Romans

Christian A. Eberhart is professor of religious studies at the University of Houston, Texas. He is also director of the religious studies program and former chair of the department of comparative cultural studies at the same institution. His books include Kultmetaphorik und Christologie: Opferund Sühneterminologie im Neuen Testament (2013), What a Difference a Meal Makes: The Last Supper in the Bible and in the Christian Church (2016), Sacrifice, Cult, and Atonement in Early Judaism and Christianity: Constituents and Critique (co-edited with H. L. Wiley, 2017), and The Sacrifice of Jesus: Understanding Atonement Biblically (2nd ed., 2018).

"Those who thought we did not need another thick commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Romans, will probably change their mind after reading this volume. Christian Eberhart manages to combine a polyphony of intersecting voices, detailed exegetical discussions of verses and words and his own original ideas. My guess is that this commentary will be a must read for future generations of Roman scholars, due to its variety and solidity."Marianne Bjelland Kartzow, Professor of New Testament Studies at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo

• ContentsList of Abbreviations   ixList of Contributors   xvForeword: “Come Eat of My Bread . . . and Walk in the Ways of Wisdom”   xviiElisabeth Schüssler FiorenzaEditor’s Introduction to Wisdom Commentary: “She Is a Breath of the Power of God” (Wis 7:25)   xxiBarbara E. Reid, OPAuthor’s Introduction Romans and Sophia   xliRomans 1:1-17   Letter Opening   1Romans 1:18–3:31   Justification through Faith: No Distinction   49Romans 4:1–5:21   The Gift of Grace: Including Women   111Romans 6:1–8:39   Freedom through the Love of Christ   143Romans 9:1–11:36   The Election of Israel: The Depth of God’s Wisdom   217Romans 12:1–15:13   Living as God’s Loving People   263Romans 15:14–16:27   Letter Closing: About Phoebe and Other Important Women and Men   311Conclusion 367 Works Cited   371Index of Scripture References and Other Ancient Writings   413Index of Subjects   421