Book Review - Romans (commentary) by William S. Campbell

I just finished William S. Campbell's Romans commentary. Bottom line: This is a fantastic work that is well worth $47.95 on Amazon. Mark Nanos still ranks #1 in terms of the impact on my framework for reading Romans within Judaism. However, Campbell's volume is the best comprehensive exegetical commentary on Romans I have engaged. It is an academic work, but his writing is accessible for non-specialists interested in heavy-duty engagement with Biblical texts.

Campbell’s volume presents a refreshing contrast to the long-standing commentary tradition. Unlike the prevailing assumption that Paul's negative or critical statements in Romans are directed towards self-righteous, judgmental Jews, and a spiritually bankrupt Judaism, Campbell offers a different perspective. He points to numerous indicators in Romans that suggest the letter is intended to change the thinking and behavior of non-Jews…specifically regarding their posture towards Jews who are not persuaded, like Paul’s Roman addresses, about Jesus.

Campbell sees Paul as brokenhearted over the lackluster response to Jesus, but not as someone who has cast off his Jewish brothers and sisters - which, according to the letter’s internal signals - seems to be the assumption of some of the Roman Christ followers. Campbell understands Paul as writing this letter, at least in part, to reassure his non-Jewish audience that Israel remains God's blessed and beloved people, despite how things may appear to them.

Campbell also emphasizes that Paul was seeking to reinforce the identity of the non-Jewish Christ followers in Rome while also aiming to halt their arrogance towards non Christ following Jews. Paul’s hope was that his letter would restore the Romans harmonious relations with the Jewish community - despite their differing convictions.

Sadly, as history unfolded, Paul’s cautions were framed quite differently, and the mainstream interpretive history of Romans fostered hostility towards Jews and Judaism. Again, according to Campbell’s reading (and my own) this was the opposite of what Paul promoted in Romans.

My only notable disappointment with this volume was Campbell’s non-engagement with Nanos’ work in the Romans 12-15 sections. This stumped me because of his extensive interaction with (and affirmation of) Nanos’ work through Romans 11. But it wholly ended there. Though Campbell presents a coherent and possible reading for 12-15, I remain persuaded that Nanos’ take on these critical chapters in Romans is the more probable option (see Nanos’ “Mystery of Romans” and his more recent “Reading Romans within Judaism).”

But, again, this is a fantastic commentary, and I am grateful for the immense, decades long contribution William S. Campbell has made to Pauline's studies. I hope his work will continue challenging many to reconsider Paul in terms that affirm his commitment to Judaism and the Jewish people as the apostle to the Gentiles. #review #bookrecommendations