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Romans: A Theological and Pastoral Commentary
“Above all, Romans is a letter about Spirit-enabled participation and transformation in Christ and his story, and thus in the mission of God in the world.” This commentary engages the letter to the Romans as Christian scripture and highlights the Pauline themes for which Michael Gorman is best known—participation and transformation, cruciformity and new life, peace and justice, community and mission. With extensive introductions both to the apostle Paul and to the letter itself, Gorman offers background information on Paul’s first-century context before proceeding into the rich theological landscape of the biblical text. In line with Paul’s focus on Christian living, Gorman interprets Romans at a consistently practical level, highlighting the letter’s significance for Christian theology, daily life, and pastoral ministry. Questions for reflection and sidebars on important concepts make this especially useful for those preparing to preach or teach from Romans—the “epistle of life,” as Gorman calls it, for its extraordinary promise that, through faith, we might walk in newness of life with Christ.
349 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2022
43 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Michael J. Gorman
53 books86 followersMichael J. Gorman (born 1955) is an American New Testament scholar. He is the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University. From 1995 to 2012 he was dean of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute.
Gorman specializes especially in the letters, theology, and spirituality of the apostle Paul. He is associated with the "participationist perspective" on Paul's theology. His additional specialties are the book of Revelation, theological and missional interpretation of Scripture, the gospel of John, and early Christian ethics. Gorman was born and raised in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, graduating from Glen Burnie High School in Glen Burnie, Maryland. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in French from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He received the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy cum laude in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was also a teaching fellow in New Testament and an instructor in New Testament Greek. He has also been a visiting professor at Duke Divinity School, Regent College, Carey Baptist College (New Zealand), Wesley Theological Seminary, and two theological schools in Africa. Gorman has led several study trips to Greece/Turkey/Rome and to France/Switzerland. A United Methodist, Gorman is an active layperson and a popular teacher at colleges, seminaries, churches, and conferences representing many traditions. In the mid-2010s, despite still being a Methodist, Gorman began teaching in a Roman Catholic context. His older son, Rev. Dr. Mark Gorman, is a pastor and theologian who is also on the faculty of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute.
Gorman is the author of nearly twenty books and more than sixty articles on Biblical interpretation and on ethics.
Gorman specializes especially in the letters, theology, and spirituality of the apostle Paul. He is associated with the "participationist perspective" on Paul's theology. His additional specialties are the book of Revelation, theological and missional interpretation of Scripture, the gospel of John, and early Christian ethics. Gorman was born and raised in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, graduating from Glen Burnie High School in Glen Burnie, Maryland. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude in French from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He received the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy cum laude in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he was also a teaching fellow in New Testament and an instructor in New Testament Greek. He has also been a visiting professor at Duke Divinity School, Regent College, Carey Baptist College (New Zealand), Wesley Theological Seminary, and two theological schools in Africa. Gorman has led several study trips to Greece/Turkey/Rome and to France/Switzerland. A United Methodist, Gorman is an active layperson and a popular teacher at colleges, seminaries, churches, and conferences representing many traditions. In the mid-2010s, despite still being a Methodist, Gorman began teaching in a Roman Catholic context. His older son, Rev. Dr. Mark Gorman, is a pastor and theologian who is also on the faculty of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute.
Gorman is the author of nearly twenty books and more than sixty articles on Biblical interpretation and on ethics.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 27, 2025
I own many commentaries and enjoy very few of them. Gorman is an exception here. He is thoughtful and concise (300 pages) and articulates Paul’s aim to bring about the obedience of the faith. Cruciformity is of course big for him as it is for Paul.
(Minor frustrations — while Gorman adheres to traditional sexual ethics, I’d argue he is a touch too charitable towards those who are not traditional in his comments on chapters 1 and 14, something I don’t think Paul would appreciate based on his words in Romans 1. Also, he sees Phoebe as an interpreter of Romans. At this point these two things honestly feel like badges of honor worn by scholastics to maintain unofficial membership in certain unofficial communities.
These frustrations don’t warrant a pass on Gorman in the slightest. This read was a treat and a treasure.)
(Minor frustrations — while Gorman adheres to traditional sexual ethics, I’d argue he is a touch too charitable towards those who are not traditional in his comments on chapters 1 and 14, something I don’t think Paul would appreciate based on his words in Romans 1. Also, he sees Phoebe as an interpreter of Romans. At this point these two things honestly feel like badges of honor worn by scholastics to maintain unofficial membership in certain unofficial communities.
These frustrations don’t warrant a pass on Gorman in the slightest. This read was a treat and a treasure.)
July 5, 2022
Paul's letter to the Romans has been an inspiration for many down through the centuries. Augustine, Luther, John Wesley, all point to Romans as the key to either their conversion or enlightenment. Thus, commentaries abound, some of which are profound. Consider the commentary of Karl Barth, which fell as a bombshell on his generation. So, if you are looking for a commentary that speaks to your particular need or concern, from ones that dive into exegeting the Greek words to more pastoral or even devotional commentaries, you will find it. The question many will ask is, do we need another commentary to add to the shelf. The answer probably depends on your need at the moment.
So, we have before us the commentary by Michael Gorman, the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore. He's a widely published author and I had the opportunity to hear him present on kenosis and cruciformity at a conference. He is a highly accomplished biblical scholar with a strong theological and pastoral sense of understanding. It is that component of this commentary that merits its consideration.
This is first and foremost a commentary with an eye on the theological and pastoral concerns. Thus, it is the kind of commentary that preachers and bible study teachers will find useful. It's not a word-for-word or even verse-by-verse commentary. While Greek and Hebrew words are lifted up and explained, this is not an exegetical commentary -- Cranfield is probably still a standard there.. So, instead, Gorman focuses on what he calls "discourse units" along with the theological content and significance of those units (p. xviii).
Gorman devotes a little over fifty pages of this commentary of 300 pages on first introducing Paul, including looking at his theology with a focus on the human condition and the divine response to that condition, the death and resurrection of Jesus, Jesus as Lord and the Gift of the Spirit, the human response to the Gospel and finally Paul's spirituality. That's Paul as a person. Then he spends about thirty pages of this introductory section focusing specifically on the letter itself, including the story behind the letter, the shape of the letter, and the story within the letter (here he deals with among other things participation in Christ and God's peace and justice). There is then a conversation about the story in front of the letter, dealing with the church's mission, ecumenical relations, and interfaith relations. Regarding the last concern, he addresses the idea that the gospel is for Gentiles and not Jews, such that Jews are not expected to confess faith in Jesus as messiah. He rejects that idea. He does not see this as replacement but does believe that Paul envisioned Jews ultimately embracing Jesus. He deals with this in greater detail in his commentary on chapters 9-11.
He of course addresses the whole question of justification and what that means. He challenges Luther's view of justification of faith being primary and sees participation in Christ as central. He writes that "the commentary will show that justification is not simply about being forgiven or pronounced righteous, but about being made just/righteous. This is often thought to be a Catholic rather than a Protestant view of justirication. As a Protestant, however, I contend that it is a Pauline view of justification." (p. 43).
Then comes the commentary, which takes up the remaining 250 pages of text. It's hard to describe a commentary except to speak to tone and coverage. Gorman writes as a Protestant who teaches at a Catholic seminary and university. I would say that he leans evangelical but it is an open perspective as seen in how he deals with justification and righteousness. I appreciated his discussion of Romans 13, noting that Paul's concern there was paying taxes and not supporting the imperial government. On the question of sexuality, including same-sex relationships, he discusses a range of positions but ultimately comes down on the side of maintaining traditional readings, though he advises humility in doing so. I already noted that he sees the overall message of Romans as dealing with the relationship of Jews and Gentiles within the congregation. In Gorman's mind, Paul may be focusing on reaching Gentiles, but he also embraces of sharing the Gospel with fellow Jews. I find myself struggling with this question, but he provides a helpful discussion that is worth considering.
Overall, I found the commentary to be useful and helpful. It's accessible and yet scholarly in orientation. In other words, he doesn't cut corners. What is especially helpful are three sections at the end of each unit. There is a set of reflections and questions, which summarize helpfully the elements of the section. Then there are questions for those who read, teach, and preach. In other words, discussion questions. Finally a set of further readings. Those readings helpfully expand the conversation.
So, if your shelf needs another commentary, check it out!
So, we have before us the commentary by Michael Gorman, the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore. He's a widely published author and I had the opportunity to hear him present on kenosis and cruciformity at a conference. He is a highly accomplished biblical scholar with a strong theological and pastoral sense of understanding. It is that component of this commentary that merits its consideration.
This is first and foremost a commentary with an eye on the theological and pastoral concerns. Thus, it is the kind of commentary that preachers and bible study teachers will find useful. It's not a word-for-word or even verse-by-verse commentary. While Greek and Hebrew words are lifted up and explained, this is not an exegetical commentary -- Cranfield is probably still a standard there.. So, instead, Gorman focuses on what he calls "discourse units" along with the theological content and significance of those units (p. xviii).
Gorman devotes a little over fifty pages of this commentary of 300 pages on first introducing Paul, including looking at his theology with a focus on the human condition and the divine response to that condition, the death and resurrection of Jesus, Jesus as Lord and the Gift of the Spirit, the human response to the Gospel and finally Paul's spirituality. That's Paul as a person. Then he spends about thirty pages of this introductory section focusing specifically on the letter itself, including the story behind the letter, the shape of the letter, and the story within the letter (here he deals with among other things participation in Christ and God's peace and justice). There is then a conversation about the story in front of the letter, dealing with the church's mission, ecumenical relations, and interfaith relations. Regarding the last concern, he addresses the idea that the gospel is for Gentiles and not Jews, such that Jews are not expected to confess faith in Jesus as messiah. He rejects that idea. He does not see this as replacement but does believe that Paul envisioned Jews ultimately embracing Jesus. He deals with this in greater detail in his commentary on chapters 9-11.
He of course addresses the whole question of justification and what that means. He challenges Luther's view of justification of faith being primary and sees participation in Christ as central. He writes that "the commentary will show that justification is not simply about being forgiven or pronounced righteous, but about being made just/righteous. This is often thought to be a Catholic rather than a Protestant view of justirication. As a Protestant, however, I contend that it is a Pauline view of justification." (p. 43).
Then comes the commentary, which takes up the remaining 250 pages of text. It's hard to describe a commentary except to speak to tone and coverage. Gorman writes as a Protestant who teaches at a Catholic seminary and university. I would say that he leans evangelical but it is an open perspective as seen in how he deals with justification and righteousness. I appreciated his discussion of Romans 13, noting that Paul's concern there was paying taxes and not supporting the imperial government. On the question of sexuality, including same-sex relationships, he discusses a range of positions but ultimately comes down on the side of maintaining traditional readings, though he advises humility in doing so. I already noted that he sees the overall message of Romans as dealing with the relationship of Jews and Gentiles within the congregation. In Gorman's mind, Paul may be focusing on reaching Gentiles, but he also embraces of sharing the Gospel with fellow Jews. I find myself struggling with this question, but he provides a helpful discussion that is worth considering.
Overall, I found the commentary to be useful and helpful. It's accessible and yet scholarly in orientation. In other words, he doesn't cut corners. What is especially helpful are three sections at the end of each unit. There is a set of reflections and questions, which summarize helpfully the elements of the section. Then there are questions for those who read, teach, and preach. In other words, discussion questions. Finally a set of further readings. Those readings helpfully expand the conversation.
So, if your shelf needs another commentary, check it out!
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August 22, 2025Good commentary. In the two books I've read from him so far, I've really appreciated Gorman's seriousness, his charity, and his focus on both the breadth of meaning and the clarity of the gospel in Scripture.
July 17, 2023
Michael Gorman is brilliant in the sense that he can combine scholarly work and pastoral care in this amazing commentary.
October 26, 2023
Para entender lo actual en torno a la carta a Romanos y el pensamiento Paulino.
February 25, 2024
Great commentary on Romans. Gorman’s emphasis on cruciformity is challenging and faithful to what Paul is writing about. Could not recommend this commentary more!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews