Romans (Understanding the Bible Commentary | UBC)
Overview
Romans is a towering epistle and arguably Paul’s most difficult letter to understand and interpret. This volume clearly shows the goodness of God as displayed in his righteousness revealed in Christ for our salvation. Enjoy this edifying journey through the most logical and doctrinally oriented of Paul’s letters.
Top Highlights
“rather, it concerns the work of grace already accomplished on the cross.” (Page 151)
“In the Bible, however, peace is neither the absence of adversity nor a sensation of euphoria. The Hebrew šālôm, normally rendered in the Greek ot by eirēnē, means a condition in which life can best be lived. A review of this common ot word reveals that it seldom refers to a purely inner peace, whether psychological or emotional.” (Page 134)
“§13 Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained (Rom. 5:12–21)” (Page 145)
“The Greek word for access, prosagōgē, carries the solemn sense of being granted an audience with a monarch or afforded unhindered access into God’s presence (cf. Eph. 2:18; 3:12). The verbal form of the word prosagō, for example, occurs numerous times in the lxx with reference to bearing sacrifices to the altar or entering the Holy of Holies. The verbs gained and stand are also instructive. Both are in the perfect tense in the Greek, meaning that their effect began in the past at the point of faith and continues into the present. Moreover, stand carries the sense of something firm and lasting, the opposite of a short-term, fair-weather relationship with God. To stand in grace is to possess a footing and anchor from God which is able to withstand all opposition to the life of faith.” (Page 135)
“Paul, however, makes no appeal to moral principles. He appeals solely to God’s mercy. If Christian morality were simply a deterrence of divine wrath, then it would not be morality at all, for it would not be free. It would simply be some sort of moral ransom rooted in fear. If it were done in hopes of receiving something from God, then it would be manipulative and egocentric. True Christian ethics, on the other hand, are ethics of gratitude. The obedience pleasing to God is characterized by free and willing submission because of God’s prior sacrifice of his Son on our behalf (8:32; 9:16).” (Page 282)
James Edwards . . . has written the commentary I have been looking for: an exposition of the English text of Romans that takes account of the latest scholarship, refuses to duck the tough theological questions that keep popping up in Romans, and communicates in uncluttered English and effective illustrations.
—Critical Review of Books in Religion
- Title: Romans
- Author: James R. Edwards
- Series: Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
- Publisher: Baker
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2012
- Pages: 416
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. Romans › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781441251992, 9780801046155, 1441251995, 0801046157
- Resource ID: LLS:NIBCNT66RO
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-12-12T21:58:47Z