Paul's Romans Epistle and the Matter of Faith

Romans 1:18-4:25

Thesis Sentence

Paul’s teaching in Romans 1:18–4:25 establishes the universal sinfulness of humanity, the inadequacy of the law for justification, and the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for righteousness, thus laying a theological foundation for the doctrine of justification by faith.

Bibliography

Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Romans. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1933.

Barth's commentary is a bit older than other more contemporaneous works but it does give a theologically rich and provocative interpretation of Romans that focuses on the radical nature of Paul's message on faith and justification.

Bird, Michael F. The Saving Righteousness of God: Studies on Paul, Justification, and the New

Perspective. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2007.

This book looks at the righteousness of God as presented in Romans by engaging with both traditional and new perspectives on Paul's doctrine of justification.

Cranfield, C.E.B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Volume

I: Introduction and Commentary on Romans I-VIII. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1975.

This commentary is very helpful for a detailed exegetical analysis of Romans 1:18–4:25 that focuses on Paul's argument structure and theological assertions.

Dunn, James D.G. Romans 1-8. Dallas: Word Books, 1988.

Dunn's work is very important for understanding the new perspective on Paul, especially regarding the role of the law and faith in the justification process.

Hultgren, Arland J. Paul's Letter to the Romans: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011.

Hultgren's commentary analyzes Romans by looking at Paul's theological arguments and their implications for the doctrine of justification by faith.

Johnson, Luke Timothy. Reading Romans: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Macon:

Smyth & Helwys, 2001.

Johnson’s commentary emphasizes the literary and rhetorical aspects of Romans, providing insights into Paul's argumentation and theological points in the analyzed section.

Longenecker, Richard N. Introducing Romans: Critical Issues in Paul's Most Famous Letter.

Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011.

This work looks at some of the critical issues and scholarly debates surrounding Romans, and gives decent context relevant to Romans 1:18–4:25.

Moo, Douglas J. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

This commentary does an in-depth analysis of Romans, with a look at the theological and historical context of Paul's teachings on sin, law, and justification by faith.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1998.

Schreiner gives the evangelical perspective on Romans, with analysis on the passages concerning universal sinfulness and justification by faith.

Wright, N.T. Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2013.