November 6, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS – Deeply conversant in the full range of questions and interpretations of the letter, Robert Jewett's Romans: A Commentary from Fortress Press's Hermeneia series explores the crucial and controverted passages that have always animated studies of Romans. Jewett also incorporates the exciting new insights from archaeology of the city of Rome, social history of early Christianity, social-scientific work on early Christianity, and the interpretation and reception of Paul's letter through the ages.

Breaking free from abstract approaches that defend traditional theologies, Jewett shows that the entire letter aims to elicit support for Paul's forthcoming mission to the "barbarians" in Spain. His work specifically focuses on Paul's missionary plans and how they figure in the letter, on Paul's critical and constructive tack with the Roman community, and finally and especially on how Paul's letter reframes the entire system of honor and shame as it informed life in the Roman Empire at the time. The latter remains a pertinent message today.

The first commentary to interpret Romans within the imperial context as well as in the light of the situation in Spain, this landmark commentary, twenty-five years in the making, will set the standard for interpretation of Romans for the next generation.

"Robert Jewett's commentary on Romans sets a new benchmark for the genre, providing groundbreaking analysis of the letter using the tools of rhetorical criticism, sociological analysis, and cultural-anthropological criticism. Jewett combines sensitivity to theological interpretation (and to its pitfalls) with rigorous commitment to hear the text in its own cultural, social, political, and ideological contexts. As one would expect, the commentary is thoroughly conversant both with ancient comparative literature and with historic and contemporary scholarship on Romans and Paul in general. Romans is a superb counterpart to H. D. Betz's rhetorical-critical volume on the sister epistle, Galatians, the latter volume representing landmark pioneering work, the former the mature fruition of the discipline." – David A. deSilva, Ashland Theological Seminary.

"What a feast! Jewett's epoch-making commentary incorporates the new strands in Pauline research. . . . Jewett shows how everything in the letter to the Romans contributes to Paul's missionary proclamation of Christ's shameful cross, a gospel that, against Roman imperial practices, ‘offered grace to every group in equal measure' and ‘overturned the honor system that dominated the Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds' that had poisoned relations between the congregations in Rome. This will be the new authoritative reference work for scholars. For preachers, Jewett's commentary will be no less an essential resource. . . . again and again, pastors will exclaim: ‘This will preach!'" – Daniel Patte, Vanderbilt University.

"Jewett's commentary on the Letter to the Romans is exceptional: it provides a new reading of the letter based on new research material, e.g. from extrabiblical sources which have not previously been used for understanding the letter. . . Of special value is the wealth of information about the interpretation of words, phrases, and historical details gained over the last one hundred years. This book is a perfect resource in the classroom and for research. It is readable and profound." – Luise Schottroff, University of Kassel.

Robert Jewett is Visiting Professor of New Testament at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. He is the author of numerous books including Captain America and the Crusade against Evil: The Dilemma of Zealous Nationalism, with John Shelton Lawrence (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2003).

Romans: A Commentary (Hermeneia series), By Robert Jewett; Edited by Eldon J. Epp, Format: 7.25" x 9.5," hardcover with jacket, 1,000 pages, ISBN: 978-0-8006-6084-0, Price: $90.00, Publisher: Fortress Press.

To order Romans: A Commentary please call Fortress Press at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the Web site at http://www.augsburgfortress.org/.

Fortress Press