ROMANS

Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary

General Editors

T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, Andreas J. Köstenberger

Assistant Editors

James M. Hamilton, Kenneth A. Mathews, Terry L. Wilder

David G. Peterson

Romans

Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary

Copyright 2020 David G. Peterson

Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

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ISBN 9781683594277

Library of Congress Control Number 2020941696

General Editors: T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, Andreas J. Köstenberger

Assistant Editors: James M. Hamilton, Kenneth A. Mathews, Terry L. Wilder

CONTENTS

General Editors’ Preface

Dedication

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

I. Character

A. The Epistolary Framework

B. The Body of the Letter

II. Structure and Argument

A. Thematic Approaches

B. Rhetorical and Epistolary Studies

C. A New Approach

1. Alternation

2. Refrain

3. Progression/Digression

4. Recursion

D. Conclusions about Structure

III. Purpose

A. Jews in First-Century Rome

B. Roman Christianity

C. The Issue in 14:1–15:13

D. Paul’s Future Mission

IV. Continuing Relevance

V. Outline

Biblical and Theological Themes

§1 Romans and the Story Line of the Bible

§1.1 Creation, Sin, and Judgment

§1.2 God’s Promises to Abraham and His Offspring

§1.3 Israel and God’s Electing Grace

§1.4 Israel and the Law

§1.5 Israel’s Failure and God’s Judgment

§1.6 Promises of Ultimate Deliverance

§2 Other Significant Themes

§2.1 The Gospel

§2.2 The Scriptures

§2.3 God as Trinity

§2.4 Righteousness and Justification

§2.5 Israel and the Church

§2.6 Worship, Sanctification, and Holy Living

§2.7 Apostolic Ministry

Exposition

I. Paul’s Desire to Minister to the Romans (1:1–17)

A. Introduction and Greeting (1:1–7)

B. Thanksgiving, Prayer, and Thematic Introduction (1:8–17)

II. God’s Righteous Judgment against Sin Revealed (1:18–32)

III. Judgment and Identity: Revealing the True Children of God (2:1–3:20)

A. God’s Impartiality in Judgment (2:1–16)

B. Misplaced Confidence (2:17–29)

C. God’s Righteousness in Judgment (3:1–20)

IV. God’s Saving Righteousness Revealed: The Redemptive Sacrifice That Makes Justification Possible (3:21–26)

V. God’s Saving Righteousness Revealed: Faith, Not Law, the Defining Characteristic of God’s People (3:27–4:25)

VI. The Fruit of Justification: Present and Future (5:1–11)

VII. Adam’s Transgression and Christ’s Gift: Grace, Not Law, the Source of Life (5:12–21)

VIII. Dying and Rising with Christ: Freed from Sin’s Penalty to Be Slaves to God and to Righteousness (6:1–23)

IX. Released from the Law to Serve God in the New Way of the Spirit (7:1–25)

X. The New Way of the Spirit: Life and Adoption, Perseverance and Hope (8:1–39)

A. Life and Adoption through the Spirit (8:1–17)

B. Perseverance and Hope (8:18–39)

XI....