Digital Logos Edition
This is not your average commentary. Along with finding astonishing insight into the Bible, you’ll be surprised at what you don’t read in these pages. You won’t find yourself laboring through difficult theological terms and language. Although the academically-minded will find this verse-by-verse study comprehensive, precise and insightful, the commentary is written as an in-depth study tool for pastors, missionaries and Christians young and old. Of all of Paul’s letters, Romans contains the most thorough explanation of his beliefs. Why? Paul wanted to teach in the churches of Rome and have their support as he started planting churches in the western part of the Mediterranean. Before that could happen, the church leaders of Rome needed to know more than Paul’s reputation; they needed to be convinced his doctrine was sound.
“In verses 5–8 Paul uses first person singular and plural pronouns (I, my, we, our) because he is speaking from the perspective of a Jew.” (Page 37)
“He didn’t become God’s Son at His resurrection, His sonship was revealed by the resurrection.” (Page 14)
“He wants his readers to understand that Jesus Christ is not the founder of a new religion. He is the Savior for whom Israel had been waiting for millennia. He is the Messiah whom God the Father promised over and over again through the prophets. Christian believers in Rome needed to realize that the One who called Paul, and set him apart as an apostle, was none other than the long-awaited fulfillment of the ‘gospel of God,’ the Hope of Israel.” (Page 13)
“His first attitude is contained in the statement, ‘Paul, a slave (doulos) of the Messiah Jesus.’ With these few words he tells us he has abandoned his rights and given over all control of his life in order to serve Jesus. He has fully surrendered himself—his self-protection, personal comfort, daily agenda, finances and more—to do everything in his power to spread the gospel.” (Page 11)
“God didn’t make Paul His slave; Paul made Paul God’s slave. When Paul was converted God immediately viewed him as His adopted son since he was joined to Christ (Ro 8:15–17; Gal 3:26), but Paul chose to live for God as though he were His slave.” (Page 11)