The Epistle to the

ROMANS

A Commentary on the Greek Text

Richard N. Longenecker

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan

© 2016 Richard N. Longenecker

All rights reserved

Published 2016 by

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Longenecker, Richard N.

The Epistle to the Romans: a commentary on the Greek text / Richard N. Longenecker.

pages cm. — (The New International Greek Testament commentary)

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-8028-2448-6 (cloth: alk. paper)

1. Bible. Romans — Commentaries. I. Title.

BS2665.53.L66 2015

227′.107 — dc23

2015030832

www.eerdmans.com

THE NEW INTERNATIONAL GREEK TESTAMENT COMMENTARY

Editors

I. Howard Marshall

and

Donald A. Hagner

The Epistle to the

ROMANS

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Abbreviations

Bibliography of Selected Commentaries and Commentary Materials

Bibliography of Supplemental Monographs, Articles, and Other Materials

INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMENTARY

1. Romans vis-à-vis Paul’s Other Letters

2. Major Critical Issues in the Study of Romans

3. Distinctive Exegetical Treatments of the Present Commentary

4. Prominent Thematic Features of the Present Commentary

5. The Greek Textual Tradition of Romans

COMMENTARY PROPER

The Opening Sections of the Letter

I. Salutation (1:1–7)

II. Thanksgiving (1:8–12)

The Body Sections of the Letter

A. Body Opening

III. A Brief Introduction to Paul’s Protreptic Message (1:13–15)

B. Body Middle

IV. Section I: Righteousness, Faithfulness, and Faith (1:16–4:25)

Part One of Section I (1:16–3:20)

1. Thesis Statement on Righteousness, Faithfulness, and Faith (1:16–17)

2. God’s Wrath against Human Rebellion, Idolatry, and Debauchery (1:18–32)

3. God’s Condemnation of All Who Sin Is Just and Impartial (2:1–16)

4. Denunciations of Jews and Jewish Failures (2:17–29)

5. The Situation of the Jews before God (3:1–20)

Part Two of Section I (3:21–4:25)

6. The Thesis Statement Developed, Supported, and Elucidated (3:21–31)

7. The Example of Abraham with Respect to Righteousness and Faith (4:1–24)

8. Concluding Early Christian Confessional Statement (4:25)

V. Section II: Peace, Reconciliation, and Life “in Christ” (5:1–8:39)

1. Transitional and Thesis Passage on “Peace” and “Reconciliation” (5:1–11)

2. The Universal and Foundational Redemptive Story: What Jesus Christ Effected vis-à-vis What Adam Brought About (5:12–21)

3. Three Important Questions, with an Interjected Illustration and Statement (6:1–7:13)

Question One: “Should We Continue in Sin So That Grace May Increase?” (6:1–14)

Question Two: “Should We Sin Because We Are Not under the Law but under Grace?” (6:15–23)

Interjected Illustration on the Extent of the Authority of the Mosaic Law and Statement regarding a Christian’s Freedom from the Law (7:1–6)

Question Three: “Is the Law Sin?” (7:7–13)

4. Soliloquy on the Tragic Plight of Those Who Attempt to Live Their Lives Apart from God, “under Their Own Steam” (7:14–25)...