Customer Reviews

The Letter to the Romans (The Daily Study Bible Series)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not sure what the previous reviewer meant- to me, any biblical commentary that includes discussion of the greek and hebrew words plus consideration of the historical/contemporary times of the writer is definitely scholarly.

That's just a weird comment!

Nonetheless, Barclay is an enigmatic figure, and any reading you do of his books must be tempered by your own doctrinal "take" on various issues.

I would agree in spirit of the other reviewer that this book is not an end-all-be-all, but what biblical commentary is?

B

Barclay's New Daily Study Guide series is a treasure. Every student of the Bible should own--and use--a set. Barclay adds life to Bible stories by explaining the customs of the first century. He helps our understanding of the text by explaining word selection: The various meanings, where else in the New Testament the word was used, etc. When new characters enter the Bible text, he describes them fully. He goes outside the Bible for historical material that helps with understanding. My only quibble is that Barclay absolutely, positively does not believe in miracles, while I do--and have stories to tell that can't be explained any other way. So, I disagree strongly with Barclay about miracles, but this information-packed series is still very much worth buying and reading.

A group of us have been using Barkley's THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS for several months. We chose this book because of the authors scholarly reputation. Recently, I looked up who William Barkley really was, and what his religious beliefs were. When I came upon an article on William Barkley by Wayne Jackson titled THE ENIGMATIC WILLIAM BARKLEY, I discovered Dr. Barkley is self-described as a "liberal evangelical." I tend to believe that one is either one or the other.
According to Wayne Jackson, "When two acquaintinances of (mine)visited with Barkley at his home in Glasgow, in the spring of 1970, the distinguished professor strongly denied that he believed that Jesus was devine, and insisted he never had endorsed that idea. He claimed that the Lord himself believed that he was devine, as did others, but personally, he did not. When Paul was cited as evidence to the contrary, the professor snapped 'I don't care what Paul said.'"
Hey, if we're studying Paul's Letter to the Romans, what's the point of writing a supposed Bible study book?
As far as writing for the common man, I question Barkley's references to "The Apoclypse of Baruch","Esdras" and other books of the Apocrapha and the "Sibylline Oracles." This common man is relatively unfamiliar with these writings.
Barkley may be a scholar, but if he doesn't care what Paul said, why does he write a book about his writings?

I have read and enjoyed so much of what dear William has published including his 17 New Testament Commentaries. Romans is not his best work.

William is so excellent at so many things: Providing the Jewish context behind the New Testament, explaining the motivations behind the various Epistles, as well as providing a treasury of literature to enrich the lessons.

In Romans, Barclay's worldview collides with Paul. When William brings his Arminian/Universalist point of view to Romans 8:28-30 things break down. His explanation of this fascinating passage is self-contradictory. It would have been more useful if he had given his take on it and then highlighted that other theologians such as Augustine, Aquinas and Luther had a different interpretation. William does this so well in some of his other commentaries, but not here.

William has great value, but take Romans with a grain of salt.

The book of Romans is one of those books that has an immense amount of wisdom, on all levels of one's walk with God.

This book so clearly expounds the it's tenets and is a must have for those who want to live the ways of God.

William Barclay is truly gifted in putting a very well written commentary about Romans (and many other books of the Bible).

May the Holy Spirit guide you always!

Good exegesis. The letter to the Romans is broken into small segments with commentary that can easily be read and reflected on in 20 minutes. Barclay is a good scholar with a pastor's heart. So he gives some good content and exegesis of the text and context, but directs the reader to application as well.

This book was invaluable in a verse by verse small group study of Romans. Great reference book.

Anything that William Barclay writes is a great addition to a spiritual library. His work on the New Testament Letters, the Lord's prayer, The Beatitudes, and especially the Parables are real treasures to seekers and learners.

This is the perfect book for the student who wants more than just a basic commentary.

This is a classic study guide on Romans. Much better resources are now available today. Check out, for example, the commentaries by Osborne in IVP New Testament Commentary Series and Moo in NIV Application Commentary Series. Tom Wright has also written two volumes on Romans in his Paul for Everyone series.