A Brilliant New Commentary on Romans

Last updated on: January 6, 2021 at 10:39 am by Frank Viola

A Brilliant New Commentary on Romans 2021-01-06T10:39:51-04:00 Frank Viola

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Earlier this year (2016), Richard Longenecker published his long-anticipated commentary on Romans. The Epistle to the Romans (New International Greek Testament Commentary).

The commentary is a titanic coming in at 1,140 pages total.

His primary interlockers are C.K. Barret, C.E.B Cranfield, James D. G. Dunn, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Robert Jewett, Ernst Käsemann, Douglas J. Moo, Arthur C. Headlam, William Sanday, and a host of others.

(Scholars enjoy sparring with other scholars. Unfortunately, most of them ignore the insights of those who aren’t part of the scholarly guild. For this reason, they miss many important insights and discoveries made by spiritually gifted prophets, teachers, and apostles in the body of Christ.)

Longenecker regularly interacts with the ancient writings, like the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Hellenistic sources, and of course, the Church Fathers. In his critical analysis, he seems to rely on Bruce Metzger’s Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament.

A few highlights.

Longenecker treats the many controversies and difficulties in Romans with class and style. He also addresses them clearly, giving the opinions of others and then offering his own.

I appreciated Longenecker’s take on the “New Perspective” and the phrase, “the works of the law” (362-370). I was refreshed to see that he doesn’t go along with N.T. Wright, James Dunn, E.P. Sanders and the others who believe “the works of the law” only had in view circumcision, Sabbath keeping, and the dietary laws as “boundary” or “identity” markers. I believe this view has too many weaknesses to embrace.

I appreciated that he pointed out that the “yous” — in Romans 8, for instance — are plural. So Paul is speaking to a church, not to individuals. This is something I’ve stressed myself for many years, yet it’s absent from much of scholarly literature.

Also, Longenecker believes Romans 5-8 are the essence and main thrust of Romans. I would agree.

While this is a commentary for academics and scholars, Longenecker has formatted the book in an accessible way.

If you’re a serious student of Romans, this is one of several commentaries you should have on your bookshelf. As an academic work, it’s superb.

Here are some endorsements:

Thomas R. Schreiner
— Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Paul’s letter to the Romans is like Mount Everest in its grandeur and beauty. How fitting it is, then, for one of the deans of New Testament scholarship, Richard Longenecker, to present his interpretation of the letter in this magisterial commentary. All the virtues of Longenecker’s work are evident here: in-depth exegesis, careful evaluation of the literary and historical setting of the letter, and consideration of the letter’s message for readers today. Interpreters of Romans are indebted to Longenecker and will want to consult his work regularly.”

Susan Eastman
— Duke Divinity School
“With characteristic care, thoroughness, and insight, Richard Longenecker delivers what he promises: appreciative interaction with the interpretation of Romans over the centuries; critical, exegetical, and pastorally sensitive analysis of the text; and contextual reflections on this most influential of Paul’s letters in contemporary terms. All serious students of Paul would do well to read this commentary; it will become a standard resource and guide for many years to come.”

Frank J. Matera
— Catholic University of America
“In every generation two or three commentaries on Romans appear that define the discussion for years to come. This commentary by Richard Longenecker is just such a work. It is clearly and judiciously written and comprehensive in scope. In addition to dealing with all of the relevant ancient and modern literature on Romans, it provides a close reading of the Greek text without losing the reader’s attention. Most importantly, it highlights the theological content and continuing importance of Romans for the church today. I enthusiastically recommend Longenecker’s work for those who want to engage Romans seriously on an exegetical and theological level.”

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