Paul's Gospel in Romans: Vertical, Horizontal, and Cosmic Dimensions

by Jarvis J. Williams

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2026

Overview

In this book, Jarvis J. Williams argues that Paul’s gospel in Romans is the announcement of good news that by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, God has fulfilled all his redemptive promises for Jews, Gentiles, and the world. He further argues that Paul’s gospel has at least three dimensions: vertical, horizontal, and cosmic.

Williams explains that the starting point for Paul’s gospel is Christ’s cross and resurrection. The vertical dimension refers to the saving benefits Jews and Gentiles receive from God through faith in Jesus, including justification by faith, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the salvation of all the elect within Israel. The horizontal aspect relates to individual and relational transformation of those in Christ. Through the Spirit, God transforms those who have died with Christ to live a righteous life in the power of the resurrection, which enables both unity between Jews and Gentiles in Christ and their love for their neighbors. The cosmic component relates to the liberation of the entire creation from its slavery to sin’s power. This liberation includes a bodily resurrection, the transformation of the current universe, and a future inheritance of a new creation for all Jews and Gentiles whom God has redeemed in Christ.

This fresh articulation and defense of Pauline theology from an evangelical perspective will be useful for seminary students, scholars, pastors, and study groups.

From the Back Cover

”Examines the vast scope of salvation in all its rich dimensions"

This book defines the message of the gospel in Paul’s Letter to the Romans while correcting mistaken views and theology.

“An amazing exposition of Paul’s Letter to the Romans that examines the vast scope of salvation in all its rich dimensions: vertical, horizontal, and cosmic. This book will leave readers with a bigger and better vision of Paul’s gospel and of the God of the gospel."
--Michael F. Bird, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia

"This introduction to the chief theological themes of Romans manages to be clear, concise, practical, and engaged with the most recent scholarship all at once! It would be a great choice for college, seminary, and church classes on Romans."
--Frank Thielman, Beeson Divinity School

"Williams hammers at the text of Romans to uncover the gospel, reminding us of its centrality. He also shows that the gospel has several dimensions: It is vertical, horizontal, and cosmic.
An important book."
--Thomas R. Schreiner, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Overcoming the false choices of ‘atonement models,’ Williams traces beautifully the integral vectors of Christ’s saving work. Erudite, to be sure, but deeply edifying."
--Michael Horton, Westminster Seminary California

"No subject could be more crucial than the gospel, and no body of literature is better suited to its illumination than Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. This book eschews narrow understandings of the gospel and its effects. A welcome corrective."
--Stephen Westerholm, McMaster University (emeritus)

"A helpful and accessible book on Romans. It skillfully engages the most recent research on Paul while landing in a place that is pastorally wise and devotionally satisfying."
--Gregory R. Lanier, Reformed Theological Seminary

Contents

Introduction: What Is the Gospel According to Paul?
1. The Resurrection and the Cross as the Foundation of Paul’s Gospel in Romans
2. Paul’s Vertical Gospel in Romans
3. Paul’s Horizontal Gospel in Romans
4. Paul’s Cosmic Gospel in Romans
Conclusion: So, What Now?
Indexes

Product Details

• Title: Paul’s Gospel in Romans: Vertical, Horizontal, and Cosmic Dimensions
• Author: Jarvis J. Williams
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2026
• Logos Release Date: 2026
• Pages: 168
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. Romans › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. Romans › Theology
• ISBNs: 9781493453641, 9781493453658, 1540963292, 1493453645, 9781540963291, 9781540970176, 1493453653, 1540970175
• Resource ID: LLS:9781493453641
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2026-03-24T16:05:41Z

About Jarvis J. Williams

Jarvis J. Williams is an Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He’s published numerous academic monographs and scholarly articles and essays on Paul’s soteriology (broadly defined) in Romans and Galatians in its Second Temple Jewish context. Williams’s research focuses on soteriology in Second Temple Judaism, the Second Temple context of Paul’s soteriology, and Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians. He’s a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.