The Letter to the Romans

New Daily Study Bible

by William Barclay

In ways that no other writing of the New Testament has achieved, the ideas expressed in the letter to the Romans have shaped formatively the whole of Christian belief. William Barclay's fresh translation and clear exposition allows readers the chance to see the heart of Paul's gospel. For almost fifty years and for millions of readers, the Daily Study Bible commentaries have been the ideal help for both devotional and serious Bible study. Now, with the release of the New Daily Study Bible, a new generation will appreciate the wisdom of William Barclay. With clarification of less familiar illustrations and inclusion of more contemporary language, the New Daily Study Bible will continue to help individuals and groups discover what the message of the New Testament really means for their lives.

Genres: Religion, Reference, Christian, New Testament, Theology, Biblical Studies, Christianity

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

WIlliam Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. He wrote a popular set of Bible commentaries on the New Testament that sold 1.5 million copies.

Reviews

[Allison Fetch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comment was made to me that William Barclay's books are quite dated and I would be better served reading commentaries by more modern authors. While I agree to a small extent, I also think that Barclay's explanations are largely timeless. I appreciate his excellent knowledge of the original languages of the bible and how he uses alternate or expanded translations of individual words to bring deeper meaning to the English translation which at times can be a bit clumsy because of these language differences. I also love the little anecdotes and stories that Barclay works in to make his point. They add a lot of interest and spice. At times his writing can be a little dry, but overall I came out with a more scholarly view of the book. I wouldn't read Barclay's writings as a devotional, but they do give me more insight into the history surrounding the writings, greater depth of understanding based on the language used, and a better picture of how the book fits into the history of the early Christian church.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some may be turned off of Barclay because he was no fan of the penal substitutionary theory of Christ's atonement (Barclay is very influenced by Dodd in this respect)...or because he was a universalist, believing that God's love would win everyone in the end. Both of these views come through in this commentary. Despite this and despite that the book is a bit outdated (1957 was a long time ago), this commentary is still helpful. Barclay was a brilliant writer and even if you disagree with his doctrine, Barclay portrays the beautiful heart of God in a passionate way. A helpful resource. His translation is also enjoyable.

[LAMONT D · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my personal library, this study book of the New Testament Romans comes from an esteemed Scottish author, radio and television presenter from the Church of Scotland. This is a timeless treasure since it contains a verse-by-verse analysis of this epistle with a detailed commentary on many of the Greek words and also the history and context behind the meaning of those words. For example, on the concept of adoption he narrates the consequences of adoption that would have been in the Apostle Paul's mind at the time he wrote this letter and what it meant to be adopted in the Roman culture. This is indeed a tremendous help as I go back through the entire book in my small group study as we tackle this great treatise of Paul to the church in Rome.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the effort to understand Paul's very complicated letter to the church in Rome, students will be more than ever grateful for the fresh translation and clear exposition which mark with such high distinction all the volumes of The Daily Study Bible series.

Both in mood and in method Romans is entirely different from Paul's other writings. For once, the apostle is not concerned with immediate, practical problems; he is, rather, setting down in a systematic fashion the essence of his faith--bequeathing in a "theological last will and testament" the ideas which, of all those expressed in the New Testament, have most shaped Christian belief.

Three of the letter's four divisions hold the treatise proper, dealing in turn with the questions of righteousness, of the Jews as the Chosen People, and of how we are to live our daily lives. A personal recommendation, greetings, and a benediction make up the fourth part. None of the letter is easy to understand, for Paul "is often writing at such white-heat that the threads of his words are difficult to disentangle." Thanks to Dr. Barclay's singular gifts, Paul's deep meanings shine brilliantly here, answering fully every reader who seeks the heart of his gospel.

~From Book Jacket

Romans 14 changed my life.

[Seth Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better written, and easier to follow, commentaries on Romans. Barclay does a tremendous job providing a lot of cultural background, as well as etymologies for Greek words. He uses a lot of illustrations from early centuries to illustrate his points--making it a good lesson in history as well as theology.

His weaknesses come in chapter 3, 8, 9, and 14. While he has good things to say in each, you never leave the chapters really understanding what he thinks. Some of that is intentional, for example he criticizes some of Paul's arguments in chapter 9 because Paul is writing from an impassioned heart--not in a quiet office. Okay maybe--but I would have appreciated a little bit more on how other viewpoints think about those chapters. I am all for theological tension and paradox, but this felt a little light.

Chapter 14 is abysmal and shallow, RC Sproul does a much better job.

Criticisms aside, this is a good book and I highly recommend it. His final chapter on Paul's associates is fascinating! It should also be noted that there are faint traces of universalism in this book, but very faint.

[A. Macbeth’s bks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. I cried for Paul’s troubles. But when one double-thinks about it, he had actually been a very bad man before he fell in love with Jesus Christ.

My contention is that the spark of Paul’s Conversion to The Way was begun through the mechanism of his observing the martyrdom and barbaric stoning to death of St. Stephen, the first deacon. (There’s also a case to be made that St. Stephen was the best deacon ever.)

But I feel a sense of relief that I can say I definitely and steadily read through all of Romans, not skipping about in the verses and passages, even if it was Barclay’s own translation.

I read the previous revised edition. The edition shown here was still in the mail at the time .

[Bobbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul's letter to the Romans has always been the most challenging New Testament book for me. Barclay's book helped me to understand historical events of the time as well as deeper meanings of various words. His insights were very helpful; this is a great resource for those who want to add depth to their own study of this book.

[Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from his own translation which brings some additional clarity and insight into Paul's letter to the Roman church, Barclay's extensive knowledge of Greek and Roman culture (along with his contemporary references) makes this a fascinating study into the book of Romans.

[Darby Karchut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of William Barclay's books. This is the second time I'm going through Romans.

[Carlos Vallarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 16 and the historical figures greeted there was an eye opener, made me more interested in the culture of the beginning of Xtianity.

[Thomas R. Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study book for anyone desiring to better understand Paul's Letters to the Romans in the New Testament. Highly recommend.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very helpful in my study of Romans this year. He had many unique viewpoints.

[John Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!!

I have used several of these wonderful books as devotionals for a few years and thoroughly enjoy them. I highly recommend and of his Daily Study Bible series.

[Glenn Hopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main strength of this excellent book may be its age. Published in 1955 and revised in 1977, it does not seem to have been written to please a publisher who mainly sought to offer the world another book of rigid, ax-grinding ideology. Barclay works his way through the sixteen chapters of Romans and says seemingly whatever he thinks is fit, regardless of whether it is properly conservative or properly non-conservative. And what a breath of fresh air it is! About Romans 9.19-29 Barclay writes (p. 132 of the 1977 revised edition): “Paul’s answer is blunt almost to the point of crudity. He says that no man has any right to argue with God. When a potter makes a vessel, it cannot talk back to him; he has absolute power over it. . . . It is a bad analogy. One great New Testament commentator has said that this is one of the very few passages which we wish Paul had not written. There is a difference between a human being and a lump of clay.” Barclay’s credentials as writer and minister and professor of biblical studies are impressive. But unlike so many later authors on biblical matters, he does not allow (at least in this book) his reverence to overcome his candor. All this may be due more to the 1950s being a less polarized time religiously than today rather than William Barclay being the wild-eyed radical of 1950s biblical commentators. I wonder if the many subsequent revisions (post-1977, that is) of Barclay’s commentaries have maintained his forthrightness or slowly, edition by edition, rinsed it out, thinking that less frankness means more sales?

[Carlos Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barclay goes line-by-line and into a lot of depth about the Letter to the Romans. I have never read an approach like this and I was fascinated by how modern his writing was. I was expecting it to be dry, academic, and non-practical, but Barclay did the opposite. I highly recommend this to someone how is interested in going deeper into one of the most famous letters from Paul and how to apply it into their lives.

Apparently, the author has written in the same style other books about the new testament, so I am sure I will get to them at some point.

[Ian Minielly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Barclay. His handling of Romans is solid and enjoyable to read and study. I would recommend this to anyone looking at Romans and seeking the truth of Scripture and not the truth of the current thing.

[Laurent Dv · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable but unfortunately the author either is a universalist or at least is not clear on that issue.

[Ralph Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent writing as usual very helpful devotional reading

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was dense and pretty heavy on greek meaning but enough good nuggets to make it worth the reading.

[Britain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine but some examples or samples are very tenuous in application.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful contextual guide to the book of Hebrews. The more I read William Barclay the more I feel like I learn.

[Olo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

[Ali McNeely]

Series: Romans

[Carlos Montijo]

I discuss this book, particularly Barclay’s comments on Romans 5, in a two-part series on the Covenant of Works:
https://thorncrownministries.com/srr/...

https://thorncrownministries.com/srr/...

[Stacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't finish thus book or even use it like I had wanted to. The way it was written didn't appeal to me. In the end I was looking for a more devotional type commentary, that wasn't super long, but this didn't do the trick.

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letter to the Romans is one of my frequently visited Books of the Bible along with others of Paul's contributions. Barclay has added a great deal both to enjoying and understandings and I'll likely revisit his book as well in the future.

[Cws]

227.1

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent devotional

[Andrew Corrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barclay is a genial, informative and thought-provoking guide through some of the more complex passages of St Paul's writing.