Romans (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentary | AYBC)

by Joseph A. Fitzmyer

Publisher:

Yale University Press

, 2008

Overview

Outside of the Gospels themselves, there is no single Christian document whose influence has been greater than Paul’s epistle to the Romans. Its explosive character has changed lives—Augustine’s, Martin Luther’s, Karl Barth’s, to name a few—and precipitated revolutions.

This full-scale commentary deals with the most important issues of the early Christian church. And it is through the eyes of the apostle Paul, the major figure of this period, that we see dominant motifs and themes, the theological essentials of the Christian faith. Who better than the once pious Jew, converted to the Christian cause, to tell the reader about the early struggles with Judaism, the reluctant yet nurturing mother of this new community of faith?

This volume is aimed primarily at Christians, because the letter to the Romans is a part of their canon of Holy Scripture. But it is equally valuable for all those who have an interest in learning about one of the most important letters ever written by anyone, and in understanding the world-shaking movement of which it was an essential part, and to which it gave powerful impetus.

Key Features

• Offers original translations, including alternative translations, annotations, and variants
• Provides verse-by-verse commentary on the text
• Presents the reader with historical background, including analysis of authorship and dating
• Features an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary literature

Contents

• Introduction (1:1–15)
• Doctrinal Section: God’s Gospel of Jesus Christ Our Lord (1:16–11:36)
  • Through the Gospel the Uprightness of God Is Revealed as Justifying People of Faith (1:16–4:25)
  • The Love of God Further Assures Salvation to Those Justified by Faith (5:1–8:39)
  • This Justification and Salvation through Faith Do Not Contradict God’s Promises to Israel of Old (9:1–11:36)
• Hortatory Section: The Demands of Upright Life in Christ (12:1–15:13)
  • Spirit-Guided Christian Life Must Be Worship Paid to God (12:1–13:14)
  • The Duty of Love Owed by the Strong in the Community to the Weak (14:1–15:13)
• Paul’s Plans, Coming Task, and Request for Prayers (15:14–33)
• Conclusion: Letter of Recommendation for Phoebe and Greetings to Roman Christians (16:1–23)
• Doxology (16:25–27)

Top Highlights

“When human beings enjoy a correct relationship with God, their condition may be one of inner calm and quiet composure, of undisturbed conscience, but the essential thing is the experience of God-given salvation and the hope of glory. Those who are now at peace with God are no longer objects of wrath; for them Christ has removed all wrath. Reconciliation has been provided by God. See 5:10.” (Page 395)

“The peace that Christians experience is derived from being introduced into the sphere of divine favor by Christ, who has, as it were, escorted them into the royal audience-chamber of God’s presence.” (Page 396)

“ God’s promise to Abraham came independently of the law.” (Page 383)

“Abraham’s status of justification before God not only did not depend on his adoption of circumcision, but did not depend even on his observance of the law.” (Page 383)

“Paul realizes that the law could not be the norm of justification, for it would undo the role of faith. The law could not determine who the heirs of the promise would be.” (Page 383)

Product Details

• Title: Romans: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
• Author: Joseph A. Fitzmyer
• Series: Anchor Yale Bible
• Volume: 33
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Print Publication Date: 2008
• Logos Release Date: 2009
• Pages: 832
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Romans › Commentaries
• Resource ID: LLS:ANCHOR66RO
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:07:54Z

About Joseph A. Fitzmyer

Joseph A. Fitzmyer (1920–2016), SJ, was professor emeritus of biblical studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He was a noted scholar of New Testament and Aramaic, and taught at Woodstock College, University of Chicago, Fordham University, and Weston School of Theology. In 1984 he was awarded the Berkitt Medal for Biblical Studies by the British Royal Academy. He was the American member of the Biblical Commission, president of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, and past president of both The Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association. He authored over 20 books, including The Dead Sea Scrolls and Christian Origins, and he was coeditor of the New Jerome Biblical Commentary.