Choosing a Commentary
A review of New Testament Resources
Lynn Gardner

Copyright 2006
College Press Publishing Co
ISB 0-89900-943-3

The commentary with an asterisk (*) preceding the author’s name represents my personal choice of a commentary in that category.  In a few cases two books will be marked with an * within a category. In some categories no preference is indicated.

ROMANS

Basic

Bruce, F.F. Romans, rev. ed. (Tyndale New Testament Commentary). Eerdmans, 1985, pb., 274 pg., $14.00.

“General exposition of Romans from the most famous evangelical Pauline scholar.” Moo (2002)

“Good, entrance level.” Marshall, Travis & Paul

“Repays study.” Carson

Helpful to follow the flow of Paul’s argument.

 

*Moo, Douglas. Encountering the Book of Romans: A Theological Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies). Baker, 2002, pb., 230 pg., $2 1.99.

“Attempts to take more technical arguments of his commentaries and put them into layman’s terms in order to inform the college level student. This goal is achieved in part by the format of the book and in part by the clear concise writing of Moo . . .. A good starter into Romans and well worth the money.” Smith

Clarifies two contemporary approaches to understanding Romans. Helps the reader see that the deep theology and practical advice have the ultimate purpose of glorifying God. Designed for the classroom with key terms, chapter objectives, chapter outlines, study questions, sidebars, and illustrations.

 

*Cottrell, Jack. Romans (NIV Commentary Series). College Press, 2005, 559 pg., $36.99.

Cottrell’s two volumes (listed later) condensed into one volume by Terry Chaney. Includes a CD that includes all material contained in the two-volume work.

 

Wright, Tom. Paul for Everyone: Romans, Part One and Paul for Everyone: Romans, Part Two. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, pb., 192 and 176 pg., $14.95 each.

“To the point … well grounded in scholarship, accessible and intensely contemporary.” Brueggemann

Wright’s own translation. Each passage followed by useful discussion of text and thoughts of the relevance of the text to our day.

 

Intermediate

 

Moo, Douglas J. Romans (NIV Application Commentary). Zondervan, 2000, 544 pg., $27 .99.

“This is one of the better volumes in this series. It does a great job in giving the preacher/teacher the essence of what the epistle says, in quite simple prose, and also provides good insights into how evangelical interpreters have applied the text.” Reformation and Revival

 

Stott, John. The Message of Romans (The Bible Speaks Today). InterVarsity, 1994, 432 pg., $16.00.

“Fine exposition.” Carson

“Excellent exposition with clear and valuable application.” Moo (2002)

“Exposition and modern application by a master.” Marshall, Travis & Poul

In response to the “new perspective” Stott concludes “that Paul did hold the view that the Judaism of his day taught that one could attain righteousness through keeping the law (p. 30).” Footnotes contain more biblical support for his points than for interaction with other sources. ” His analyses are judicious, well-defended and clearly stated.” ” For a manageable one-volume treatment of the message of Romans, one could hardly do better than listen to this Anglican brother.” Klein

Solid exposition of the text, helpful to the preacher. Stott views Romans from the perspective of his own pastoral and missionary ministry.

 

Osborne, Grant R. Romans (IVP New Testament Commentary). lnterVarsity, 2004, 447 pg., $23.00.

“An Arminian approach to the divine sovereignty-human responsibiIity tensions in Romans.” “Osborne bet ieves a ‘ national revival ‘ is predicted for Israel in Rom 11 :25-26.” He “does not embrace the notion of spiritual gift impartation at Rom l : 11 or speaking in tongues at Rom 8:26.” “Offers little help to the preacher in finding contemporary application.” ” It is useful, trustworthy, and godly in tone.” Chon

“Osborne’s goal is to take the best of exegetical work and scholarship on Romans and make it accessible to pastors and laypeople through an uninterrupted commentary on the text. . .. Hence, the main text is unencumbered with footnotes or technical issues and does, indeed, read quite smoothly.” “Very useful, thought-provoking, pastoral, and reasonably priced commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Romans that serves quite well it’s evangelical and conservative audience.” Romsoron

 

Mounce, Robert H. Romans (New American Commentary 27). Broadman and Holman, 1995, 301 pg., $27.99.

“Especially synthetic flow.” Glynn

“Sensible and workmanlike, but not exciting.” Carson “The reader is brought quickly to the meaning of the text in language that is easy, even delightful to read. Evidence of the scholarship that brought the author to the meaning may be found in the footnotes. . .. sensitivity to the spiritual implications of the text.” Wessel

Does not interact with the ‘new perspective’ on Paul. Strength in “its clarity and conciseness” yet at times at the “expense of sufficient explanation and defense.” “Prior to God’s foreknowledge … came God’s decree or determination of whom he would save (8:29-30). Yet the sovereign freedom of God to elect whom he wills does not set aside human responsibility (9: 14-18).” All ethnic Israel will be saved prior to Christ’s return. Klein

 

Cranfield, C.E.B. Romans: A Shorter Commentary. Eerdmans, 1985, pb., 406 pg., $22.00.

Abridgement and simplification of his two-volume work without the Greek text and technical material. From a critical viewpoint.

 

Barrett, C.K. The Epistle to the Romans, rev. ed. (Black’s New Testament Commentary). Hendricksen, 1991 , 304 pg., $29.95.

“Classic, middle-length commentary.” Marshall, Travis & Paul

“Brief but direct exposition by a noted British scholar.” Moo (2002)

 

*Cottrell, Jack. Romans, 2 vols. (NIV NT Commentary Series). College Press, 1996, 1998, 525 pg. and 499 pg., $32.99 each.

“Probably the best entry in this series. Cottrell is more of a theologian than an exegete, and sometimes that shows.” Carson

“Emphasis on the theological significance of the text.” Weatherly

“Consistent anti-Calvinist, pro-Restorationist.” After disagreeing  with Cottrell on several matters Blomberg said, “As a sympathetic ‘ outsider’ to many Restorationist commitments (a ‘Calminian’ Baptist), I was pleasantly surprised to find more consistency and plausibility to Cottrell ‘s overall theological perspectives than I had anticipated.” Blomberg (2000)

Valuable, thorough study.

 

Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans (Pillar New Testament Commentary). Eerdmans, 1988, 590 pg., $40.00 .

“Solid exposition from a broad evangelical viewpoint.” Moo (2002)

“A workmanlike commentary in traditional mold. Its strength is the seriousness with which it takes the text; its weakness is its failure to grapple with the tenor of Pauline studies since E.P. Sanders.” Carson

“Concise and readable.” Weatherly

“A carefully crafted, clearly expressed exposition of Romans from which specialist and non-specialist alike can benefit.” Journal of Biblical Literature

 

*Moo, Douglas. The Epistle to the Romans (New International Commentary of the New Testament). Eerdmans, 1996, I 037 pg., $60.00.

“For those looking for a complete, scholarly, reverent treatment of the text of Romans, I recommend this work as one of the best available.” ” I appreciate the thoroughness and clarity with which Moo handles the text.” “Scholarly treatment of the Greek text, though most of the technical discussion is in the footnotes.” “My most serious disagreement is with Moo’s Calvinism.” Cottrell

“Incredibly deep and able both on exegetical and theological issues. A masterful commentary which interacts with virtually every significant issue.” Osborne

” Probably the best Romans commentary now available in English.” ” Its introduction is thin, but Moo exhibits extraordinary good sense in his exegesis. No less important, his is the first commentary to cull which is useful from the ‘ new perspective’ on Paul while nevertheless criticizing many of the perspective’s exegetical and theological stances. The combination of the strong exegesis and the rigorous interaction makes the work superior.” Carson

“Thorough discussion from an evangelical with a traditional view of Paul’s theology.” Weatherly

Solid, deep and helpful comments.

 

*Schreiner, Thomas. Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Baker, 1998, 944 pg., $49.99. Semi-technical, but extraordinarily lucid. Glynn

“A fine, balanced treatment combining exegesis with solid theological insight. An important response to the ‘new perspective’ approach to Romans.” Moo (2002)

“An exemplary commentary . . .. It will take its place among the best commentaries on Romans currently available.” Hagner

“Masterful exegetical commentary.” Reformation and Revival

 

Godet, Frederic Louis. Commentary on Romans. Kregel, 1977 reprint of 1879 ed., 530 pg.

“An excellent representative of the older tradition of careful exegetical and logical analysis. Especially important for its Arminian perspective.” Moo (2000)

 

Sanday, W. and A.C. Headlam. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, 51 ” ed. (International Critical Commentary). T. & T. Clark, 1902, 450 pg., $39.95.

Classic commentary. “Good representative of the older critical approach, with brief exegetical and textual comments but with little theology or logical analysis.” Moo (2000)

 

Cranfield, C.E.B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, 2 vols. (New International Critical Commentary). T&T Clark, 1975, 1979, 444 and 483 pg., $49.95 each, pb., $25.95 each (Continuum Intl Pub Group).

“Another masterful commentary, exceedingly capable in every way.” Osborne

“Now slightly dated but still very important.” “Occasionally Cranfield seems more influenced by Barth than by Paul, but for thoughtful exegesis of the Greek text, with a careful weighing of alternative positions, there is nothing quite like it.” Carson

“One of the most detailed commentaries in the modern era on the Greek text of Romans. Important for careful analysis of alternatives and marked by a Bartian theological stance.” Moo (2002)

“Thorough discussion of the Greek text.” Weatherly

One of “the really great commentaries on Romans.” Bruce

“Traditional exegesis of the Greek text.” Marshall, Travis & Paul

Careful grammatical analysis. Written before the “new perspective.”

 

Dunn, J.D.G. Romans, 2 vols. (Word Biblical Commentary 38A and 38B). Nelson: 1988, 976 pg., $39.99 each.

“Thorough discussion of the Greek text with consideration for the most recent research on Paul plus Dunn’s own idiosyncratic views.” Weatherly

“Applies the theology of E.P. Sanders to the book of Romans. An excellent critical study, but not as well done as Cranfield or Moo.” Osborne

“Detailed work from the ‘new perspective’ on Paul and Judaism.” Marshall, Travis & Paul

Not listed in book

Reese, Gareth L., New Testament Epistles – Romans, A Commentary, 769 pages; $35.00 thecra.org

These commentaries are a great resource for the study of New Testament history and have been adapted in many Bible colleges as a textbook. The Bible notes are excellent and clear, and the numerous special studies bring valuable information to the forefront that seldom makes it into a single volume.