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Question 5

Origen compares Paul’s concern for “no blemishes” in the offering to Old Testament priests inspecting sacrifices; what “blemishes” do you think Paul had in mind across Romans, and how does that confront today’s low expectations about holiness and blamelessness?

Another way to ask: Origen says Paul wanted the Gentiles to have “no blemish,” like a sacrifice inspected by priests. What “blemishes” do you think Paul warns about in Romans, and how does that challenge today’s low standards for holiness?

Direct Answer The transcript doesn’t list specific “blemishes” from earlier chapters, but it clearly frames them as anything that would keep the Gentiles from being “without fault” and “blameless before God.” That confronts low expectations by presenting holiness as necessary for an “acceptable” offering, not optional spiritual improvement.

Support from Transcript:

Origen: priests had to ensure “there were no blemishes…otherwise…not acceptable and pleasing to God.”
“So likewise, Paul wants the Gentiles to be without fault, to be blameless before God.”
The goal: “In this manner, the Gentiles will be acceptable to God as an offering.”
Their acceptability includes being “sanctified by the Holy Spirit,” tying holiness to the Spirit’s work.
Paul says this is why he “sometimes has found it necessary to speak candidly,” implying he addresses real defects that threaten acceptability.

Discussion Follow-ups Even if the transcript doesn’t name the blemishes, what kinds of faults would make a Christian community an unacceptable offering? How does “blameless before God” challenge the idea that ongoing serious sin is normal and expected?

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