Summary
We regard The Letter To Romans by John Murray as one of the most theologically weighty and spiritually serious commentaries ever written on Paul’s epistle. Murray approaches Romans with a profound reverence for the text, reading it as a unified and carefully argued exposition of the gospel of God. His work reflects deep immersion in Scripture and a disciplined Reformed theological framework.
We find that Murray moves deliberately through Romans, pressing hard on the meaning of Paul’s language and logic. Doctrines of sin, justification, union with Christ, sanctification, and God’s sovereign purpose are treated with exceptional care. The commentary is never rushed, and Murray refuses to simplify truths that Paul himself presents with depth and gravity.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
We should own this commentary because it models what it means to read Romans with theological seriousness. Murray does not treat the letter as a quarry for proof texts, but as a sustained apostolic argument that demands close and patient attention. His handling of justification by faith and union with Christ remains especially influential.
We also value the devotional weight of the work. Although rigorous and demanding, the commentary consistently drives the reader toward worship, humility, and obedience. Murray writes as a theologian in the service of the church, not as a detached academic.
This is not an easy commentary, and it is not designed for quick reference. It rewards slow reading and careful reflection, and it shapes the way Romans is understood at a foundational level.
Closing Recommendation
We strongly commend this volume as a classic Reformed exposition of Romans. It remains essential reading for serious students of Scripture and deserves a central place in any theological library.
John Murray
John Murray was a Scottish Reformed theologian who taught for many years in the twentieth century. His contributions to New Testament studies appear in his commentaries and essays, shaped by deep doctrinal conviction and careful attention to the text. His exposition married scholarly insight with a pastor’s heart. Murray’s work endures because of its theological steadiness, clarity, and reverence for Scripture. Notable works include his commentary on Romans.