans 10:5-8, Paul proclaims a promise fulfilled in accord with the original meaning of the text written by Moses in Deuteronomy. More precisely, Paul reads Deuteronomy 30:11-14 as an extension of the reality foretold in Deuteronomy 30:1-10, which points forward to the new covenant experience of faith-empowered obedience, or heart circumcision, which includes the internalization of the word of God--the eschatological torah--by the Spirit of God.

Praise for In Your Mouth and In Your Heart

“Colin Smothers takes on a difficult hermeneutical inquiry, and in the course of this valuable study, he displays considerable interpretive skill, theological acumen, and biblical wisdom. Even those, like myself, who come to slightly different interpretive conclusions will appreciate the clarity and power of this presentation. Read and relish!”

—James M. Hamilton Jr., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary



“With detailed exegesis and careful biblical theology, Smothers argues convincingly that Deut 30:12–14 focuses on the eschatological future in its original context and that Paul in Rom 10 faithfully identifies how Christ and the new covenant fulfills and realizes Moses’s original hopes. . . . This faithful and exceptional evangelical study of the New Testament use of the Old Testament shows the benefits of carefully wrestling with the close, continuing, and complete contexts of Old Testament texts.”

—Jason S. DeRouchie, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary



“Deuteronomy 30 is a key text in determining one’s overall theology. Also central is the way Paul uses this text in Romans. Smothers challenges the consensus with a close and thought-provoking reading of these texts that will benefit greatly all who read and contribute to a robust biblical theology.”

—Peter J. Gentry, Phoenix Seminary

Product Details

• Title: In Your Mouth and In Your Heart: A Study of Deuteronomy 30:12–14 in Paul’s Letter to the Romans in Canonical Context
• Author: Colin J. Smothers
• Publisher: Pickwick Publications
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781666794236, 9781666794229, 1666794228, 9781666736205, 1666736201, 1666794236
• Resource ID: LLS:9781666794236
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-23T08:37:29Z

About the Author

Colin J. Smothers is Adjunct Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky.