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
