Paul's Letter to the Romans (Socio-Rhetorical Commentary | SRC)

by Ben Witherington III; Darlene Hyatt

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2004

Overview

Most modern exegesis on Paul’s letter to the Romans has been overwhelmingly shaped by the Reformed tradition, having been filtered through Luther, Calvin, and others. Through a careful survey of work on Romans by both ancient Church Fathers and modern exegetical scholars, 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 commentary on Romans 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. Darlene Hyatt, a graduate student at Asbury Theological Seminary, assisted Witherington by providing some of the application materials for this commentary.

Praise for the Print Edition

Ben Witherington is one of the most outstanding New Testament scholars of our generation, and in this commentary on Romans he brings his usual breadth of knowledge and reverence to the text. Scholars will appreciate the fresh analysis and rhetorical insights, while the work’s clear language and sensitivity to Paul’s message make it ideal for general readers desiring a readable commentary.

—Craig S. Keener, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Ben Witherington’s sensible, clearly written commentary is based on a sound knowledge of the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman discourses of which Paul’s letter to the Romans was a part, yet it also makes a point of addressing issues and concerns pertinent to twenty-first-century Christian life and faith. This volume should prove a valuable resource for students and preachers alike.

—Christopher Bryan, The University of the South

Product Details

• Title: Paul's Letter to the Romans
• Author: Ben Witherington, III
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 423

Contents

Top Highlights

“In Paul’s view homosexual behavior flows naturally from idolatry in that it is a rejection of the creation order that the Creator God set up in the first place.²⁷ ‘For him it is a way in which human beings refuse to acknowledge the manifestation of God’s activity in creation.’” (Page 69)

“The art of persuasion had to be pursued differently in a letter written to those who were not Paul’s converts and thus not inherently under his authority, compared to letters written to those who were Paul’s converts and who recognized that they were.” (Page 2)

“It is possible that in such a situation Paul wanted to tell believers not how they became Christians in the first place but rather how God always had a plan to get believers to the finish line, working all things together for good, showing them how they will be able to persevere through whatever trials they may face along the way. In Christ they have a glorious destiny, and, Paul will go on to stress, no outside power, circumstance, degree of suffering, or temptation can rip them out of the firm grip that God has on their lives. He is working things together for good in every stage of the salvation process. The end or destiny of believers is to become fully Christ-like, even in their bodily form.” (Pages 228–229)

“In sum, Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles is primarily addressing Gentile Christians in Rome, although he is happy for Jewish Christians to overhear this conversation. It is Gentile Christians in Rome that he feels mainly need exhorting, and it is Gentile Christians in Rome he feels he has some claim on, since he is the apostle to the Gentiles.” (Page 8)

Product Details

• Title: Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary
• Authors: Ben Witherington III, Darlene Hyatt
• Series: Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Series
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2004
• Logos Release Date: 2008
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. Romans › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Romans › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. Romans › Socio-rhetorical criticism
• ISBNs: 9780802845047, 0802845045
• Resource ID: LLS:SORHET66RO
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-31T00:00:44Z