Book Review: Longenecker on Romans

Richard N. Longenecker, THE NEW INTERNATIONAL GREEK TESTAMENT COMMENTARY: THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS, [Grand Rapids MI, Eerdmans, 2016], 1140 pages.

This is a commentary that I long awaited. Richard N. Longenecker is one of the premier scholars of our day. His work on Romans will be one will be useful for some time to come. It is clearly directed toward those who know and use Greek, however, it is useful to the Pastor as well. It is technical, but there are gems for the non-Greek scholars as well.

The introduction is directed more toward an historical approach of how this book has changed from an earlier view of being a compendium of Christian doctrine to today it is mainly seen as an epistle by much of modern scholarship. This has come about because the absence of some major doctrines in the epistle (i.e. the resurrection; the Lords Supper). Much of the introduction deals with critical issues, not suppressing since its major emphasis the Greek text. It is relative short and concise, but detailed enough to make the reader think. His gives the two main thesis of the epistles as (1) To impart what he calls a “spiritual gift” which is unique and is also known as “my gospel” (2:16; 16:25). (2) To seek the Romans assistance for the extension of his mission to the Gentiles (1:13; 15:24). There are subsidiary purposes of defending the gospel, to strengthen the believers, and direct they relation to the Roman government (pages 10-11). These certainly fall in line with the dispensational position that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. He holds that the central thrust of the epistle is more Gentile than Jewish.

The main element is that of the commentary proper. It is massive, technical, and somewhat reader friendly. However, at least a basic knowledge of Greek is needed by the reader. The commentary is laid out differently than the other volumes of this series. In this volume each section includes Textual notes; Form/Structure/Setting; Exegetical Comments; Biblical Theology; and Contextualization for Today. That is not the case in earlier books in the series. One wonders if this format will be used by coming editions. It certainly changes the consistency and uniformity of the series.

He presents the book as being structured in a fourfold way: Romans 1-4; 5-8; 9-11; 12-16. He sees the main thrust of the epistle as being Romans 5-8. His exegesis and comments are sound, detailed, helpful, and challenging at times. He gives somewhat a balanced and fair views of the text. One will not always agree with his conclusions, but his reasoning for them are clearly presented. He seems to hold reconciliation as the heart of the gospel and epistle instead of the more common view of righteousness (pages 566-570). I enjoyed much of what he wrote and gained new insights.

There are two weaknesses that I see in the commentary—weaknesses that the reader needs to be aware:

(1)   In places he is too brief for a commentary of its stature. A prime example is Romans 3:10-18. Which is a long quote from the Old Testament. He does a good job on the handling of the Old Testament, but never really deals with the Greek text of the quote. He deals with the passage in only 2 ½ pages, and rarely mentions the Greek text (contra Cranfield, who in a little over 4 pages refers to the Greek text a number of times). This brevity seems odd for a commentary of the Greek text.

(2)   He does not always deal with the views of his fellow commentators. For example, in Romans 9:22-23 he says nothing about Moo and Schreiner’s view of double predestination—although he uses them as sources. That disappointed me, I was looking for some interaction on the subject. He does not even interact with N.T. Wright and simply states he was influenced by Dunn, but gives no details of his teaching, although he deals with the Law and the New perspective (362-370).

Overall, this is a good commentary and anyone studying this great epistle will be aided by it. It, despite its weaknesses, is worthwhile. The question one will have to answer is it worth the high price. Its price (retail $80.00, or $53.00 from Amazon), may make it out of reach for many; so evaluate carefully before you invest. Make sure before you purchase. I would not rate it as the best (4 out of 5 stars), but certainly in the upper tier of commentaries available on Romans. 

This is a commentary that I long awaited. Richard N. Longenecker is one of the premier scholars of our day. His work on Romans will be one will be useful for some time to come. It is clearly directed toward those who know and use Greek, however, it is useful to the Pastor as well. It is technical, but there are gems for the non-Greek scholars as well.

The introduction is directed more toward an historical approach of how this book has changed from an earlier view of being a compendium of Christian doctrine to today it is mainly seen as an epistle by much of modern scholarship. This has come about because the absence of some major doctrines in the epistle (i.e. the resurrection; the Lords Supper). Much of the introduction deals with critical issues, not suppressing since its major emphasis the Greek text. It is relative short and concise, but detailed enough to make the reader think. His gives the two main thesis of the epistles as (1) To impart what he calls a “spiritual gift” which is unique and is also known as “my gospel” (2:16; 16:25). (2) To seek the Romans assistance for the extension of his mission to the Gentiles (1:13; 15:24). There are subsidiary purposes of defending the gospel, to strengthen the believers, and direct their relation to the Roman government (pages 10-11). These certainly fall in line with the dispensational position that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. He holds that the central thrust of the epistle is more Gentile than Jewish.

The main element is that of the commentary proper. It is massive, technical, and somewhat reader friendly. However, at least a basic knowledge of Greek is needed by the reader. The commentary is laid out differently than the other volumes of this series. In this volume each section includes Textual notes; Form/Structure/Setting; Exegetical Comments; Biblical Theology; and Contextualization for Today. That is not the case in earlier books in the series. One wonders if this format will be used by coming editions. It certainly changes the consistency and uniformity of the series.

He presents the book as being structured in a fourfold way: Romans 1-4; 5-8; 9-11; 12-16. He sees the main thrust of the epistle as being Romans 5-8. His exegesis and comments are sound, detailed, helpful, and challenging at times. He gives somewhat a balanced and fair views of the text. One will not always agree with his conclusions, but his reasoning for them are clearly presented. He seems to hold reconciliation as the heart of the gospel and epistle instead of the more common view of righteousness (pages 566-570). I enjoyed much of what he wrote and gained new insights.

There are two weaknesses that I see in the commentary—weaknesses that the reader needs to be aware:

(1)   In places he is too brief for a commentary of its stature. A prime example is Romans 3:10-18. Which is a long quote from the Old Testament. He does a good job on the handling of the Old Testament in the New Testament, but never really deals with the Greek text of the quote. He deals with the passage in only 2 ½ pages, and rarely mentions the Greek text (contra Cranfield, who in a little over 4 pages refers to the Greek text a number of times). This brevity seems odd for a commentary of the Greek text.

(2)   He does not always deal with the views of his fellow commentators. For example, in Romans 9:22-23 he says nothing about Moo and Schreiner’s view of double predestination—although he uses them as sources. That disappointed me, I was looking for some interaction on the subject. He does not even interact with N.T. Wright and simply states he was influenced by Dunn, but gives no details of his teaching, although he deals with the Law and the New perspective (362-370).

Overall, this is a good commentary and anyone studying this great epistle will be aided by it. It, despite its weaknesses, is worthwhile. The question one will have to answer is it worth the high price. Its price (retail $80.00, or $53.00 from Amazon), may make it out of reach for many; so evaluate carefully before you invest. Make sure before you purchase. I would not rate it as the best (4 out of 5 stars), but certainly in the upper tier of commentaries available on Romans.