Romans for Everyone, Part 1: 20th Anniversary Edition with Study Guide, Chapters 1-8

by N.T. Wright

A renowned Bible scholar opens up the message and meaning of the letter to the Romans for today’s readers. Paul’s letter to the Romans comes alive in N. T. Wright’s updated, reader-friendly translation and insightful commentary. He guides the reader through the world of the New Testament, explaining the ideas and events that shaped Paul’s powerful witness to the gospel. Breaking down Romans into brief, easy-to-study segments, Wright shows how Paul’s account of God’s gracious gift in Christ speaks powerfully to the spiritual longings of contemporary readers. New Christians and longtime followers of Jesus alike will find inspiration and practical wisdom for their journey within these pages. This expanded edition contains Wright’s updated translation of the biblical text, a new introduction and a study guide designed for use in Bible study classes and individual reflection. Helpful summaries and insightful questions assist group leaders, group members and solo learners to encounter chapters 1 through 8 of the letter to the Romans in exciting and enriching new ways.

218 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

N. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.

He also publishes under Tom Wright.

Reviews

[Steve Croft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one completed in the series. As with the others, short, easy to digest (for everyone) but not lacking in NT Wright theological depth. I read alongside M'cheyne bible reading plan and it was manageable. Wright is an amazing writer, theologian, historian, scholar and pastor. He is known for being very verbose, but that doesnt come across in these commentaries. He is also winning me over with his unique (but is it really?) theology.

In particular, I picked up (or was reminded) about the differences between justification and judgement. Wright explains that we are justified by faith, yet STILL judged by works..

"But people often forget (though Paul makes it crystal clear) that ‘justification by faith’ is a truth about the present time, about how you can tell in the present, in advance of the future judgment, who God’s people really are – and therefore how you can know that you, too, belong to that people, that your own sins really have been forgiven. But whenever Paul looks at the future day of judgment, which is what our present passage is about, he remains equally clear. The future judgment will take place on the basis of the entire life a person has led. He has already said this in the previous passage (2.7–10). He repeats it in 14.10."

[danthexcman11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study on Romans

This book has drastically added to my knowledge and understanding of Romans! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand Paul’s writing at a higher level. It’s still very readable and applicable.

[MariMel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure that I'm less ambivalent about Paul or that I understand him more after reading this, but there was some beautiful writing in this book. Here is my favorite quotation:
"[Reading Romans] will leave you breathless at the power of God's truth and, of course, at the depth of God's love. Pause for a moment and celebrate, in grateful prayer, the glorious fact of being welcomed into God's presence, at peace and in hope." - N.T. Wright