Commentary on Romans (Luther Classic Commentaries)

As I searched for a commentary on the Book of Romans, I was first led to Karl Barth's commentary who referred to Martin Luther's commentary. I also read that John Wesley was deeply touched by Martin Luther's commentary and that it was largely due to Luther's book, that Wesley was inspired to a renewal that touched many in his time. Intrigued, I ordered the book.I am amazed at the depth that Luther goes in helping to understand Paul's more technical passages in Romans and have been inspired by Luther's theology - a theology that casts new light and even challenges the current trends in our 21st Century Western Christianity.This book is a keeper. It will stay on the "A" shelf of my resource library.T.A. WrightPastor

This `Commentary on Romans' by the great Reformation leader, Martin Luther needs three major caveats noted to potential readers.The first and more important caveat is that this is a `Reader's Digest' version of Luther's original work on Romans, which would easily fill two sizable hardcover volumes, just as his currently available full commentary on the much smaller Epistle to the Galatians. As translator J. Theodore Mueller notes in his Foreword, ' ... this popular and abridged edition seeks only to acquaint the average Christian reader with the fundamentals of Luther's evangelical teachings.'This gloss brings up a second important caveat. Luther saw Paul's epistles through a very carefully focused pair of glasses, which tended to distort just a bit both the way in which Paul saw his contemporary `Second Temple' Jews and the most important of Paul's lessons. Paul was and still is the leading apostle in the theology of Reformation churches due to his strong emphasis on the faith as the sole currency to achieving God's grace. As I am just discovering in my own study of Romans with modern sources, Paul had much more to offer.The third major concern is the fact that this work is based on Luther's lectures in 1515, two years before the momentous '95 Theses' which initiated the events leading to the Protestant Reformation. That means Luther continued to think about and write about Paul's Epistles for another 30 years, including his eminently important comments prefacing his translation of the Bible into German.Therefore, this volume should be taken neither as a scholarly study of Luther's works nor as a totally reliable guide to the thoughts of Paul the Apostle. This volume is a condensed introduction to what Luther thought about Romans in 1515. Therefore, it should always be used in conjunction with a modern commentary by, for example N. T. Wright in `The New Interpreter's Bible' or the excellent treatment of the modern Protestant point of view, `Commentary on Romans' by Ernst Kasemann.The other side of the coin is that Martin Luther's opinions on the text show much less `political correctness' than may be restraining many modern writers. Luther rails against sins of the flesh with a passion one rarely sees today, so that he harmonizes well with Paul's passion on the subject. Thus, this may be a fair antidote to scholarly sterility that may soften too much an appreciation of the Apostle's emotions. Luther and Paul are certainly kindred spirits in many, if not all regards. (Paul is probably not, unlike Augustine and Luther, haunted constantly by doubts and needs for reassurance).If you don't have access to or patience for Luther's complete work on Romans, this is a worthy substitute and accompaniment to modern texts.

It’s abbreviated Edition wasn’t what I thought

Very powerful commentary, would use again for personal study on the book of Romans.

best romans commentary I have encountered. true classic. readable, good binding still relevant and reasonably exegetical as well.

. Love reading Luther about Paul and the Romans message. Excellent and easy to follow and learn.

This has been an excellent resource in preparing for a sermon series in Romans. Luther's teaching on grace, faith, and the teachings of Paul is very powerful.

Wonderful book

Nothing can beat reading the lectures of Martin Luther to his students on Romans. His insight into the promise that through faith believing in Jesus you are made right with God, you are righteous, and you receive his righteousness as a gift is the heart of Christian conversion. Beautifully explained, full of release from guilt of past sin, and of striving to please God. It is of grace, an undeserved acceptance by Christ and receiving Christ in your heart. Best read with a study of Galatians to get the background to the arguments. This study could change your life. His insights brought about the Reformation.