Summary
We regard The Letter To The Romans 1st Edition by Douglas Moo as a landmark contribution to the NICNT series and to modern Pauline scholarship. Moo approaches Romans with sustained attention to argument, structure, and theological purpose, reading the letter as a carefully crafted exposition of the gospel that shapes both belief and life. The commentary combines rigorous engagement with the text and a clear sense of Paul’s pastoral aims.
We find Moo especially strong in tracing the flow of Paul’s thought from sin and justification through union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and the place of Israel in God’s saving purposes. Difficult passages are handled patiently and thoroughly, with close attention to the Greek text and to the wider canonical context.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
We should own this commentary because it sets a benchmark for serious study of Romans. Moo brings together linguistic precision, theological depth, and careful interaction with scholarship, while consistently returning to what the text itself is doing. This makes the volume indispensable for those who want to teach Romans responsibly.
We also value Moo’s balanced evangelical stance. He engages major interpretive debates with fairness and clarity, explaining why he adopts certain positions without caricaturing alternatives. The result is a commentary that informs judgment rather than replacing it.
Finally, we find the work pastorally significant. Although academically demanding, it consistently serves proclamation by clarifying how the gospel announced in Romans addresses sin, assurance, obedience, and hope.
Closing Recommendation
We commend this first edition as a classic exposition of Romans that continues to shape preaching and scholarship. It requires commitment, but it richly repays careful study and remains a foundational resource.
Douglas Moo
Leon Morris was an Australian Anglican evangelical scholar of the twentieth century, widely recognised for his robustly conservative, Reformed-leaning theology and strong defence of historic Christian doctrine.
Morris made a major contribution to evangelical scholarship through his commentaries and studies on the New Testament, particularly on the Gospels and Paul. His work on the atonement, justification, and New Testament theology combined careful exegesis with a firm commitment to the authority of Scripture. His commentaries were written to be both academically responsible and accessible to pastors, bridging the gap between the academy and the pulpit.
He is especially valued for his clarity on the cross, the wrath of God, and the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death, all articulated with pastoral sensitivity and exegetical care. His writing continues to steady preachers who want to preach the gospel with theological depth and biblical accuracy.
Notable works include his commentaries on John, Romans, and the Corinthian letters, alongside his studies on the cross and New Testament theology.