MIQRA Institute of Biblical Stud

Introduction to Romans - Journey Through The One-Year Bible (My Bridge Radio)
Sepharim 'al ha-miqra’: Books about the Scriptures (Romans)

Hays, R. B. Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul. Yale, 1989 (240 pp.). Although not a commentary per se, Hays has undertaken a very important investigation into the way Paul’s letters are “shaped by complex intertextual relations with Scripture” (xi). It is also an investigation into the way Paul uses Scripture. In other words, Hays is interested in Paul’s hermeneutic–the method Paul uses for interpreting and proclaiming the meaning of Scripture (i.e. for Paul, the Old Testament). A provocative point for discussion throughout the study is whether Paul’s reading results in an interpretation that can be distinguished from the meaning of the Old Testament text in its own context. The study is literary in its orientation and proceeds by examining the features of various passages in which Paul quotes or alludes to the Old Testament, thereby producing an “echo.” Romans receives the lion’s share, but Hays also examines passages from 1-2 Corinthians and Galatians. This is an extremely important study, not least for its careful engagement with the relationship between the testaments.

Moo, D. J. The Epistle to the Romans. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1996 (1012 pp.). A thorough and learned exposition by an evangelical scholar which provides a carefully nuanced yet traditional Protestant interpretation of the letter in dialogue with the so-called “New Perspective” on Paul (see Dunn and Wright below) as well as other views. Moo maintains that the diverse topics of Romans are encompassed within the broad theme “the gospel” and therefore identifies the letter as “Paul’s summary of the gospel that he preaches” (30). He introduces each unit of Romans, explaining its connection to this overarching theme, then progresses through smaller sections with his own woodenly literal translation followed by detailed verse-by-verse exegetical comments. Sprinkled in are three excursuses: “Righteousness” Language in Paul; Paul, “Works of the Law,” and First-Century Judaism; and Paul’s “With Christ” Conception. Moo engages many interpretive dilemmas throughout, including those associated with the textual criticism and the Greek language of Romans, in a way that will not lose non-specialists and always with a view to churchly practice and proclamation. This is a volume no serious student or teacher of Romans can afford to neglect.

Dunn, J. D. G. Romans. 2 vols. WBC. Word, 1988 (976 pp.). Credited with coining the now popular phrase “The New Perspective on Paul,” Dunn is everywhere recognized as a major force in Pauline studies. More specifically, he argues persuasively that Paul’s comments about “works of the law” are not intended to critique a merit-through-works theology, but rather the errant assumption that possession of the law, or notching specific works of the law, are signs of an impassable barrier between the Jew’s membership in the covenant and the pagan’s nonmembership (154-59, 185). In lieu of this, the benefits which accrue to Israel in their possession of the law may also accrue to Gentiles when the law is written on their hearts. In this light, Dunn also goes a long way toward resolving the tension between “Law” and “Gospel” that confounds many modern discussions (100). Of course it requires a commentary to unpack such claims, and Dunn’s is thoroughly researched, carefully presented and richly resourceful. Its value can hardly be overemphasized.

Johnson, L. T. Reading Romans: A Literary and Theological Commentary. RNT. Smyth & Helwys, 2001 (224 pp.). Here is a very clear and considered interpretation of Romans from an important and well-thought Roman Catholic scholar. Protestant readers will appreciate his candor about reading this classic text of Reformation theology. His treatment of justice and the shape of history throughout his exegesis of chapter nine is an especially rich section. Just as rich is his discussion throughout the commentary of the way Paul conceives of salvation in corporate, rather than individual, terms. Somewhat provocative is his decision to speak of Paul’s interpretation as a form of midrash, particularly when Hays argued against this move in his earlier work (Echoes). However, in the content of their claims about Paul’s hermeneutic of intertextuality and echo, Hays and Johnson are quite close. Word choice notwithstanding, Johnson’s commentary is simply very good reading and will pay large dividends as a go-to resource for reflection on Romans.

Schreiner, T. R. Romans. BECNT. Baker, 1998 (919 pp.). Schreiner has provided a well-researched commentary; it is hardly less exhaustive than Dunn’s, while the BECNT format is slightly more to this reviewer’s liking in its decision to combine the exegesis and exposition sections. Particularly helpful is Schreiner’s measured voice alongside the farther-reaching proposals of Dunn and Wright. One may not always agree with Schreiner’s disagreements or qualifications, but it certainly behoves one to hear them out in the context of careful reflection. It is here as well as in his command of the secondary literature that Schreiner’s contribution finds its niche. A knowledge of Greek is of course helpful, but Schreiner’s writing is clear and easy to follow.

Wright, N. T. “The Letter to the Romans.” NIB. Abingdon, 2002 (1011 pp.; 393-770). A progressive contribution from today’s most influential proponent of the “New Perspective” on Paul. Wright, like Moo, gathers up the diverse topics of Romans under a single theme which Wright identifies as “the righteousness of God,” the covenant fidelity of YHWH with Israel through which justice will be restored in his good creation gone awry. Within this scheme, “Paul did not take the message of Jesus the Messiah to the Gentiles out of mere frustration that his fellow Jews had refused it, as a kind of displacement activity, but rather out of the conviction that, if God’s purposes for Israel had indeed now been fulfilled, it was time for the Gentiles to come in” (401-2). This expands the interpretation of Romans well beyond a concern with personal justification to a consideration of how Romans contributes to the canonical narration of God’s activity through Israel to usher in the blessing to all nations prophesied to Abraham. Although each of us will quibble with certain details in Wright’s overall portrait, this Anglican bishop has moved the church and the academy to a greener interpretive pasture that will nourish God’s people with a grander vision of their vocation.