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Romans: (A Catholic Bible Commentary on the New Testament by Trusted Catholic Biblical Scholars - CCSS)
In this addition to the successful Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (CCSS) series, Scott Hahn, a bestselling author and a leading Catholic interpreter of Scripture, examines Romans from within the living tradition of the Church for pastoral ministers, lay readers, and students alike. The CCSS relates Scripture to Christian life today, is faithfully Catholic, and is supplemented by features designed to help readers understand the Bible more deeply and use it more effectively in teaching, preaching, evangelization, and other forms of ministry. Supported by leading Catholic scholars as well as popular Bible teachers, the series offers a unique level of commentary for Catholic students of the Bible. Its attractive packaging and accessible writing style make it a series to own--and to read! Drawn from the best of contemporary scholarship, series volumes are keyed to the liturgical year and include an index of pastoral subjects.
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 24, 2017
Superb. This commentary should be on the shelf of any person (Catholic or otherwise) who has an interest in Paul's letter to the Romans. Decades of study, discussion, reflection, and prayer from this Calvinist turned Catholic have gone into this fine volume. Line by line analysis gives the engaged reader much information and food for study and thought. Sidebars add valuable insights on the text from the author, key Catholic thinkers, and the Church fathers. Occasional Reflection and Application sections help to apply Paul's teaching to our daily lives (although these lessons are not confined to these sections by Paul or Dr. Hahn).
The CCSS is a wonderful series -- I have kept up with the volumes since the beginning. If you've used these already you know their value. If not, start with "Romans" and undoubtedly you will soon be purchasing other entries soon thereafter. These are invaluable references for understanding the Catholic perspective on the New Testament. "Romans" is particularly valuable because of the changeling (in understanding and application) nature of the letter.
Years ago, Dr. Hahn produced an audio series called "Romanism in Romans." It makes a fine supplement to this book. (Find it here: https://saintjoe.com/products/romanis...).
The CCSS is a wonderful series -- I have kept up with the volumes since the beginning. If you've used these already you know their value. If not, start with "Romans" and undoubtedly you will soon be purchasing other entries soon thereafter. These are invaluable references for understanding the Catholic perspective on the New Testament. "Romans" is particularly valuable because of the changeling (in understanding and application) nature of the letter.
Years ago, Dr. Hahn produced an audio series called "Romanism in Romans." It makes a fine supplement to this book. (Find it here: https://saintjoe.com/products/romanis...).
December 4, 2021
This is such a good commentary with so many insights.
August 26, 2018
Not to far apart
I've been a protestant most of my life. I learned that Catholic belief and protestant belief are pretty much the same.
I've been a protestant most of my life. I learned that Catholic belief and protestant belief are pretty much the same.
May 4, 2020
I think this is the best volume I have read in this series so far. Hahn's lucid explanations make the argument of Romans easy to understand without dumbing it down, which is no mean feat.
May 9, 2023
2.5
It is bizarre that Scott Hahn would appear to teach something reasonably in line with the Protestant doctrines of 'Sola Fide' and 'Solus Christus' in his commentary of chapters 3, 4 and 5 of Romans here, revealing a fair understanding of Paul on justification, even if he does not flesh it out particularly fully. He explains from these chapters how the believer is forgiven and accounted as righteous through Christ and by His merit alone. And yet obviously Hahn sides with Rome by his profession of faith. Even in this commentary he references the Council of Trent in a positive light but does not deal with the fact that the council of Trent called anyone believing in justification by faith alone "anathema" (that is to say, "accursed of God").
In itself this is really not a bad commentary per se. However it is short and not particularly enlightening for anyone other than a beginner in theology.
I do believe Hahn also gets predestination wrong. He starts out well in chapter 9 explaining Paul's teaching on divine sovereignty but then at the end seems to backtrack on what he has previously written and says that Paul is not actually speaking about the final salvation of individuals.
So to end this little review, there are far better commentaries on the book of Romans to recommend. I was simply curious how Hahn, the self-proclaimed ex-Protestant turned Romanist would deal with the book, and now I am even more perplexed at his apparent contradictions.
It is bizarre that Scott Hahn would appear to teach something reasonably in line with the Protestant doctrines of 'Sola Fide' and 'Solus Christus' in his commentary of chapters 3, 4 and 5 of Romans here, revealing a fair understanding of Paul on justification, even if he does not flesh it out particularly fully. He explains from these chapters how the believer is forgiven and accounted as righteous through Christ and by His merit alone. And yet obviously Hahn sides with Rome by his profession of faith. Even in this commentary he references the Council of Trent in a positive light but does not deal with the fact that the council of Trent called anyone believing in justification by faith alone "anathema" (that is to say, "accursed of God").
In itself this is really not a bad commentary per se. However it is short and not particularly enlightening for anyone other than a beginner in theology.
I do believe Hahn also gets predestination wrong. He starts out well in chapter 9 explaining Paul's teaching on divine sovereignty but then at the end seems to backtrack on what he has previously written and says that Paul is not actually speaking about the final salvation of individuals.
So to end this little review, there are far better commentaries on the book of Romans to recommend. I was simply curious how Hahn, the self-proclaimed ex-Protestant turned Romanist would deal with the book, and now I am even more perplexed at his apparent contradictions.
November 1, 2025
I have this book on Verbum (logos) Bible software.
This is a great commentary on the book of Romans. As a former Protestant new to the Catholic Church, having the links to the catechism was very helpful. Scott Hahn’s explanations of the Catholic view of grace, predestination and election, “obedience of faith”, Israel, prophecies of Judah and Israel being joined as one, the Church, the sacraments, Paul’s ministry being a priestly ministry, were all explained clearly and very helpful.
This is a great commentary on the book of Romans. As a former Protestant new to the Catholic Church, having the links to the catechism was very helpful. Scott Hahn’s explanations of the Catholic view of grace, predestination and election, “obedience of faith”, Israel, prophecies of Judah and Israel being joined as one, the Church, the sacraments, Paul’s ministry being a priestly ministry, were all explained clearly and very helpful.
July 23, 2023
Really helps to understand
This is my 2nd time reading this and won't be my last. The whole series, including this Commentary on Romans really opens up the New Testament helping you understand how it would have been understood by the original recipients.
This is my 2nd time reading this and won't be my last. The whole series, including this Commentary on Romans really opens up the New Testament helping you understand how it would have been understood by the original recipients.
January 15, 2018
An excellent, insightful, well written and highly readable commentary on St Paul's most influential letter.
March 5, 2018
An outstanding, easy to read commentary. Does an excellent job of presenting in a comprehensible way this highly theological letter.
April 23, 2018
Wonderful Commentary
Very good commentary and analysis of Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans. Clear and concise, something that even I can understand.
Very good commentary and analysis of Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans. Clear and concise, something that even I can understand.
December 28, 2018
Expected more. Some great points on Romans 9-11 but also some very problematic ones, and unfortunately very unsatisfactory on Romans 3-4.
March 10, 2022
Great aid for praying with the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Hahn and Mitch help contextualize and clarify many of the difficult (and frequently misunderstood) passages from this Letter.
December 15, 2022
Fine. Too shallow on some things but deeper on others. He cherry picks like a Presbyterian 😉
May 25, 2021
Amazing study. Scott Hahn did a great job on this commentary. Romans is a difficult letter to understand. But Hahn explains it in a clear way without “watering down” Paul’s message. Highly recommend.
May 7, 2023
I got a deeper understanding of Romans, but found the text a bit dense for my weak brain. I read Roman’s every year and will continue to look for a study on the epistle that really speaks to me. In the meantime, this will be my go-to study guide.
Two asides:
1- Romans is an unbelievably genius and layered text. Read it!
2- Hahn is a great theologian and explains complex concepts very clearly. Read him!
Two asides:
1- Romans is an unbelievably genius and layered text. Read it!
2- Hahn is a great theologian and explains complex concepts very clearly. Read him!
August 24, 2022
What a joy to read Romans with the commentary by Scott Hahn. I am enjoying this series with not just the commentary, breaking down the epistle, but also the sidebars with historical information.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews