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Pillar New Testament Commentary
Paul's Letter to the Romans (The Pillar New Testament Commentary
Paul's Letter to the Romans may well be the most influential book in Christian history. In this Romans commentary Colin Kruse shows how Paul expounds the gospel against the background of God's sovereign action as creator, judge, and redeemer of the world. Valuable "additional notes" on important theological themes and difficult texts -- such as Paul's discussion of same-sex relationships, the salvation of "all Israel," and the woman Junia, who was "well known among the apostles" -- further connect Romans to contemporary issues. Throughout his commentary Kruse expertly guides readers through the plethora of interpretations of Romans, providing a reliable exposition of this foundational epistle.
669 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2012
About the author
Colin G. Kruse
20 books4 followersColin G. Kruse (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior lecturer of New Testament at Melbourne School of Theology. In the twenty years following his ordination into the Anglican ministry, Kruse gained practical experience in parishes in Australia and the U.S. along with five years of missionary service as a theological lecturer in Indonesia. Besides journal articles on the New Testament, Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Kruse has authored several books including Paul, the Law and Justification and New Testament Models for Ministry: Jesus and Paul. He has also written the Tyndale New Testament Commentary on 2 Corinthians and the Pillar New Testament Commentary titles The Letters of John and Paul's Letter to the Romans.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 1, 2017
This book is one of the finest scholarly commentaries that balances its discussion to maintain great value for pastors available today. In replacing Leon Morris’s volume in the vaunted Pillar New Testament Commentary series, which was a favorite for many of us, this volume had better be good. Even with that pressure, this book lived up to expectations. It’s thoroughly conservative, carefully written, readable, and persuasive. Somehow it covers all the bases and does so succinctly in only 600 pages for the incredibly profound Book of Romans.
The Introduction is superb. It makes complex subjects understandable. It begins with historical background that puts Rome, Roman Christians, and Paul in appropriate context. He well explains the purpose of Romans and what scholars have thought on the subject. He gives conservative conclusions on authorship, date, and the integrity of the text.
He gave a thoughtful summary on the New Perspective of Paul that is as good as I’ve seen. He writes respectfully and yet can’t hide the utter weakness of that viewpoint. From there, he transitions to a fine discussion of theological themes. He sees Father, Son, and Spirit pervading Romans and concludes that “the gospel of God comprehensively conceived” is the heart of Romans.
The commentary itself has punch. I couldn’t agree with all his classic reformed viewpoints, but his tone, scholarly scope, and accessibility is a joy. As an added bonus, you will find numerous weighty “Additional Note” sections.
This book is a top commentary on the vital Book of Romans available today. Put it in the must-have category.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Introduction is superb. It makes complex subjects understandable. It begins with historical background that puts Rome, Roman Christians, and Paul in appropriate context. He well explains the purpose of Romans and what scholars have thought on the subject. He gives conservative conclusions on authorship, date, and the integrity of the text.
He gave a thoughtful summary on the New Perspective of Paul that is as good as I’ve seen. He writes respectfully and yet can’t hide the utter weakness of that viewpoint. From there, he transitions to a fine discussion of theological themes. He sees Father, Son, and Spirit pervading Romans and concludes that “the gospel of God comprehensively conceived” is the heart of Romans.
The commentary itself has punch. I couldn’t agree with all his classic reformed viewpoints, but his tone, scholarly scope, and accessibility is a joy. As an added bonus, you will find numerous weighty “Additional Note” sections.
This book is a top commentary on the vital Book of Romans available today. Put it in the must-have category.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
October 23, 2017
Paul’s Letter to the Romans, written by Colin G. Kruse and published by Eerdmans, is one of the well written modern commentaries on this book of the Bible. Paul’s Letter to the Romans is the most recent volume of the Pillar New Testament, edited by D.A. Carson, a series which is synonymous with superior scholarship and excellent exegesis, and this volume continues this legacy. Kruse is no stranger to studious commentaries series on scripture yet this is his first foray into the Pillar New Testament Commentary series. This work is an updated volume to the previous entry written by Leon Morris. While Morris’s volume was fantastic, Kruse’s volume interacts more with modern scholarship while being more thorough in it’s approach and aim to scholarly pastors.
Paul’s Letter to the Romans begins with the typical study into the introductory matters of this book of the Bible, yet while introductions are common; this introduction is atypical of most commentaries. It is not that this work doesn’t dive into history and recent scholarship, which Paul’s Letter to the Romans does a phenomenal job of, rather, it is the thoroughness that Kruse takes with these introductory matters which makes this commentary atypical. In a day where these matters are either glossed over to get to the exegesis of the text or are so cumbersome that they become useless, Kruse has found a good balance in being thorough, communicating depth and attention to recent scholarship, all without losing the forest in the trees.
In reference to the commentary on the text of this Epistle, Kruse takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while sprinkling practical application to the reader throughout the textual commentary. With regard of recommending Paul’s Letter to the Romans, to others I would wholeheartedly recommend this commentary to students of scripture, with one caveat. By this I mean I recommend this work to Pastors, Scholars, Bible Teachers, Bible College Students, and Seminary Students, there is enough scholarly weight to this text to understand a particularly issue in the text while giving aid to pastors in preaching the text. The caveat is to the lay person who is looking for a commentary to read as a devotional, while a basic knowledge of Greek is not needed for understanding Paul’s Letter to the Romans, it is helpful and would not be suitable for devotional reading. There are many commentaries about the book of Romans available at this moment but Pillar’s New Testament commentary Paul’s Letter to the Romans, is a step above the herd.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Eerdmans Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
The Second Letter to the Corinthians: Pillar New Testament Commentary
© 2012 by Colin G. Kruse
Publisher: Eerdmans
Page Count: 669 Pages
ISBN: 978-0802837431
Paul’s Letter to the Romans begins with the typical study into the introductory matters of this book of the Bible, yet while introductions are common; this introduction is atypical of most commentaries. It is not that this work doesn’t dive into history and recent scholarship, which Paul’s Letter to the Romans does a phenomenal job of, rather, it is the thoroughness that Kruse takes with these introductory matters which makes this commentary atypical. In a day where these matters are either glossed over to get to the exegesis of the text or are so cumbersome that they become useless, Kruse has found a good balance in being thorough, communicating depth and attention to recent scholarship, all without losing the forest in the trees.
In reference to the commentary on the text of this Epistle, Kruse takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while sprinkling practical application to the reader throughout the textual commentary. With regard of recommending Paul’s Letter to the Romans, to others I would wholeheartedly recommend this commentary to students of scripture, with one caveat. By this I mean I recommend this work to Pastors, Scholars, Bible Teachers, Bible College Students, and Seminary Students, there is enough scholarly weight to this text to understand a particularly issue in the text while giving aid to pastors in preaching the text. The caveat is to the lay person who is looking for a commentary to read as a devotional, while a basic knowledge of Greek is not needed for understanding Paul’s Letter to the Romans, it is helpful and would not be suitable for devotional reading. There are many commentaries about the book of Romans available at this moment but Pillar’s New Testament commentary Paul’s Letter to the Romans, is a step above the herd.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Eerdmans Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
The Second Letter to the Corinthians: Pillar New Testament Commentary
© 2012 by Colin G. Kruse
Publisher: Eerdmans
Page Count: 669 Pages
ISBN: 978-0802837431
March 14, 2018
Reformed perspective and egalitarian
June 1, 2019
I really liked this book. Very sane and even devotional in places. Just the wright amount of scholarly interaction for the average pastor.
July 18, 2020
It was a very good resource for studying Romans.
December 6, 2025
jedna z nejoblibenejsich, vzdycky se k ni budu vracet
September 13, 2026
I'm sure this has good lessons, but the only thing I remember gleaning was a commentary on circumcision.
February 8, 2015
Read my full review here:
http://mydigitalseminary.com/romans-b...
One’s appreciation of Kruse’s Romans will vary. Except for Romans 2:14-16, Rom 11:26 and a few others, the conclusions largely neighbor those of Moo and Schreiner. However, Kruse is newer, slightly less technical and briefer (although not as new as it appears, as mentioned above). While I would prefer Moo or Schreiner, this would serve nicely as a humble substitute for those uninterested in the level of depth reached by these scholars. I recommend this commentary to students since it is easier to grasp and comprehend.
Unfortunately, the commentary offers little by the way of fresh ideas or presentation. Kruse even sometimes refrains from giving his own view. I’d prefer to read a poorly argued view than what sometimes happens: a series of quotes from others, then the revelation that he himself is undecided. At worst, this falls into little more than a summary of the views of others, often containing large quotations in the place of original material. However, the Additional Notes remain excellent and in many ways pull this commentary up to the next level and help it stand on its own.
Colin Kruse’s Romans is recommended for serious students and pastors, particularly those who want a newer, shorter and less technical commentary than others such as Schreiner and Moo, but more extended than others such as Osborne or Stott.
Many thanks to IVP UK for providing a review copy of this book. Their generosity did not affect my review.
http://mydigitalseminary.com/romans-b...
One’s appreciation of Kruse’s Romans will vary. Except for Romans 2:14-16, Rom 11:26 and a few others, the conclusions largely neighbor those of Moo and Schreiner. However, Kruse is newer, slightly less technical and briefer (although not as new as it appears, as mentioned above). While I would prefer Moo or Schreiner, this would serve nicely as a humble substitute for those uninterested in the level of depth reached by these scholars. I recommend this commentary to students since it is easier to grasp and comprehend.
Unfortunately, the commentary offers little by the way of fresh ideas or presentation. Kruse even sometimes refrains from giving his own view. I’d prefer to read a poorly argued view than what sometimes happens: a series of quotes from others, then the revelation that he himself is undecided. At worst, this falls into little more than a summary of the views of others, often containing large quotations in the place of original material. However, the Additional Notes remain excellent and in many ways pull this commentary up to the next level and help it stand on its own.
Colin Kruse’s Romans is recommended for serious students and pastors, particularly those who want a newer, shorter and less technical commentary than others such as Schreiner and Moo, but more extended than others such as Osborne or Stott.
Many thanks to IVP UK for providing a review copy of this book. Their generosity did not affect my review.
July 29, 2015
2015: Got caught up in Douglas Moo's NIV Application commentary and didn't spend much time with this one. Maybe next year. I generally like Pillar commentaries a lot, but Moo's caught my attention this time around.
07292018 ... Beginning Kruse for this year's reading.
Though I have just started this commentary, I believe it is noteworthy that Kruse uses "Additional Notes" to incorporate essays about specific subjects. In his first section, covering Romans 1:1-7, he follows the section with essays on "Paul's use of credal material" and "Paul's apostleship." Very good material.
08072018
On Romans 9 now. Each commentary writer takes a different approach to compiling their notes and explanations. For Kruse, the beauty for me lies in the "Additional Notes" he adds after many sections, covering a more in depth look at certain topics, answering questions, many times, that I noted in my reading of the text beforehand. Although I have read other commentaries whose writers would discuss specific topics as additional material from time to time, I don't recall that any used this technique so extensively. I find it very useful and educational.
Kruse incorporates more discussion based on the "New Perspective" than most other commentators I have read. I appreciate it.
I rated this commentary at 4 stars (compared to other commentaries I have read) because Kruse didn't always hold my attention. However, I felt there was definitely 5-star material in this book, particularly, but not exclusively, in the Additional Notes.
07292018 ... Beginning Kruse for this year's reading.
Though I have just started this commentary, I believe it is noteworthy that Kruse uses "Additional Notes" to incorporate essays about specific subjects. In his first section, covering Romans 1:1-7, he follows the section with essays on "Paul's use of credal material" and "Paul's apostleship." Very good material.
08072018
On Romans 9 now. Each commentary writer takes a different approach to compiling their notes and explanations. For Kruse, the beauty for me lies in the "Additional Notes" he adds after many sections, covering a more in depth look at certain topics, answering questions, many times, that I noted in my reading of the text beforehand. Although I have read other commentaries whose writers would discuss specific topics as additional material from time to time, I don't recall that any used this technique so extensively. I find it very useful and educational.
Kruse incorporates more discussion based on the "New Perspective" than most other commentators I have read. I appreciate it.
I rated this commentary at 4 stars (compared to other commentaries I have read) because Kruse didn't always hold my attention. However, I felt there was definitely 5-star material in this book, particularly, but not exclusively, in the Additional Notes.
December 19, 2014
This was a very helpful commentary. I used it 'devotionally' over a few months while reading Romans, but I'm sure I will refer back to it for more 'technical' use as I study Romans in the future or prepare a message on that book. There were a number of additional notes that I skipped this time through that are probably very helpful as well. The commentary was good at providing a number of different perspectives on the text.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews