Customer Reviews

The Message of Romans: God's Good News for the World (Bible Speaks Today)

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I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is an ideal commentary for pastors, professors, and serious laymen. If you can only afford one commentary on Romans, make it this one.

Serving as a pastor for over 25 years, I have either taught or preached through Romans on several occasions. As I was sharing my plans to tackle Romans yet another time, my good friend ( a fellow pastor with degrees from Moody, Dallas, and Trinity) said, "Ed, you have to get Stott's commentary. It is the best. I just did Romans and bought Stott's when I was half-way through. Wish I had it the whole time." Since my pal hesitates making recommendations and does not inflate matters, I knew it had to be good. I took my friend's word and was not disappointed. It was better than I imagined. Much better than Hodge, Lenski, Newell, and a host of others. Not tedious or tangent-prone like some of the mega-sets.

Stott is first and foremost an interpretter. He addresses possibilities and then draws his conclusion. He is solid, conservative, believes in sovereign grace, and truly seeks to understand the original intent of the author. His purpose is to interpret correctly, not to twist texts to fit an agenda.

He is thorough yet not tedious; understandable but not simplistic; concise, but not cold. The commentary is 406 pages (not including the study guide at the end), but the print is large and easy on the eye. The many Scripture references are footnoted at the bottom of each page (making them easy to find), as are other references, but they take up little space at the bottom. There are no tedious explanatory notes footnoted; all you need is in the text itself.

If you are a Bible-believing Christian, this volume is the one to get.

I'm a preaching pastor who tries to work from the Greek text. I've read and marked up most of my Stott copy on Romans. It is in my top five commentaries on Romans and I use it a lot. However, I have to disagree with the other two reviews on this book.

Some positives on this book include:

Instead of giving the typical break at 1:15 & 1:16, like most commentators, Stott explains it like this:

Vs 14 I am bound

Vs 15 I am eager

Vs 16 I am not ashamed

(1:16 & 17 state the theme of Romans, but Stott splits 16 off and matches it to the end of the previous paragraph. This fresh view makes one think. I believe that is one of Stott's great assets). So he is unique and has some really good things to say. It's worth reading. It is great for preaching ideas. However, many times he gives a view that flows from one perspective of theology on a verse, with no hint or cue that there are other views that may differ from him. Sometimes his perspective is not really taken seriously by contemporary scholars-yet Stott fails to even mention there are opposing views. So he can have a bit of eisegetical theology mixed into his exegesis. For this reason, I totally disagree with the reviewer who said something like if you could only own one commentary on Romans that this was the one to get. It probably should be number three or four in a list of priorities-not number one, at least for exegetical work.

Specifics:

At one point he brings Calvinistic terminology into a simple use of the term law, attempting to suggest an exegetically exotic view. More careful commentaries, like Moo on Romans reject his approach as difficult to support. Another example is his effort on Romans 6 to say that the power of sin is not included in what Paul is talking about. Stott insists that it is the guilt of sin only that Paul is covering in 6:1-14. There is no contextual factor to warrant that conclusion. Again, more thorough and careful evangelical works on that section do not agree with his assessment. (Stott is this way in his Ephesians commentary as well).

So how I use Stott is for a fresh look at the text and great phrases that preach well. As far as exegetical accuracy, I would lean towards Moo and Edwards on Romans. So I recommend Stott on Romans, but not for every paragraph-and not as the main commentary one owns for serious work in the Greek text. For that, one cannot be without the NICNT by Moo-which is far more complete and careful in its analysis. So if you can afford to get Stott, add him to your collection and compare what he says to other guys like Edwards Moo, Kasemann, etc....He's got a great way of phrasing things and I've used his phrasing in sermon outlines more than once.

John R.W Stott is one of the best scholarly pastors in the world because of his academic zeal coupled with a shrewd sense of how scripture applies to our lives. This really comes through in his Romans commentary. After a brief introduction where he descrobes how the book of Romans has impacted great Christian people of faith like Martin Luther, John Wesley, and Karl Barth, he dives right into the text. He identifies Romans 1:16-17 as the main theme of the book, and he teaches the federal headship of Adam in Romans 5. He sees Romans 7 as the present experience of the struggling believer, and he sees Romans 9 as teaching God's unconditional election of certain individuals to salvation and others to specific roles in redemptive history if not salvation (Pharoah, Esau).

The book is a treasure trove of good thoughts for preachers of the Romans to consider. It is highly recommended.

John Stott is one of my favorite authors.

He is a master at communicating the books of the Bible. His writing style is easy to follow. I love the way he takes complex subjects such as Romans and shows the flow of the doctrines and Paul's thoughts. I have taught Romans more than once and yet as I read this book, I am amazed anew at the message of Paul. Stott packs a lot in his writings. I envy his ability to communicate so clearly.

His use of the Greek language is practical and sensible. What really stands out to me is the way that he outlines the book while at the same time he conveys the meaning of the text so well. You don't have to pay close to attention to his outlines to profit. But as you look backwards you notice his points. Very nice for preachers and teachers.

He is good at the big picture and flow. I have only recently bought this book, and find it to be one of my favorite commentaries on Romans. Well worth the money!!!

Stott conveys a sturdy solidarity with the historic Christian faith, rather than promoting any pet agendas of his own, or an abrasive combat with opposing views. He reasons in the spirit of an objective scientist whose field is theology. He offers evidence, reasoning, and cordial summaries of several conflicting viewpoints on key, difficult passages. The conclusions he favors in each case he sets forth mildly in a way that leaves the reader feeling equipped with a credible stance to take on the issue. So, this commentary serves the teacher as a rich resource, and the simple Christian studying Romans as uplifting nourishment to the soul.

This commentary has many tremendous insights into the book of Romans. Romans is one of the richest resources of truth within the Bible and John Stoot does a good job of unpacking it. The book is written from a framework of the reader having a strong prior understanding of the Scriptures. It is probably not considered a highly scholarly work, but it is not for the average reader to pick up for light reading either.

Even though John Stott doesn't consider this book and its companions as commentaries, they do the trick for laypersons. There are great explanations of scripture from a conservative theological point of view meaning the Bible is considered the inerrant word of God. He brings competing interpretations into the mix and then tells you his choice and why. Great for small group Bible study leaders for students studying on their own. Best if used with his Bible Study Guides. You can't go wrong with any of his studies or "commentaries."

Romans is hard work! But it's so rich if you put in the work. As a pastor putting in the work of understanding the book's argument, so that I can preach its good news, I have found John Stott's work just invaluable. He is such a lucid writer, and his conclusions ring true to the text. This book is a great gift to the church.

John Stott and John Murray were recommended reading by my Pastor. I find both these book well worth the time and money. They give a better rendering of the text than most books written on the subject.

Stott is the Professional Commentator who uses all his gifts and talents to exhort the scriptures through this commentary of Romans. The exuberant capabilities of this man draws light that unwinds the scriptures through the power of the Holy Spirit. Bringing to us, the reader, the student, the philosopher, and guide a breath of freshness!