Romans: A Social Identity Commentary

William S. Campbell

• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780567669421
• eBook ISBN: 9780567709950
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

William S. Campbell provides a comprehensive commentary on Paul's most challenging letter. In conversation with reception history and previous scholarship, he emphasizes the contextuality of Romans as a letter to Rome, using social identity theory combined with historical, literary and theological perspectives to arrive at a coherent reading of the entire letter. Because Paul has never visited Rome and is not the founder of the Christ-movement there, Campbell argues that his guidance and teaching are formulated more cautiously than in his other letters. Yet the long list of people who had previous links with him and his mission to the 'gentiles' demonstrates that Paul is well-informed about the situation in Rome and addresses issues that have arisen.

With Christ the Messianic Time is beginning, but there was some lack of clarity in Rome about the implications of this for Jews and gentiles. Rather than ethne in Christ replacing Israel, as some in Rome possibly concluded, Campbell stresses that Paul affirms the irrevocable calling of Israel, and that simultaneously the identity of ethne in Christ is also called alongside the people Israel; thus, the integrity of the identity of both is affirmed as indispensable for God's purpose now revealed in Christ. Campbell fully demonstrates how Paul in Romans achieves this by the social and theological intertwining of the message of the gospel.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Dedication Page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Contents
• Series Preface
• Series Editors
• Preface and Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Excursus I Paul’s Use of Diatribal Style in Romans
• Romans 1
• Excursus II The Wrath of God against All Idolatry—A Trajectory from Zephaniah to Romans
• Romans 2
• Romans 3
• Romans 4
• Romans 5
• Romans 6
• Excursus III Slavery to God
• Romans 7
• Romans 8
• Romans 9
• Romans 10
• Romans 11
• Excursus IV Supersessionism at Rome
• Romans 12
• Romans 13
• Romans 14:1–15:6
• Romans 15:7-13
• Romans 15:14-33
• Romans 16
• References
• Index of Ancient Sources
• Index of Biblical Texts
• Index of Modern Authors
• Copyright Page