A Commentary on Romans is a part of the Kregel Exegetical Library published by Kregel Academic. This volume is authored by John D. Harvey, the dean of Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Ministry at Columbia International University.
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A Commentary on Romans
This is an excellent addition to the already saturated field of literature that can be found on Paul’s magnum opus, his letter to the Romans. With there being so many commentaries on Romans, is Harvey’s volume worth consulting? Absolutely! Yes! Purchase this! Here’s why.
It’s Greek to Me!
Though Harvey insists in the preface that this volume is not a technical commentary, he deals with the original language (Greek) on nearly every single page. And since it is not transliterated, it is very helpful for the one who has learned Greek and desires to keep up with it. If you want to further deal with the Greek, jump down into the footnotes and have a good time!
I can’t quite explain it, but Harvey’s use of Greek is one of the most helpful that I’ve encountered. It really helps me understand how the Greek language is working. He uses Greek constantly, and yet for those who have never learned a thing about Greek, they will still be able to understand what Harvey is communicating about the verse. Since all of the Greek is found within parenthesis, one may very simply jump over it if they wish. Looking at how the Greek is working in the text is incredibly helpful and useful in the exegetical phase.
Format
Harvey’s format is fantastic and incredibly helpful in understanding the passage. Here’s a glimpse of the format of the book.
- First, the passage at hand will be found in all caps and in bold lettering (making it very easy to find a particular verse; also, the verses that are being dealt with on each page are likewise found as a heading in bold).
- Next comes a text and translation section in which Harvey provides his own translation from the Greek into English. Don’t skip over the footnotes! They explain much about the grammar and what is happening within the passage.
- Next is a section on context and structure. This helps the reader to see what surrounds the present text. Next comes a basic message and exegetical outline. This is very helpful for preachers and teachers as they are studying to find the main point of the passage.
- Next comes the explanation of the text (the commentary proper) in a verse-by-verse format. You will not find an exhaustive dealing with each verse. This is a smaller commentary on the book of Romans. Harvey makes it clear in the preface that he is not intending on being exhaustive about the text. Instead, he is seeking to help the reader know these things: What did the author say? Why did he say it? What should I do with it? His goal is to answer those three questions, not necessarily to say everything that could be said about every verse. Admittedly, this can be frustrating at times. Sometimes I just want Harvey to say more, and I’m left having to turn to another commentary for more depth. But it’s so important to keep in mind that there is not a single commentary that can do everything. They all have different aims.
- Lastly, there is a theology and appropriation section. This is an excellent approach to format if you ask me!
Great Introduction
The introduction section is wonderfully done! It’s not that Harvey addresses things that others have not. It’s just that he covers a lot of material in just under 40 pages. He is indeed concise, but he addresses many topics and issues that are very important. He also provides some excellent tables that I found helpful. No, seriously. The tables are really good!
Conclusion
I definitely recommend this commentary by Harvey. It is obvious that he has spent much time studying this beautiful book of Holy Scripture, and he also knows how to wisely apply it to life. Tolle lege, take up and read!
Disclaimer: My thanks to Kregel Academic for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
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