Comentario bíblico con aplicación NVI Romanos: Del texto bíblico a una aplicación contemporánea (Comentarios bíblicos con aplicación NVI)

The NIV Application Commentary, New Testament #6

by Douglas J. Moo

LA MAYORÍA DE LOS COMENTARIOS BÍBLICOS solo son un viaje de ida: nos llevan del siglo veintiuno al siglo primeo. Pero nos dejan allí, dando por sentado que de algún modo sabremos regresar por nosotros mismos. Dicho de otro modo, se centran en el significado original del pasaje, sin embargo, no se adentran en su aplicación a la vida contemporánea. La información que ofrecen es muy valiosa, pero resulta tan solo una ayuda a medias.
LOS COMENTARIOS BÍBLICOS CON APLICCIÓN NVI nos ayudan con las dos partes de la tarea interpretativa, es decir, también nos ayudan a aplicar un mensaje otra época a nuestro contexto actual. Esta serie no solo nos explica lo que significo para los lectores originales, sino que nos demuestra que también hay un mensaje poderoso para la iglesia de hoy.
Para lograrlo analiza cada pasaje en tres partes:
1) Sentido original.
2) Construyendo puentes entre los contextos del autor bíblico y el nuestro.
3) Significado contemporáneo.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Theology, New Testament, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Faith

513 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Douglas J. Moo (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of commentaries on Romans, James, 2 Peter and Jude, and Colossians and Philemon and coauthor of An Introduction to the New Testament. He also headed the committee on Bible translation for the NIV revision.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought going in this was just an abridged version of Moo's longer commentary, but was pleasantly surprised that was not the case. There are certainly times where the text commentary reads similarly, but it is usually in a shorter, summary form that can actually be helpful. The Bridging Contexts and Contemporary Significance sections add excellent practical applications that go beyond the longer commentary. If you were to only have one, I would suggest the longer commentary though it is more technical. However, it is worth having both as this volume is an excellent complement to the longer commentary.

[Luke Thigpen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to any study of the book or Romans. This commentary is broken into three section, "original meaning," "bridging context," and "contemporary significance," which provides at least 3 perspectives on the text at hand. Its not purely exegetical, but is very useful in application.

[Eric Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moo writes in such a thorough, accessible (mostly), and humble way. It is by no means an exhaustive commentary, but I have a much deeper understanding of Paul’s letter after reading. The structure is great and Moo’s scholarship is plain to see. The amount of work put into this book is staggering.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent commentary on the book of Romans. I highly recommend it!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like Moo's style. Romans is a difficult book to grasp unless you look only at the broad overview. Paul is so "wound up" when he writes this. He definitely has a point to make, and he makes it over and over, step by step, and then step by step again. Even a casual read of Romans reveals the intensity Paul feels when he writes this letter. Moo helps decipher it, while pointing out the various doctrines (sometimes contrary to each other) that have sprung from this letter. I've become a fan of Moo after going through this commentary. He is very thorough, very balanced, and very fair. He points to all sides, sometimes indicates his own, and lets us know when he's abstaining from a position. Reading this commentary, I ended up purchasing Romans : from Biblical text to contemporary life, Encountering the Book of Romans: A Theological Survey and Moo's Pillar edition of The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. I have the Pillar version of The Letter of James on order, and can't wait to read it. The Pillar series has a lightly different tone than either of the Romans commentaries, pointing out more of the nuiances of the Greek text and how it's translated from version to version, plus Moo's own interpretation, and although I didn't particularly seek a commentary that dwelt on the Greek, I find it to be an added bonus to my studies.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

7 Aug 2015
I rate a commentary according to how many new ideas it presents to me, how much it educates me, and how excited it makes me about my personal Bible study. I read parts of this commentary several years ago when I led a Bible study on Romans, but I relied more heavily on another commentary by Moo (Encountering Romans, I think it was - Baker). So this time reading the NIV Application Commentary is like reading it for the first time. I thought this book would be a regurgitation of the Baker book, but not so. Moo gives historical view and a contemporary application. Every time I read through the daily reading in Romans and then read Moo's historical perspective, I think, "Well, I can skip the contemporary part!" But as I get into the contemporary part, I am amazed at the application and its clarity. Today, I am on Romans 8-9, and Moo talks about the environment and our stewardship of it. Love it!!!

The commentary is long, but Moo does not sputter about. Sometimes in a commentary, I have to work hard to piece together what the commentator is trying to say. Not so with Moo. He just says it!

13 Aug 2015

Like with commentaries by Bruce, Moo's commentary has a feeling of intimacy about it. I feel he is sharing with me his deep interest in and excitement about the subject matter. His commentary is not an exercise in technical proficiency, though Moo is certainly technically proficient at his craft - instead, it seems to come directly from his heart. I get the feeling that this man loves the subject so much, he must think about and research it in every way possible, turning over options in his mind as he examines root words, the context in which they were used in other of Paul's writings, comparing them with the history of the times in which Paul wrote, the Old Testament background, and then applying all his findings to how this applies to us in contemporary times. Moo's NIV commentary reads as smoothly as a contemporary novel. And his sincerity shines through.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this commentary, I feel I have an even greater appreciation of Romans than I did before. I've taken a class on Romans, listened to all kinds of sermons about this letter, and read quite a few books about this treatise on the Christian faith. This may be my favorite of all of them. It was both theological and practical, which is what I wish every commentary was. I have no doubt that I'll be coming back to this as a resource for years to come!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the hardest yet fulfilling books to preach through is the Book of Romans.  It is therefore extremely helpful that Zondervan Publications has put out a commentary on the Book of Romans in the NIV application Commentary series. This commentary is well-known and respected in both popular and scholarly circles. For the NIV application Commentary series truly helps the exegete understand the original context of the text as well as its contemporary significance.
 
This commentary is written by the famous Douglas J. Moo, the author of numerous commentaries, including a more scholarly commentary on Romans in the NICNT, and while not made for scholars does not disappoint. His background and his deep understanding of the writings of Paul specifically that of Romans make this phenomenal work on the book of Romans..
 
In dealing with the commentary proper, the textual commentary is written in pericope sections rather than dealing with a verse by verse exegetical study. This is the form at which the NIV application study commentary, is exclusivity written init was therefore not a surprise, but it is something that a reader should expect. This does not negate in any way this commentaries usefulness rather it enhances a preacher's focus on seeing the forest through the trees. I therefore recommend this commentary wholeheartedly as a useful tool to both the preacher, teacher, uneducated laymen, and Sunday school teacher. I do suggest though that this commentary be paired with a more solid one that deals exegetically with each verse.

Furthermore despite the complex theological heresy know as the New Perspective on Paul, Moo stays stalwart in the orthodox belief that Paul was writing about the justification by faith alone rather refuting covenantal nomism.  This is important to note in a scholarly world which seems to have fallen under sway of this new system of heretical beliefs.
 
These books was provided to me free of charge from Zondervan Press in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have used Douglas Moo as a resource for many papers but I had not read his commentary on Romans. The NIV Application Commentary on Romans is a very helpful walk through a complicated book. I appreciate Moo's careful handling of the text and his explanations on Greek words and tense (when the Greek makes the intent more transparent). I agree with Moo on the essentials of the faith and many of the non-essentials. I disagree with him on a few points but he is fair and it is clear he strives to present the most faithful representation of the meaning of the text he can. In many cases where there is ambiguity as to what Paul was saying, Moo presents different scholarly viewpoints so that the reader can decide based on the best available exegisis.

[Amanda Geaney]

9/18/25 - Beginning my read through. My Bible discussion group will also be using the companion study: Romans Bible Study: Living Our Faith with Grace and Truth, which releases on October 21, 2025.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for my BIBL 330 Romans class. It helped me to learn quite a bit about Romans and how Paul used Old Testament and other texts to formulate and explain his theology. His theological explanations and discussions still have Christians baffled to this day. Dr. Moo's best advice for studying Paul is to put his writings into their proper cultural and theological settings.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the NIV Application Commentary series. However, not so much this volume. I found a lot of opinion and personal commentary rather than application. I thought the author was rather opinionated and did not always present a balanced approach.

On to the next commentary. Overall I have enjoyed the series immensely.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

El mejor comentario que he leído hasta la fecha sobre tan importante libro de la Biblia. Muy equilibrado con la doctrina y lleno de hermosas aplicaciones para nuestras propias vidas. Gloria a Dios por hombres como Moo. Llenos de sabiduría de lo alto y comprometidos con la verdad.

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent commentary on Romans. It includes both scholarly reflection and practical application. Moo is explicitly Calvinist in his interpretation but is respectful of other interpretations.

[Maikor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buenas aplicaciones para el mundo contemporáneo

Este comentario es fascinante porque nos lleva del sentido original del texto, analizando su contexto tanto gramatical como cultural, para llevarnos a un sentido contemporáneo

[Nate Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moo has incredibly helpful thoughts, but I can't help wishing I bought his more extensive commentary. The NIVAC series is, well, a little too heavy on application for my taste.

[Steve Hazell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good commentary that does a great job of giving modern applications. It's not the deepest from a scholarly standpoint, but it definitely is a helpful tool.

[Julie Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study!

[Jay Vellacott · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth exegesis, and does a great job breaking down cultural barriers and applying the text to current issues and to personal holiness.

[Jay Merrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall helpful.

[Tina Springer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting on the side of theologians point of view.

[Lindsay Noteboom (Price) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A great overview of a complex book.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long and detailed commentary on the book of Rome. The soteriology here quite deep, but the author made it so everyone could easily understand.

[Brianna Warme]

I can’t believe I read an entire commentary 🤯

[David Engelhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boring. But Great

[David Perkins]

Read for a class. Don’t want my perception of the course to influence a rating that otherwise would probably say this commentary was fine.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I studied the book of Romans during 2014. I gained greatly by taking a year to slowly study Romans, and this commentary was an extremely helpful tool. Romans - The NIV Application Commentary was in depth. I did not understand everything I read, and I certainly had to take my time, but every chapter was broken down into manageable sections. The Original Meaning section was by far the most difficult; I had to take my time. It was worth my efforts. Bridging Context and Contemporary Significance were very helpful sections that gave me further insights into the text for better understanding; the culture and times the text was written, and how it's still applicable today. I appreciated this author's writing style and instruction. This commentary was definitely a great tool to help me gain a better overall understanding of Romans.
My only drawback was for the Ebook format; lacks a table of contents to enable me to easily navigate to specific locations in the book. Instead, I had to swipe page after page or remember to bookmark locations I thought I may have to go back to. The format was a big navigation pain.

[Frank Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the commentary on Romans in the NIV Application Commentary series, and was written by Douglas Moo. I have really thought highly of this particular commentary series. In general the authors have done an excellent job in bringing out the relevant applications of the particular passages. I also really like and respect this particular author – Douglas Moo. But, for some strange reason, this particular commentary did not resonate with me. I found the analysis of the passages excellent, but the applications to be mostly out of date and often irrelevant. This section reminded me of my youth (I am currently in my mid-forties). So, this particular book was disappointing.

[Corey Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy consulting the NIVAC series in sermon prep. It's simple and clear without being simplistic. This work on Romans, however, didn't deal with a few things that I wish it had. Therefore, I would recommend following it with a few other more in depth commentaries, and with Lloyd Jones' exposition of Romans for application. But, that being said, it is a good introductory commentary. If you're wanting to study Paul's letter to the Romans for personal study, I would definitely recommend this little commentary by Moo.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moo's treatment of Romans is thorough and scholarly. His main emphasis is seeking out the correct meaning of the apostle Paul's text to the Roman Christians in the 1st century A.D. and then making application to our own lives today. I found most beneficial his explanation of the extra meanings that occur in the original Greek but are not obvious in English translations. As a current teacher of the book of Romans to a small group that meets in my home, I found this a really helpful resource.