Paul follows the Aramaic term abba
with the Greek term for father
because
he records a known utterance for calling out to God in devotion and worship; or
he wants to make clear what the Aramaic term
abba
means.
Most likely, the phrase Αββα ὁ πατήρ (Abba! Father!
) was a single utterance used to signal devotion and worship to God. We can detect this because the same utterance is recorded elsewhere in the New Testament. In particular, Mark records Jesus calling out to God as Abba! Father!
in Mark 14:36 when he was in the garden of Gethsemane just prior to his arrest. Further, Paul records the same phrase in Galatians 4:6 when he explains to the Galatians that through the Holy Spirit, believers cry, Abba! Father!
Further, the rhythm of repeating terms signals a certain level of devotion and importance, as evidenced when people sing Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
so it is fitting that the Holy Spirit would prompt such a repetitive phrase.
Some contend that the reason Paul writes Abba! Father!
in Romans 8:15 is that it was well known that Jesus referred to God with the Aramaic term Αββα, which means father,
and then he includes the Greek translation of father
for his Greek speaking audience, which is ὁ πατήρ. The idea here is that the term Αββα was a uniquely familial term, so it was important to point out what the term meant in Greek so that Paul’s audience in Rome could understand that by crying to God as Αββα, we cry to him as father.
The problem is that there would have been enough people in the church at Rome to know that Αββα means ὁ πατήρ. For Paul includes many statements and explanations in the letter to the Romans that assume some knowledge of Jewish customs, laws, and theology. This implies that there was likely many Jewish Christians in Rome. Thus, there were many in the Roman church who would know that Αββα means ὁ πατήρ, and these could easily explain this to any Gentile Christian who may have been unaware. Thus, it is unlikely that Paul would translate the transliteration of Αββα into Greek.
In the end, the phrase Abba! Father!
is a single utterance of reverence, prompted by the Holy Spirit, that signals devotion and worship.
Interpretation 1:
Paul records a known utterance for calling out to God in devotion and worship.
Summary:
Paul explains that the Holy Spirit leads believers to devout worship of God through prayer, which is expressed by a phrase that repeats the object of devotion. This repetition is due to the joy of rhythm in repeating the name of God, as one might do when one expresses praise.
The Holy Spirit prompts us in our inner being to cry out to God with fervency and joy. God is our hearts’ delight, our defender and protector, our Abba, Father.
Advocates:
James Dunn
Arguments
Possible weaknesses
Interpretation 2:
Paul wants to make clear what the Aramaic term Αββα means.
Summary:
It was widely known that Jesus used the term Aramaic term, which Paul transliterated as Αββα, to refer to God, which is a term of intimate familial relations. To make clear what Αββα means, Paul immediately translates it into Greek with the term ὁ πατήρ (father
).
Advocates:
Frank Thielman
Arguments
Possible weaknesses
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”