New Testament, Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul 

The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries 

Outside of the Gospels themselves, there is no single Christian document whose influence has been greater than Paul’s epistle to the Romans. Its explosive character has changed lives—Augustine’s, Martin Luther’s, Karl Barth’s, to name a few—and precipitated revolutions.

This full-scale commentary deals with the most important issues of the early Christian church. And it is through the eyes of the apostle Paul, the major figure of this period, that we see dominant motifs and themes, the theological essentials of the Christian faith. Who better than the once pious Jew, converted to the Christian cause, to tell the reader about the early struggles with Judaism, the reluctant yet nurturing mother of this new community of faith?

This volume is aimed primarily at Christians, because the letter to the Romans is a part of their canon of Holy Scripture. But it is equally valuable for all those who have an interest in learning about one of the most important letters ever written by anyone, and in understanding the world-shaking movement of which it was an essential part, and to which it gave powerful impetus. 

Introduction (1:1–15)
Doctrinal Section: God’s Gospel of Jesus Christ Our Lord (1:16–11:36)
Through the Gospel the Uprightness of God Is Revealed as Justifying People of Faith (1:16–4:25)
The Love of God Further Assures Salvation to Those Justified by Faith (5:1–8:39)
This Justification and Salvation through Faith Do Not Contradict God’s Promises to Israel of Old (9:1–11:36)
Hortatory Section: The Demands of Upright Life in Christ (12:1–15:13)
Spirit-Guided Christian Life Must Be Worship Paid to God (12:1–13:14)
The Duty of Love Owed by the Strong in the Community to the Weak (14:1–15:13)
Paul’s Plans, Coming Task, and Request for Prayers (15:14–33)
Conclusion: Letter of Recommendation for Phoebe and Greetings to Roman Christians (16:1–23)
Doxology (16:25–27)