Reading Romans: A Literary & Theological Commentary

by Luke Timothy Johnson

The Epistle to the Romans is considered to be the classic of Reformation theology. Luke Johnson, a scholar from the Roman Catholic tradition, invests this commentary with breadth of perspective and clarity of expression. He focuses on understanding the key themes and their relationship to the whole of Pauline writings and the shaping of Christianity.

Genres: Theology

260 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Luke Timothy Johnson is an American New Testament scholar and historian of early Christianity. He is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology and a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University.

Johnson's research interests encompass the Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts of early Christianity (particularly moral discourse), Luke-Acts, the Pastoral Epistles, and the Epistle of James.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a brief introduction on the occasion of the letter and other relevant issues, Johnson dives head long into the text. The commentary is very readable, avoids being tedious and is very informative. The reader is given alternative view points and Johnson gives supporting arguments for his side. The best part of Johnson's treatment of the text is that he is a close reader of the text. He is careful not to read in to Romans theological conclusion that were drawn after its composition. Not that Johnson doesn't agree with certain theological principles, he is just doing the work over again. I have enjoyed what I have read so far.

[Timberly Eckelmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on the Letter to the Romans. Exegetical and homiletical insights valuable to any preacher or teacher of this biblical work.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are certain sections where Johnson expresses ideas about Romans that are better than any other. His perspective is unique in many ways and certainly worth consulting.