Personal Thoughts About Commentaries: Romans
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Read the series.
The Best Commentaries on Romans: Remember, this list has preachers primarily in mind.
1. Douglas Moo (NICNT) — Somewhat dense, which may hinder readers somewhat, but interaction with the text and the literature is very impressive. Deals well with the ‘new perspective’, and even manages some applications (but see Moo’s contribution to the NIVAC series). His Introduction is on the short side, but there are numerous excurses. Not all will like his treatment of Chapter 7.
2. Thomas Schreiner (BECNT) — I might have put this first because of its accuracy and usability. Still a big book, but not as intimidating as Moo. Pastors should purchase both works.
3. John R.W. Stott (BST) — After Moo and Schreiner one could do worse than studying Stott’s outstanding exposition. Brings out the argument very well and shows how the book may be preached. One bad spot, he teaches theistic evolution!
4. Leon Morris (Pillar) — Very competent mid-level commentary. Doesn’t mix it up with the Sanders/Dunn crowd, but provides a very sure-footed guide.
5. James R. Edwards (NIBC) — This is a surprisingly helpful book. Edwards’ style enables him to deal with most interpretive problems within a brief compass.
6. John Murray (older NICNT) — Replaced by Moo but not completely eclipsed. Very theological (which suits Romans). Murray always presses the weight of Divine truth upon the mind, though his style is ponderous.
7. R.C.H. Lenski — Conservative Arminian, but there is much good material here.
8. John Calvin — It is amazing that Calvin can say so much in so few words. This was his first commentary.
9. W.H. Griffith Thomas — A deceptively simple commentary which asks great questions of the text and gives real aid to the expositor.
10. C.E.B. Cranfield (ICC) — Cranfield’s commentary has almost legendary status, and its handling of the Greek text is wonderfully impressive. His English prose also flows easily. But there is a lot to pick through, especially his Barthian leanings.
No doubt there are readers of this list who wonder why certain writers did not make the list. Well, if I could offer a brief apology I would say that I chose Stott over Osborne (IVPNTC), Murray over Hendriksen (NTC), Lenski over Witherington, and Griffith Thomas over Bruce (TNTC). Other worthwhile commentaries are by Godet, Haldane, Schlatter and Custer. I’m sure J.P. Lange would be quite good if I could understand what he was saying. I give no place to Barth, Dunn or Achtemeier as I just don’t think they are worth messing with. But Nygren’s introduction (especially his stuff on the two aeons in chapter 5) is very helpful.
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Reposted from Dr. Reluctant.
Paul Henebury Bio
Paul Martin Henebury is a native of Manchester, England and a graduate of London Theological Seminary and Tyndale Theological Seminary (MDiv, PhD). He has been a Church-planter, pastor and a professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics. He was also editor of the Conservative Theological Journal (later Journal of Dispensational Theology). He is now the President of Telos School of Theology.
Paul, this seems to be a bit of a "Cliff's Notes" appraisal of commentaries; I wonder if it would be a huge blessing for you to write a little bit to those who are going from just a study Bible to using commentaries, or are going from, say, Matthew Henry to other, more modern commentaries. Or, rather, maybe write a lot--I'm guessing that someone who is willing to open up 1000 pages on the book of Romans won't be afraid to read a few pages of text about the usefulness of that commentary.
Personally, I'm at the "I have Matthew Henry, Calvin's Institutes, and the Treasury of David, and I'm curious about what further steps might be a blessing." stage.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
Personally, I prefer Schreiner over Moo, but they are both great commentaries.
Bert, I would direct you Andrew Naselli's Romans: A Concise Guide to the Greatest Letter Ever Written. Naselli describes this book as "basically Moo-lite or Schreiner-lite, with an emphasis on tracing Paul's argument and designed for Bible study" (p. 199). I would also recommend the new TNTC Romans commentary (Garland replaces Bruce). You may also be helped by The Gospel Coalition's online commentary on Romans.
These are more accessible conservative evangelical commentaries that don't require familiarity with koine Greek.
I think I get where you're coming from. My stated objective in doing these lists is to help pastors or those who want to study more generally. If I were to address those you refer to it would look different. I like your idea, but it would require a different looking list. I think Matthew Henry is wonderful (apart from on OT prophecy). I also think the newly published 1541 Institutes from BoT is great.
Maybe I can write something from your proposed angle. Let me think about it.
Dr. Paul Henebury
I am Founder of Telos Ministries, and Senior Pastor at Agape Bible Church in N. Ca.
Paul, I hope you get as much of a kick out of an academic like yourself being very terse in your writing as I do....you are not playing well to stereotype, brother. Seriously, appreciate your thoughts, and I wonder how many people who are pastors (promoted to doulos, not just a mere diakonos like myself) might be blessed.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
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