Table of Contents

Introduction 1

The Background of Paul's Thought 4

The Shape of Paul's Thought 7

History as the Relationship Between Creator and Creation 15

Romans as a Letter 18

The Structure of Romans 19

The Structure of This Commentary 22

Outline of Romans 25

Commentary

Part 1 God's Lordship and the Problem of the Past: Grace and Wrath 27

Romans 1:1-4:22

1:1-13 Introduction and Opening Remarks 28

The Gospel and God's Wrath (1:14-3:20) 34

1:14-2:16 Universal Sin and Its Consequences 34

2:17-3:18 The Jews Are Included, Despite the Law 49

3:9-20 Conclusion: Universal Sin 58

Reflection: Righteousness in Romans 61

The Gospel and God's Grace (3:21-4:22) 66

3:21-30 Christ and the Answer to Universal Sin: Universal Faith 67

Reflection: Paul's Dialogical Mode of Argument 73

3:31-4:22 Abraham and Intimations of Faith 76

Part 2 God's Lordship and the Problem of the Present: Grace and Law 87

Romans 4:23-8:39 87

Sin and Grace: Adam and Christ (4:23-5:21) 89

4:23-5:11 Present Grace and Reconciliation 89

5:12-21 Adam and Christ: Disobedience and Obedience 95

Sin, Grace, and Law (6:1-7:25) 102

6:1-14 Sin and Grace (Baptism) 103

6:15-7:6 Law and Grace (Enslavement, Good and Bad) 108

7:7-25 Law and Sin (From the Perspective of Grace) 118

Reflection: The Law and Paul's Conversion 126

The Spirit and the Surety of Grace (8:1-39) 130

8:1-17 The Spirit and the Flesh 131

8:18-30 The Spirit and the Future 141

8:31-39 The Spirit and Christian Assurance 148

Part 3 God's Lordship and the Problem of the Future: Israel and God's Gracious Plan 153

Romans 9:1-11:36 153

God's Grace and Israel's Rejection (9:1-29) 154

9:1-13 God's Word and God's People 155

9:14-29 God's Grace and God's People 159

Grace, Faith, and the Purpose of Law (9:30-10:21) 166

9:30-10:13 Law and Faith 167

10:14-21 Proclamation and Faith 172

Israel and Her Future with God (11:1-36) 177

11:1-12 Israel and God's Plan 178

11:13-24 The Olive Tree: The History of Grace 182

11:25-36 God's Plan Is Grace for All 187

Part 4 God's Lordship and the Problems of Daily Living: Grace and the Structures of Life 193

Romans 12:1-16:27

Grace and the Community (12:1-21) 194

12:1-2 The Structuring Power of Grace 195

12:3-13 Grace and the Christian Community 196

12:14-21 Grace and the Secular Community 200

13:1-7 Grace and the State 203

Grace and the Neighbor: Love in Action (13:8-14) 207

13:8-10 The Neighbor and the Actuality of Love 208

13:10-14 The Neighbor and the Dawning Day 210

Grace and Unity in the Faith: The Weak and the Strong (14:1-15:13) 214

14:1-12 Unity and the Problem of Self-righteousness 215

14:13-23 Unity and the Priority of Responsibilities Over Rights 219

15:1-13 Unity and the Servanthood of Christ 223

15:14-33 Grace and Paul's Apostolic Plan 228

Reflection: Chapter 16 and Paul's Letter to Rome 233

16:1-27 Greetings and Summation 237

Bibliography 243