Romans 1–8: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
Overview
In November 1515, Martin Luther, Augustinian monk and doctor of sacred theology at the University of Wittenberg, began his expositions of Romans. As he prepared his lectures he came to see more clearly the meaning of Paul’s gospel of justification by faith. The phrase the “righteousness of God” he had once hated as demanding what he could not deliver. Now in his study he came to see righteousness as a gift of God by which a person came to live, by faith. And he felt himself reborn. The consequence of this new insight the world knows. The Protestant Reformation had been born.
Throughout the centuries this Epistle has in a peculiar way been able to furnish an impulse for spiritual renewal. When the church had drifted away from the gospel, a deep study of Romans has repeatedly been the means by which the loss has been recovered. George Lyons and Dr. William Greathouse move verse-by-verse through Romans 1–8 after providing an in-depth introduction.
- The latest scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan tradition
- Convenient introductory material for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and more
- Clear verse-by-verse explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the passage’s original language
- Comprehensive annotation divided into three sections: 1. Background elements behind the text 2. Verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text 3. Significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the text
- Insight into theological issues, word meanings, archaeological connections, historical relevance, cultural customs, and more
- Expanded bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themes
Top Highlights
“The contrast between the two mind-sets, the mind-set (phronēma, ‘disposition’) of the flesh and of the Spirit, which pervades these verses, is to be understood, as in ch 7, as the tension between two competing powers, not two parts of the same self. Paul is not talking about the conflict between two ‘natures’ in the human self. The human problem is that as flesh we are contested territory in the conflict between two powers vying for sovereignty over us. The contest is actually Sin vs. Spirit. However, Sin disguises itself in the attractive guise of its willing host—the Flesh—which is nothing more than humanity serving merely human ends. Deceived by the illusion of self-sovereignty, Flesh has become the host for its malignant slave master, Sin.” (Pages 225–226)
“The assumption of our fallen humanity is, therefore, essential to our sanctification, as the church fathers insisted. Jesus was enabled to resist temptation, not by some immanent conditioning as the Son of God, but by his human obedience through the enablement of the Spirit.” (Page 253)
“First, the christological formula defining the gospel in 1:3–4 stands at the center of orthodox Christian faith.” (Page 46)
“To read the Flesh-Spirit contrast in ch 8 in terms of Greek body-soul dualism is to misunderstand the apostle completely. Paul is not setting at odds earthly vs. divine elements in the human self. Nor is this the rivalry of material vs. spiritual realities. On the contrary, the contest is between two dispositional ‘mind-sets’ the same self may exercise toward the competing sovereigns, Flesh (acting as a proxy for Sin) and Spirit. The mind-set of the Flesh leads to death; and the mind-set of the Spirit leads to life and peace. So inveterate is the disposition of the Flesh, preoccupied as it is with its merely human interests, that it is ‘hostile to God,’ indeed incapable of pleasing God (vv 7–8).” (Page 226)
- Alex Varughese
- Roger Hahn
- George Lyons
- Joseph Coleson
- Robert Branson
- Jim Edlin
- Kent Brower
- Jeanne Serrão
- Title: Romans 1–8: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition
- Authors: George Lyons and William Greathouse
- Series: New Beacon Bible Commentary (NBBC)
- Publisher: Beacon Hill Press
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 288
George Lyons has been Professor of New Testament at Northwest Nazarene since 1991, after teaching 14 years at Olivet Nazarene University. He has also served as a visiting professor at Nazarene Theological Seminary, Point Loma Nazarene University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological College, Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College, and European Nazarene College. He has also taught in China. He is a past president of the Wesleyan Theological Society and a member of the Society of Biblical Literature. He holds degrees from Olivet Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary as well as a Ph.D. from Emory University.
William Greathouse is General Superintendent Emeritus Church of the Nazarene. He has also served as President, Dean of Religion, and Professor at Trevecca Nazarene College. He also served faithfully as the President of Nazarene Theological Seminary. He has authored numerous books and served as a pastor on the Tennessee District. He holds degrees from Lambuth College, Trevecca Nazarene College, and Vanderbilt University.
