Bible Commentaries
Romans

Many have regarded the Book of Romans as among the most important of all theological documents. John Stott, Anglican priest and commentator, speaks of it in this wise, "It is the fullest, plainest and grandest statement of the gospel in the New Testament."^(F1) James Edwards, American Bible scholar, remarks, "Of all the books of the Bible, none has left its mark on the theology and language of the Christian faith like this magisterial epistle."^(F2)

The great reformer Calvin says about it, "When any one gains a knowledge of this epistle, he has an entrance opened to him to all the most hidden treasures of Scripture."^(F3) Other great reformers also made statements in praise of Romans. Martin Luther said, "It is the chief part of the New Testament and the perfect gospel… the absolute epitome of the gospel." Philip Melancthon called Romans "the compendium of Christian doctrine."^(F4)

When individuals or when the church as a whole has experienced awakening and revival, the likelihood is that the Book of Romans played a large part in these events. Many are the stories of great men in the past whose lives have been changed by this book. One such person, in AD 386, was Aurelius Augustinus, who later became known as the great church father Saint Augustine. One day Augustine was seated in the garden as he wrestled with his evil conscience. Suddenly he heard a voice like the voice of a child repeating this phrase in a sing-song manner, "Take up and read. Take up and read." With this, Augustine hastily took up the Bible and his eyes fell on Romans 13:13-14, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Augustine remarked, "No further would I read, nor was there cause why I should; for instantly with the end of the sentence, as by a clear and constant light infused into my heart, the darkness of all former doubts was driven away."^(F5)

Over a thousand years later a young German monk of the Augustinian order was sent to lecture on the Book of Romans at the University of Wittenberg. His discovery of Romans 1:17, "The righteous will live by faith," caused Martin Luther to launch what has been called the greatest reform in the history of the church.

It was Martin Luther's later commentary on Romans that played a big part in the life changes that occurred in a twenty-one-year old Oxford graduate and failed missionary to the new world. Here is his own account, "In the evening [of May 24, 1738] I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He has taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."^(F6) With these words John Wesley began the great Methodist revival that shook two continents and changed the course of history.

As we look at the Book of Romans we need to be forewarned that this is a life-changing book. A serious study of this book has the potential to bring forth a changed life, a changed family or even a changed nation.