Within the next six months or so three new commentaries will be published on Paul's Letter to the Romans. One of the indulgences of semi retirement (am I allowed to use that word 'indulgence' when writing about Paul's diplomatic letter that precipitated the theological crisis of the Reformation and gave birth to the slogan 'justification by faith?) – in any case, having the freedom and time to read mostly what interests me, I now regularly read biblical commentaries. So three new commentaries on Romans is a bit of a cumulative event. (September 2021, IVP, 544 pp)
The forthcoming Tyndale commentary on Romans is by David Garland. He has already produced a number of highly rated commentaries, most of which I've used, and one, on Second Corinthians, I have read through. The new Tyndale will replace the compact, sensible and loved commentary by F F Bruce. I look forward to working through this replacement, which will be twice the length of its predecessor. (September 2021, IVP, 544pp)
Frederick Dale Bruner's commentary style is very different from the standard approaches of academic historical-critical, rhetorical and literary commentary. His two previous commentaries, on Matthew and John, are each a massive vade mecum of history of interpretation, exposition, exegetical reflection and pastoral comment. His commentary on Romans is similar in style and very different in scale. The Gospel of John came in at 1270 pages, and Matthew in 2 volumes totals 1470; Romans will be 232 pages. That will make it much more manageable, and it will be interesting to find out who his main conversation partners have been from the Romans commentary hall of fame. I have my own favourites, but will enjoy someone else's selection of significant voices. Given the ferment and flux in Pauline studies in the past 40 years, this must have been a master class in distillation. (Oct 2021, Eerdmans, 232pp))
In the Spring, and before Easter, Michael Gorman's theological and pastoral commentary on Romans will be published. Gorman is one of the leading contemporary Pauline scholars whose work over 20 years has increasingly focused on "participation and transformation, cruciformity and new life, peace and justice, community and mission." (text from publisher's advance notice)
It would be fair to say many of us have longed for work like this from Professor Gorman. Amongst other things, this commentary must have compelled Gorman to re-examine and consolidate much of his work to date in the light of a definitive text that is redolent with the very themes on which he has spent his academic career. If similar treatments of 2 Corinthians and Philippians were forthcoming, that would certainly sort out future birthday and Christmas gifts – as we say in Scotland, "If I'm spared!" (March 2022, Eerdmans, 352ppp))
As it is, I look forward to diving in at the deep end of the pool that is Romans, a kind of baptism into the text, to emerge the better of the swim.
Leave a Reply