Romans

Douglas Moo has definitely risen as a top scholar on Romans. I've read to one extent or another three of his commentaries on Romans. He has a longer more indepth scholarly commentary on Romans (New International Commentary on the New Testament) and a shorter commentary included in the IVP one-volume Bible commentary. This NIV Application Commentary serves its own purpose as it is designed to comment on the text itself, unpack the original context of the verses, and provide an explanation of its application to a contemporary reader or audience. I read the entire text as required for a seminary class on Romans. With a few exceptions, every page of this commentary is interesting, helpful and devotional. Moo provides the critical exegesis material on Romans in this volume. He analyzes the Greek words when helpful, he offers differing views of other commentators and shares his own opinions when there are opposing views. He often compares his analysis with other commentaries and offers a full study of the Scripture. Moo is also not shy about sharing personal stories or offering examples from everyday life to help illustrate his points. The organization of the commentary is helpful to Bible Study or application. Although scholars may prefer Moo's longer commentary, I think pastors, lay ministers and interested readers will be fully satisfied with Moo's treatment of Romans in this book. I would recommend it for any level of reader.

I purchased this commentary prior to giving a Sunday School class on the book of Romans. Douglas Moo provided a lot of insight to add to the other books I've read on Romans. The concept of providing perspective from the culture to which the letter was written and bridging it to our culture and discussing modern day application is very helpful.

This is a must have for anyone who is studying Romans or anybody just interested in Paul's journey. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

To me, this is a very fine commentary for personal Bible study. The sections on analysis of the text are brief compared to Moo's major commentary, of course, but are pithy, to the point, and display the interpretive accuracy that Dr. Moo is deservedly known for. He is particularly strong in explaining the flow of the letter. The bridging and application sections are useful in general. They often encouraged me in my own study of Romans to reflect on important issues that I would not have come up with on my own. In my own study, using Moo's major commentary for exegesis in tandem with this one for the applications, was for me the best of both worlds.

While this commentary is not as in-depth as Moo's NICNT commentary on Romans, it is still of great value to those who preach and/or teach the Bible. Why? Because of the contemporary application. For instance, Moo's comments on Romans 8 should be read by every evangelical Christian everywhere. Not only does he cover the Greek text adequately and succintly but he also makes the obvious connection between the ultimate redemption of the created universe and the need for real Christian ecology, which is often completely missed. Douglas Moo is a great commentator and this volume (as well as most of the NIV Application Commentaries) is must have!