Customer Reviews

Romans (St. Andrew's Expositional Commentary)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is THE commentary I have been waiting for it seems like forever. Most are either superficial, academic, or serve as platforms for their authors to peddle personal preferences and agendas. This commentary is none of those things. RC Sproul has developed an intensely "user-friendly" commentary reflective of his vast knowledge, passion for the truth, and his desire to encourage, exhort, and correct believers. I LOVE this commentary. Currently, I am about a third of the way through. It reads like a wonderful novel that you just do not want to put down. Romans is a foundational text in the New Covenant writings. It is SO rich, so complex, and there is such a need for us to understand the arguments and points the Apostle Paul makes. RC Sproul makes this a wonderful journey of discovery. So many times I have caught myself saying, "So, THAT is what that means" or "NOW I get it!"

I cannot wait for the commentary on the Gospel of John that is coming soon. And, I pray that the book of Hebrews will follow shortly. It is my favorite book in the New Testament and I cannot wait to read RC's thoughts.

If you have a shelf FULL of commentaries or have none, BUY THIS BOOK. It will encourage you, inspire you, make you think, and make you want to press on to the maturity of your faith and witness.

I have read RC Sproul books for years and I've never been disappointed in anything he puts out. He explains the reformed theology with an ease for the beginner as well as the more advanced student. This commentary is in the same format as Truths We Confess and brings the heart of the message to all.

I own what are considered to be the best Technical and Application commentaries on the book of Romans. Don't get me wrong, they are wonderful for what they do.

But honestly, this is the commentary I am looking for on the book of Romans.

This is why it is done so well:

- R.C. Sproul has taken his sermons through the book of Romans and put it into a book. Therefore, this book is filled with deep theological and doctrinal teachings, wonderful encouragements, pressing exhortations and highly desired applications all in one sitting.

- You never have to refer back to the verse page of the chapter. He will introduce the passage that he intends to cover in the chapter and as he expounds on the text, he will continue to repeat the text. You will see the verse in bold print with his writings in normal print.

- The guy gives you enough Greek to let you know you are getting your money's worth :)

In all seriousness, this is the commentary for all peoples. From the theologian and seminarian stuck in the ivory tower to the pastor on the front lines to the Mr & Mrs. Smith leading a discussion series in a small group in Suburbia, USA to even the high school girl for whom the Scriptures simply explode with fire.

I have already ordered another copy to send to a friend.

My favorite book of the Bible is Romans, hands down. Add to that the fact that I'm a pretty solid Reformed theology nerd, and R.C. Sproul's Romans Commentary is a clear winner with me. Containing the sermons from his series on Romans delivered to Saint Andrew's Church in Sanford, FL, the book functions less like a traditional commentary in that it's not as "word-by-word" as some others. Instead, it's delivered in sermon form (the passages being discussed are bolded to help with references), with Sproul including stories, anecdotes, and other tangential thoughts to the specific scriptures. Being that it was a series of sermons, there are certain threads carried through the different chapters, so it's more beneficial when read through and the reader can trace those threads.

I have utilized the book to help my study with my small group Bible study, which is currently going through Romans. I've had the privilege of leading the group a few times, and the insights I gained from this commentary were extremely helpful in that respect. Sproul does a great job of making the doctrine contained in Paul's amazing letter to the Romans come alive and connect to real life. His analogies and examples explained the scriptures in profound and clear ways.

Being that it's R.C. Sproul, some will clearly disagree with his treatment of chapters 9-11 of Romans. These difficult passages are in many ways the backbone of Reformed, Calvinist theology, and they are the chapters that can easily cause division. I found Sproul's handling of these texts to be direct and truthful, but also gentle and warm. Doctrine is clearly not just an intellectual pursuit for him. He has a pastor's heart, and it shines through here.

There are a handful of really solid Bible teachers that I look to when I have questions about what I read in scripture. I definitely count R.C. Sproul in that group. This Romans commentary is just the first in a series of expositional commentaries coming out from him (The Gospel of John has also released), and I can't wait to add those to my library.

RC Sproul, founder of Ligonier ministries, turns preacher and commentator, delving into exegesis, exposition, and application of the Book of Romans. Sproul delivered over fifty sermons on this essential text of scripture at St. Andrew's.

The author probes and expounds passage-by-passage and provides a rich commentary that is outstanding for pulpiteers as well as personal devotions for all Christians. One discovers the love and passion the author has for this vital New Testament book as he dispenses clear interpretation and application throughout this exposition.

Anyone receiving this volume as a gift will have joy unconfined since it will stir one's heart and expand one's mind. An outstanding presentation; useful, intriguing, with clarity, and fidelity to the text. If you are looking for a very good and comprehensive up-to-date exposition of Romans, this is it.
There Are Moral Absolutes: How to Be Absolutely Sure That Christianity Alone Supplies

Like his commentary on the book of John, this is a masterpiece. Sproul's writing style is conversational and very clear, making the book an engaging and approachable read for anyone. It certainly didn't seem like a 520-page theological treatise (though it is); it "felt" like I was reading something very personal and enjoyable, almost like a novel... a rare description for a Bible commentary!

Though I continue to look forward to all of Sproul's commentaries, this was the one for which I had been most anxiously awaiting. Romans is the greatest book in the Bible, and right in Sproul's wheelhouse. He hit it out of the park!

This book, like Paul's letter, touches on nearly every theological issue which Christians debate. Sproul is clear about his own theological convictions, yet fair with other viewpoints. This is something I've always appreciated about his teaching. There is no personal agenda, no axe to grind with those who disagree with him. His only goal is to convey his vast knowledge to others, for the building up of God's church.

I can't recommend this commentary highly enough. If you've never owned a commentary, this is a great place to start. If you have read many commentaries, you'll still have much to learn from this one. I love it, and so will you!

This commentary is meat. Those who find the Westminster Catechism to simple can and will find that the commentary putting substance and weight to both the Catechism and Romans. This is a perfect commentary for those who are not theologian, but still want the "full" and in-depth explanation of the Word for layman. In Christ.

A nice introduction to the book of Romans from the man who introduced me to Reformed theology. I look forward to reading other volumes in this commentary series.

RC Sproul is a giant in the reformed Evangelical world. Perhaps only Piper and Mark Driscoll have more name recognition in this tradition. Unfortunately (though certainly NOT unexpectedly), his commentary on Romans reads like a legal defense of the Reformed doctrines that are summarized by the TULIP acronym. There is good in this commentary, to be sure. The basics of the faith and grace are elevated. The pastor will find much to like for its expositional and homiletic dimensions. However, we go back to TULIP and why Paul is defending TULIP in passage after passage. This would be fine if this were just another Christian book aimed at Reformed or highly Calvinistic audience. Yet, this is suppose to be a serious commentary on the Book of Romans. Believe it or not, Paul's main focus was NOT to defend the doctrines of TULIP in each chapter. So, the commentary suffers from too heavy a theological hand of Dr. Sproul, in this reviewer's opinion. (and I, too, am a Calvinist!). I would rate it lower, but I like Dr. Sproul too much.

This has got to be the absolute VERY BEST commentary I have ever read on Romans, without a doubt! R.C.Sproul takes you on an extremely detailed trip, going into the Greek when needed to get to the juice of The Apostle Paul's heart. I only wish that I could personally shake Bro. Sproul's hand for this great masterpiece!