The Letter To The Romans

Paul was the most influential figure in the early Christian church. In this epistle, written to the founders of the church in Rome, he sets out some of his ideas on the importance of faith in overcoming mankind's innate sinfulness and in obtaining redemption. With an introduction by Ruth Rendell.

In this volume, leading scholars in the study of Romans invite students and nonspecialists to engage this text and thus come to a more complete understanding of both the letter and Paul’s theology. The contributors include interpreters with different understandings of Romans so that readers see a range of interpretations of central issues in the study of the text. Each essay includes a short review of different positions on a topic and an argument for the author’s position, set out in clear, nontechnical terms, making the volume an ideal classroom tool. The contributors are A. Andrew Das, James D. G. Dunn, Victor Paul Furnish, Joel B. Green, A. Katherine Grieb, Caroline Johnson Hodge, L. Ann Jervis, E. Elizabeth Johnson, Sylvia C. Keesmaat, Rodrigo J. Morales, Mark D. Nanos, Jerry L. Sumney, and Francis Watson.

The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

In "Romans", Paul distills the very essence of his faith and belief. He writes to the vanguard of the new Christian faith in the heart of the greatest empire the world had ever known. Paul understood the importance to Rome's fledgling church of a secure foundation from which to launch itself - and this letter was to be that foundation. William Barclay makes Paul's words relevant in today's world, showing us that we are not too different from the Romans to whom this letter was addressed nearly 2000 years ago.

While Paul’s letter to the Romans is the most studied and commented-on document from the biblical period, the major exegetical books on Romans from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have been overwhelmingly shaped by the Reformed tradition. Through a careful survey of work on Romans by both ancient Church Fathers and modern exegetical scholars, Ben Witherington III here argues that the interpretation of Romans since the Reformation has been far too indebted to — and at key points led astray by — Augustinian readings of the text as filtered through Luther, Calvin, and others. In this first full-scale socio-rhetorical commentary on Romans, Witherington gleans fresh insights from reading the text of Paul’s epistle in light of early Jewish theology, the historical situation of Rome in the middle of the first century A.D., and Paul’s own rhetorical concerns. Giving serious consideration to the social and rhetorical background of Romans allows readers to hear Paul on his own terms, not just through the various voices of his later interpreters. Witherington’s groundbreaking work also features a new, clear translation of the Greek text, and each section of the commentary ends with a brief discussion titled “Bridging the Horizons,” which suggests how the ancient text of Romans may speak to us today.

Paul's letter to the Romans, says Nanos, is an example of Jewish correspondence, addressing believers in Jesus who are steeped in Jewish ways-whether of Jewish or gentile origin. Arguing against those who think Paul was an apostate from Judaism, Nanos maintains Paul's continuity with his Jewish heritage. Several key arguments here are: Those addressed in Paul's letter were still an integral part of the Roman synagogue communities. The "weak" are non- Christian Jews, while the "strong" included both Jewish and gentile converts to belief in Jesus. Paul as a practicing devout Jew insists on the rules of behavior for "the righteous gentiles." Christian subordination to authorities (Romans 13:1-7) is intended to enforce submission to leaders of the synagogues, not Roman government officials. Paul behaves in a way to confirm the very Jewish portrait of him in Acts: going first to the synagogues.

For more than twenty years Douglas Moo’s NICNT volume on Romans has been providing pastors, students, and scholars with profound insight into Paul’s most famous letter. In this thorough revision of his commentary, Moo deals with issues that have come into prominence since the first edition (1996), incorporating the latest research and rewriting the text throughout for better comprehension. Exegetically astute and theologically minded, Moo interacts critically with the new perspective on Paul, highlights the emphasis in Romans on “practical divinity,” and traces the theme of the gospel throughout the letter. His Letter to the Romans in this second edition will inform and enlighten a new generation of serious Bible readers.

First-rate scholars and preachers on four interpretive approaches to Paul and Romans Pauline scholarship is a minefield of differing schools of thought. Those who teach or preach on Paul can quickly get lost in the weeds of the various perspectives. How, then, can pastors today best preach Paul’s message? Scot McKnight and Joseph B. Modica have assembled this stellar one-stop guide exploring four major interpretive perspectives on the apostle Paul: Reformational, New, Apocalyptic, and Participationist. First elucidated by a scholarly essay, each perspective is then illuminated by three sermons expositing various passages from Paul’s magisterial letter to the Romans. Coming from such leading figures as Richard Hays, James Dunn, Fleming Rutledge, and Tom Schreiner, these essays and sermons splendidly demonstrate how each perspective on Paul brings valuable insights for preaching on Romans. [Table of Contents] Introduction Interpretive Perspectives on the Apostle Paul 1. Romans and the “Lutheran” Paul: Stephen Westerholm 2. Romans and the New Perspective: Scot McKnight 3. Romans and the Apocalyptic Reading of Paul: Douglas A. Campbell 4. Romans and the Participationist Perspective: Michael J. Gorman Preaching Romans: Sermons Reformational Perspective 5. Romans as Ecclesial Theology: Building Multiethnic Missional Churches: Michael F. Bird 6. God Justifies the Ungodly: Romans 4:1–8: Thomas R. Schreiner 7. The Transforming Reality of Justification by Faith: Romans 5:1–5: Carl R. Trueman New Perspective 8. The Balance of Already/Not Yet: Romans 8:1–17: James D. G. Dunn 9. This Changes Everything: Romans 5:12–21: Tara Beth Leach 10. Pass the Peace by Faith: Romans 4:1–4, 13–17: Scot McKnight Apocalyptic Perspective 11. Immortal Combat: Romans 1:16–17 and 5:12–14: Jason Micheli 12. In Celebration of Full Communion: Romans 3:21–24: Fleming Rutledge 13. Old Adam, New Adam; Old World, New World; Old You, New You: Romans 5:12–21: William H. Willimon Participationist Perspective 14. Death Becomes Her: Romans 6:1–14: Timothy G. Gombis 15. Made New by One Man’s Obedience: Romans 5:12–19: Richard B. Hays 16. Breathing Well: Romans 8:12–30: Suzanne Watts Henderson Conclusion 17. Implications: Joseph B. Modica