Announcement: A Writing Project

I'm going to produce a concise little commentary on Romans 5-8—something in a convenient format and (if I decide to print paper books) a handy paperback size for those who want to study these inspiring chapters from Paul. Several factors motivated me toward this project: I got a classic little book in the mail that inspired me, I've been a rabid fanboy for these chapters since recently discovering their beauty, and for the first time in three and a half decades of in-depth reading and study I feel as if I thoroughly understand Paul's message in these chapters.

The book I got in the mail is F.B. Meyer's The Psalms. What is remarkable about this little book? It is a practical commentary on the entire book of Psalms in only 184 pages! There are 150 Psalms! That's the shortest commentary I could possibly imagine. And the reason many people do not read Bible commentaries is that they usually go on far too long and bore the heck out of readers. And the F.B. Meyer book is laid out compactly and concisely, bringing out the inner book geek in me. I love thinking about formats and ways to deliver useful information more effectively.

As I said above, I've been a Romans 5-8 fanboy since I recently took up Douglas Campbell's writings again. I discovered Professor Campbell by accident while attending a Society of Biblical Literature meeting around 2013 or 2014. I was mainly there to attend the Isaiah sessions and the Jewish-Christian Relations panels. I was in the book expo looking at an Isaiah scholar whose ideas were out of the mainstream when I spotted a book called Framing Paul. The title made me curious—framing him for what crime? Of course, I wasn't thinking about the fact that academic study of the epistles, the parts of the letter that address specific people and have to do with the occasion for the letter's writing are called the "frame." And Campbell's purpose in the book is to create a timeline for Paul's life and writings based on the epistles instead of the Book of Acts.

That led me to his massive thome, The Deliverance of God, which even he admits is way, way too long. And that led me to understand for the first time that Romans 1-4 is not the Gospel.

Let me say that again: Romans 1-4 is not the Gospel.

The better part of Romans 1-4 is a debate between Paul and a rival teacher (or group). That is why some statements in Romans 1:18-32 in particular contradict Paul's theology in other places (such as Romans 5-8).

Now if you were going to pick a place in the writings of Paul that is the most densely populated with his Gospel, you'd be hard-pressed to beat Romans 5-8. I mean Galatians has wonderful material in it, but it is too polemical. He is arguing vehemently. And it is confusing. Philippians and Ephesians have wonderful material, as does 1 Corinthians.

But nearly every reader of Paul knows that Romans 5-8 is special, especially Romans 8. It is the pearl worth diving for, a tranquil island in a sea of controversy where shipwrecked sinners find assurance and confidence in the incomparable love of Christ and power of the Spirit.

So, what will I call my commentary? The Law of the Spirit of Life: A Concise, Practical Commentary on Romans 5-8.

How will I release it? For free on this blog.

Will anything else happen with the book in terms of publishing? Quite possibly. I know I want to have a paperback copy in my hand when all is said and done.

What will the format be? I will start with an outline (see below) and each chapter will be from a section of the outline. Each section will have a summary of the passage and an outline of its ideas. Then I will cite in italics phrases and clauses from the verses in question and comment on them briefly. The comments will be geared toward practical concerns and inspiration, not academic concerns such as historical background, references and allusions to other texts, theological analysis, etc.

Here is the outline in its first draft. I very well may tweak it, polish it, expand it, etc.

Romans 5:1-5

This Grace in Which We Stand.

Romans 5:6-8

God's Love for the Ungodly.

Romans 5:9-11

Reconciled to God.

Romans 5:12-17

The Gift of the Last Adam.

Romans 5:18-19

All Mankind Will Be Saved.

Romans 5:20-21

Sin's Reign Taken Over by Grace.

Romans 6:1-4

Dead to Sin.

Romans 6:5-7

United with Christ.

Romans 6:8-11

Consider Yourselves Alive to God in Christ.

Romans 6:12-14

Instruments of Righteousness for God.

Romans 6:15-19

Slaves to Righteousness.

Romans 6:20-23

Things of Which You Are Now Ashamed.

Romans 7:1-4

Illustration: the Dead Are Not Bound.

Romans 7:5-6

A Look Back at Life in the Flesh.

Romans 7:7-13

Example: the Law Inciting Sin.

Romans 7:14-23

Life in the Flesh, Two Masters.

Romans 7:24-25

Who Will Set Me Free?

Romans 8:1-4

The Law of the Spirit of Life.

Romans 8:5-8

The Mind Set on the Spirit.

Romans 8:9-11

Christ in You.

Romans 8:12-17

Being Led by the Spirit of God.

Romans 8:18-25

Creation Itself Will Also Be Set Free.

Romans 8:26-27

Groanings Too Deep for Words.

Romans 8:28-30

Our Sufferings Turned to Joy.

Romans 8:31-34

Who Is the One Who Condemns?

Romans 8:35-39

Nothing Will Separate Us from the Love of God.