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Romans (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture):
This Catholic commentary on Romans interprets Scripture from within the living tradition of the Church for pastoral ministers, lay readers, and students.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2017
151 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hahn
415 books1,328 followersScott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
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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