Für den Apostel Paulus identifizieren sich und handeln Menschen nicht von sich aus, sondern sind von ihren Beziehungen geprägt. Samuel D. Ferguson zeigt, wie nach Paulus der Heilige Geist dies erhellt und bezeugt, indem Christen ihr neues Leben in Gemeinschaft und Gotteskindschaft verwirklichen.

Paul's anthropological assumptions influence the rest of his thought, and in this study, Samuel D. Ferguson follows a growing interest in the corporate, non-autonomous nature of his doctrine of humanity. In a further departure from strictly individualistic interpretations, the author explores the bounded and relational aspects of Paul's anthropology. An array of 'relations' ranging from those with the Creator, world, cosmic forces, other persons, and Christ, are shown as impacting human agency, identity, and volition, evidencing what this study terms 'Relational Anthropology.' The work of the Spirit further demonstrates this phenomenon, as texts from Romans 8 and First Corinthians 12 witness to Spirit-wrought relationships that actualize the new life of a believer, including the Spirit-generated relation of sonship and Spirit-sustained relations of interdependence experienced through shared charismata.