An Intertextual Commentary on Romans, Volume 1 - by Channing L Crisler (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An Intertextual Commentary on Romans is an exhaustive treatment of the hundreds of Old Testament citations, allusions, and echoes embedded in Paul's most famous epistle. As many scholars have acknowledged, to understand Paul's engagement with Israel's Scriptures is to understand Romans. Despite this acknowledgment, there is a dearth of reference works in which the primary focus is how the Old Testament impacts Paul's argument from Romans 1:1 to 16:27. This four-volume commentary aims to provide just such a reference. The interplay between Romans and its vast sea of Old Testament pre-texts produces unstated points of resonance that illuminate Paul's rhetorical argument from the letter's opening to its closing doxology. Volume 1 examines the Old Testament pre-texts in Romans 1:1-4:25. Although the citations of Habakkuk 2:4 and Genesis 15:6 in this section of the letter often dominate intertextual discussions, several other Old Testament pre-texts, though often overlooked, support the intertextual subtext of the letter and thereby illuminate various features of Paul's argument. In this commentary, each of these pre-texts is examined from a variety of perspectives. The overarching aim of the commentary is to provide scholars, interpreters, and students with verse by verse analysis of how Israel's Scriptures impact almost every clause of Paul's most famous letter.

Review Quotes

"Channing Crisler has written a crisp, clear, and compelling account of Paul's use of the Old Testament in Romans 1-4. It is not only a good introduction to biblical 'intertextuality, ' but a terrific study on how Paul is both a Jewish exegete and a Christian theologian who argues his case 'according to the Scriptures.' Genuinely insightful for those interested in the Apostle Paul and biblical hermeneutics."
--Michael F. Bird, Academic Dean and Lecturer in Theology, Ridley College, Melbourne

"Channing Crisler has produced a wonderful tool for every serious student of Scripture. His opening survey provides an excellent introduction to intertextual approaches. The commentary with its detailed exploration of the texts of Scripture behind the text of Romans is a rich resource that will benefit many."
--Mark Seifrid, Professor of Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary

"With Crisler's work we finally have a commentary that aims to mine the depths of Paul's use of Scripture in Romans. What makes this study unique is its comprehensive approach to intertextuality that not only explores Paul's quotations but also his allusions and echoes. Readers will find a virtual feast of pretexts from which to interpret Paul's most celebrated letter."
--B. J. Oropeza, editor of Perspectives on Paul: Five Views and New Studies in Textual Interplay

About the Author

Channing L. Crisler is Associate Professor of New Testament at Anderson University, South Carolina. He is the author of Reading Romans as Lament (2016) and Echoes of Lament and the Christology of Luke (2020).