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Michael J. Gorman
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Romans: A Theological and Pastoral Commentary Hardcover – March 31, 2022

by Michael J. Gorman (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
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 “Above all, Romans is a letter about Spirit-enabled participation and transformation in Christ and his story, and thus in the mission of God in the world.” 

This commentary engages the letter to the Romans as Christian scripture and highlights the Pauline themes for which Michael Gorman is best known—participation and transformation, cruciformity and new life, peace and justice, community and mission. With extensive introductions both to the apostle Paul and to the letter itself, Gorman offers background information on Paul’s first-century context before proceeding into the rich theological landscape of the biblical text. 

In line with Paul’s focus on Christian living, Gorman interprets Romans at a consistently practical level, highlighting the letter’s significance for Christian theology, daily life, and pastoral ministry. Questions for reflection and sidebars on important concepts make this especially useful for those preparing to preach or teach from Romans—the “epistle of life,” as Gorman calls it, for its extraordinary promise that, through faith, we might walk in newness of life with Christ.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    349 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Eerdmans
  4. Publication date
    March 31, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6.1 x 1.4 x 9.1 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0802877621
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0802877628
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Journal for the Study of the New Testament Booklist
“Gorman’s practical reflections and questions for pondering further will be particularly helpful for teachers and pastors.”

Review of Biblical Literature
“Michael Gorman’s commentary is well-written and based on a lifetime of study and teaching of Paul’s letters. It will be very effective in undergraduate, seminary, and church groups who wish to engage with Paul’s letter to the Romans in a faith-filled way.”

“Michael Gorman’s commentary on Romans faithfully illuminates the Apostle Paul’s complex proclamation of the gospel. While carefully explaining different possible interpretations, Gorman sets forth his own powerful reading of the letter: that it is a proclamation of the life-giving, life-transforming justice of God, as well as an urgent invitation to participate in the new community created by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Gorman, a master teacher, provides a rich historical and theological exposition, never losing sight of the question of what matters for Christian communities today. This commentary belongs on the desk of everyone whose vocation is to preach and teach the gospel.”
— Richard B. Hays
Duke University

“Michael Gorman is that rare scholar of eminent distinction who is willing to read the Pauline letters as Christian scripture. His approach is ecumenically sensitive, appealing to what Protestants and Catholics hold in common. And his analysis reprises the great themes for which he is justly famous: participation, cruciformity, transformation, and mission. Widely accessible, this commentary will be useful (on the one hand) to scholars, teachers, and preachers, and (on the other) to interested lay readers.”
— Scott Hahn
Franciscan University of Steubenville

“Michael Gorman’s commentary on Romans is an accessible and enriching journey into Paul’s most important letter. Gorman offers a cogent and compelling approach to the letter, full of great insights and details, in order to help pastors and students come to grips with Paul’s most famous text. This is Gorman at his exegetical best!”
— Michael F. Bird
Ridley College, Melbourne

“As one expects from Michael Gorman, this commentary is theologically rich as well as spiritually inviting and edifying. It is accessible and practical yet well-informed. Aware of debates and engaging controversial questions, where necessary, Gorman remains characteristically generous and Christ-focused.”
— Craig S. Keener
Asbury Theological Seminary

“Gorman christens Paul’s letter to the Romans ‘the epistle of life,’ a message of God’s saving grace that creates multicultural, cruciform communities in Christ. Gorman’s conversational style, accessible interpretations, and penetrating reflections unlock Paul’s message, inviting readers to participate in God’s missional work to pursue peace and justice in the church and among all peoples.”
— Lynn H. Cohick
Northern Seminary

“Michael Gorman reads Romans as a manifesto about participating in the life of God. The audience for this accessible commentary, like Paul’s original audience, is the community of believers, not just scholars. Since Gorman reads Romans as Christian scripture, we encounter the letter as a living document for the church today, and he leads us to encounter and embody God’s grace in Christ and through the Spirit.”
— Ben C. Blackwell
Houston Theological Seminary

“This commentary is a splendid example of one of today’s leading Pauline scholars engaging Romans as Christian scripture. Although geared toward students rather than scholars, it is thoroughly informed by recent scholarship on Paul and his first-century context. It offers an exceedingly clear and accessible participationist reading of Romans that is theologically, pastorally, and missionally insightful. Its helpful introduction to Paul’s life and theology and frequent summaries that help its reader not to lose sight of the forest for the trees make this the ideal classroom commentary. It will be on my Romans syllabus for the foreseeable future.”
— Andy Johnson
Nazarene Theological Seminary

“Michael Gorman’s commentary on Romans shows why he is recognized as one of the most distinguished Pauline scholars in America today. Written for a wider audience, it explains the pastoral, theological, and spiritual dimensions of Paul’s most important letter for the church of our day. Eminently readable, always insightful, this commentary accomplishes what few have done: it makes Paul’s message accessible and relevant to the lives of everyday believers.”
— Frank J. Matera
The Catholic University of America

About the Author

 

Michael J. Gorman holds the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he has taught since 1991. A highly regarded New Testament scholar, he has also written Cruciformity, Inhabiting the Cruciform God, Becoming the Gospel, and Apostle of the Crucified Lord, among other significant works.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Eerdmans (March 31, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802877621
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802877628
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.35 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 1.4 x 9.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

About the author

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Michael J. Gorman

Michael J. Gorman

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Michael J. Gorman is the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, where he has taught since 1991. He is a New Testament scholar who specializes especially in the letters, theology, and spirituality of the apostle Paul. His additional specialties are the gospel of John, the book of Revelation, theological and missional interpretation of Scripture, and early Christian ethics. In addition, he has a strong interest in the relationship between church and culture. From 1994 to 2012 he was Dean of St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute.

He earned his B.A. degree summa cum laude in French from Gordon College in Massachusetts. He received the M.Div. and the Ph.D. cum laude in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, where he was also a teaching fellow in New Testament and an instructor in New Testament Greek. He has also been a visiting professor at Duke Divinity School, Regent College, Wesley Theological Seminary, Mars Hill Graduate School, and Grand Séminaire Notre Dame de l'Esperance in Cameroon.

He is the author of nearly 20 books and numerous articles on biblical interpretation and on ethics. An avid traveler, he has also led numerous study trips to the cities of the apostles Paul and John in Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Michael Gorman was the 2005 recipient of The Fortress Press Award for Innovative Teaching in Graduate Schools and Seminaries, theological education's "teacher of the year" award. He also sits on several editorial councils and other professional committees. A United Methodist, he is an active layperson and a popular teacher at churches, institutions of higher education, and conferences representing many traditions, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
37 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Pseudo D
5.0 out of 5 stars epistle of life
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2022
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Dr. Gorman now has his own Romerbrief, a milestone for any scholar or theologian. While there
is some reference to Barth, the greater inspiration appears to be Bonhoeffer, with the notion of
costly grace as opposed to cheap grace. Gorman has now put into written form my favorite Scripture
course, with another 16+ years to form his reflections.

He begins with context for St. Paul in general and the letter to the Romans in particular, which
is covered more extensively in other books such as Apostle of the Crucified Lord. He is writing
primarily for pastors and laypeople in pastoral ministry, although it's for everyone, including
fellow scholars. He is not mainly responding to other scholars, but N.T. Wright is certainly an
influence, with his massive study Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Gorman's method emphasizes
what should be an obvious point, that Romans is Christian Scripture. It has an original audience,
but it is for all Christians or believers, including for ourselves. He doesn't go verse by verse, but
in units about a chapter long, while not always corresponding to the traditional chapters. This
broad method is summarized in his wonderful dedication: "For the Church".

The larger units are basically chapters 1-4, 5-8, 9-11, and 12-14, with brief discussion of 15 and
16. Both Jews and Gentiles are guilty and in need of salvation and justification. The discussion of
justification in chapter 3 includes the debate on "the faith of Jesus Christ" instead of "faith in
Jesus Christ". Sin is capitalized, "Sin", because it is not an individual act, but a pervasive reality
akin to slavery or addiction. Addiction is not a sin, but Sin is like addiction. Chapters 5 to 8 are
the deep theological reflection on life in Christ and the Spirit. Familiar Gorman themes are
emphasized like participation "in Christ", transformation, mission, justice and nonviolence.
An important emphasis is on the obedience of faith, so that faith is not just belief or trust
but requires actual obedience. The famous chapter 7 with the analysis of the "I" struggling
with sinful behavior is relevant as always.

Chapters 9-11 show that the Gentiles have no reason to boast or to feel superior. Gorman
applies this multicultural challenge of ancient Rome to the tasks of ecumenism and interfaith
dialogue. Chapters 12 on are not anticlimactic, but are the point of the letter. Just as the
Gospel of John is the Gospel of Life, Romans is the Epistle of Life. There are discussions of
the controversial chapter 13 on the government, where believers are to be subversive of
the powers that be, but not revolutionary because nonviolent. There is also a thoughtful
analysis of chapter 1, where the discussion in modernity is focused on sexuality, but that
is not the main point.
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David et al
4.0 out of 5 stars Not awful but far too much from the political left
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
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I was pretty excited when I received this commentary. I had just finished Scot McKnight's "Reading Romans Backwards" and have previously read Craig Keener's "Romans" (New Covenant Commentary Series).

The first two chapters ("Introducing Paul" and "Introducing Romans") which constitute the introduction to the commentary, are very good. They give an evenhanded introduction to interpretations of Paul and Romans that expose the reader to many perspectives without being very critical of any one perspective. There is some emphasis on the New Perspective on Paul (NPP), which the author more or less embraces and which colors (for better or worse, depending on what you believe) a significant portion of the commentary.

Much of the body of the commentary, excluding the "Reflections and Questions" sections, is likewise not bad, somewhat devotional/pastoral rather than strictly academic (but does alert the reader to significant academic disputes, at least on their first appearances if not thereafter), and I appreciate Gorman's emphasis on the transformational power of the Gospel and its efficacy for life now, not merely in a distant future. Sometimes, perhaps due in part to its devotional/pastoral tone, the commentary can feel a bit fluffy, saying things that seem nice and are probably biblical but might not be strictly exegeted from the immediate text. I find this quality kind of annoying for a commentary. Admittedly, my own current biases might make me overly critical of this point (I'm tired, lately, of feeling that an author might be spoon-feeding me unempirical theology when my appetite—for better or worse—is for base facts combined with intellectual honesty) so I want to be careful not to disparage the commentary severely for this.

My primary misgiving is with the "Reflections and Questions" sections located at the end of each passage. Sometimes they were fine. Other times they embodied a politically "left" point of view, rarely or never a politically "right" one. For someone who has lived a little on both sides of the aisle at different times in his life (I'm speaking of myself), the author's political persuasion comes through clearly. The author skews the potential applications for the Scripture consistently toward applications that favor a politically left worldview. If these were balanced with other applications that favored a politically right worldview, targeting each somewhat more equally, I would have less of an issue. Such is not the case.

For example, there are many, many applications to issues of racial justice—which is certainly (I say it again: certainly) a relevant topic of application for the book of Romans—but the commentary treats these contemporary issues very naïvely. To be yet more specific, for example, the commentary separately mentions the death of George Floyd and the Jan. 6 capitol attack, but treats these issues incredibly naïvely, accepting a simplistic liberal mainstream (dare I say "woke"?) point of view of these events, without acknowledging the real complexity of such recent events nor the double-sided nature of how the Scripture is likely to confront BOTH sides of the debate on these issues. I could go on to note other such eye-roll-eliciting naïveté, and convenient omissions, from the commentary's "Reflections and Questions" sections.

(Perhaps it is appropriate to acknowledge that the author is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and the book was published in 2022. Thus, I can only imagine that the events of January 6, 2021, might have been particularly visceral for the author.)

All in all, I felt that the commentary was not awful, but also not as good as it could have been, both due to its sometimes "fluffy" nature and to its political bent, but could be useful for those looking to understand Romans more deeply, especially from a participationist perspective, or who want to understand the NPP's approach to Romans without an overwhelming load of technicality. It has inspired me, personally, to read Romans as inspired Scripture—"profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16)—and as declaring a message that brings life because of what Jesus did.

I might give it a 3.5/5 stars.
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richard s. kurzdorfer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great theological commentary. Great conclusions
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2023
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Here finally is a commentary which illuminates the forest as well as the trees. Written as a theological instead of a verse-by-verse commentary, Gorman addresses the big issues such as the nature of justification in addition to the pastoral situations that Paul addresses in this letter. Gorman is well familiar with the "new perspective on Paul" and has incorporated some of these perspectives when warranted, but most often comes to his own conclusions. This is a great commentary for the layman as well because his writing is succinct, carefully curated, and doesn't avoid contentious issues such as the nature of faith in salvation, etc.
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William
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Romans commentary of 2022
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022
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Gorman once again does a spectacular job of bringing together the academic world and the church world. This commentary is perfect for pastors, laypeople, and academics alike. Deep, yet down to earth. I recommend this for EVERYONE and ANYONE doing any study or reading in Romans. Do yourself a favor and put this on your bookshelf. And while you're at it, buy one for your pastor; they'll thank you.
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Mr. N. Shape
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful prayer provoking.
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2022
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This is the thirtieth commentary on Romans in my library and quickly went to the front row. Opened my eyes to deeper insight through the author’s scholarship and focusing on what the original writer meant according to the language usage and thought customs back in his day. Amazing how the Holy Spirit is always renewing my mind through books like this
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