M. D. Hooker, supported by Barrett,
Wedderburn, and Dunn, vigorously argues for an allusion to Adam in Rom.
1:18-32. The suggested evidence includes the following: (1) The passage,
although influenced by the theme and language of Ps. 106:20, clearly reflects the
language of Genesis 1. (2) the statement, “claiming to be wise they become
fools” (1:22), echoes Adam’s temptation in Gen. 3:5-6: To covet wisdom was a
temptation to become like God. (3) The phrase ἤλλαξαν τὴν δόξαν τοῦ ἀφθάρτου
θεοῦ ἐν ὁμοιώματι εἰκόνος φθαρτοῦ ανθρωπου (1:23) may
also contrast Adam in God’s image with Adam after the fall. Since the term ανθρωπος is used in the singular whole the following
words are in the plural, the “likeness of the image of corruptible man” may
denote the image of the fallen man, Adam. Bearing the mage of Adam is clearly
in view at 1 Cor. 15:47-49 where Paul states that believers bore the image of the
man of dust (την εικονα του
χοικου). (Sang-Won (Aaron) Son, Corporate
Elements in Pauline Anthropology: A Study of Selected Terms, Idioms, and
Concepts in the Light of Paul’s Usage and Background [Rome: Pontificio
Instituto Biblico, 2001], 58; the articles by M. D. hooker are “Adam in Romans
1” and “A Further Note on Romans 1,” in From Adam to Christ: Essays on Paul [Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 1990[, 73-85, 86-87)
