Because of the high recommendations of some on this list, I have been
reading more of Tom Wright lately, from two books: "Paul for Everyone.
Romans: Part One" (which is laymen style commentary on Romans 1-8), and "The
New Interpreter's Bible," Volume X (Acts, Introduction to Epistolary
Literature, Romans, 1 Corinthians).
Wright defines the phrase, "son of God," as follows:
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Originally a title for Israel (Exodus 4.22) and the Davidic king (Psalm
2.7); also used of ancient angelic figures (Genesis 6.2). By the New
Testament period it was already used as a messianic title, for example in
the Dead Sea Scrolls. There, and when used of Jesus in the gospels (e.g.
Matthew 16.16), it means, or reinforces, 'Messiah', without the later
significance of 'divine'. However, already in Paul the transition to the
fuller meaning (one who was already equal with God and was sent by him to
become human and to become Messiah) is apparent, without loss of the meaning
'Messiah' itself (e.g. Galatians 4.4).
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Good post.
JD
