Romans

Susan G. Eastman is Associate Research Professor Emerita of New Testament at Duke University Divinity School. An internationally respected scholar in Pauline studies, she explores the formation and transformation of identity in the Letters of Paul in conversation with current issues of human flourishing in science, psychology, and medical ethics. She has lectured and taught in a variety of academic and church settings, both in the US and internationally. Her publications include Recovering Paul’s Mother Tongue: Language and Theology in Galatians, Paul and the Person: Reframing Paul's Anthropology, Oneself in Another: Participation and Personhood in Pauline Theology, and numerous articles and essays. Ordained in the Episcopal Church, she served parishes in New York City, Alaska, Oregon, and Pennsylvania prior to teaching at Duke.

"Susan Eastman has done it again. In this learned and provocative commentary, which integrates rigorous exegesis with pastoral and theological reflections, readers will find a riveting analysis of Paul’s gospel to the Romans. Building upon years of teaching, preaching, and writing about Romans, Eastman leads the reader through the epistle, lifting up the power and beauty of Paul's words for his day and for our own contemporary moment. In this excellent commentary, Eastman delineates the literary, rhetorical, and theological features of the missive, enabling readers to 'enliven [their] imagination' and to hear the 'living voice of Paul.' She invites us to take a seat among the members of the Roman house churches and to listen to the letter’s message afresh. Scholars, students, church leaders, laity, and all those interested in Paul's most famous letter would do well to accept this invitation." —Lisa Bowens, Associate Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary "For two thousand years, Paul's Epistle to the Romans has been a remarkable treasure chest by which Jesus has been encountered, lives have been changed, and deep theological truths have been grounded. Now, in this wonderful addition to the Interpretation Bible Commentary series, Susan Eastman provides fresh learnings for all who want to hear the apostle Paul's voice anew and deepen their own relationship with the living God." —Bishop Michael Curry, XXVII Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and author of Love Is the Way   "With pacey momentum, Susan Eastman's Romans offers a dynamic interpretation of that powerful text, with a resolute determination to benefit today’s interpreters. Drawing on deep wells of academic experience and pastoral wisdom, Eastman displays theological proficiency at every turn, without a wasted word. For those in the trenches of theological interpretation and pastoral exposition, Eastman's passionate presentation of Paul's discourse in Romans will prove to be a welcome, insightful, and stimulating companion." —Bruce Longenecker, W. W. Melton Chair of Religion, Baylor University  "Susan Eastman loves preaching, and she loves preachers. Her commentary on Romans holds treasures for both. Her exposition of the gospel through the text of Romans provides sure-footed guidance and breathtaking views. But I particularly appreciate her pastoral wisdom for preachers themselves. This is a commentary that does more than teach the steps of grace’s dance; it draws preachers into its sway. Whether engaging the weight of broken nations or whispers of broken hearts, Eastman points her readers to Romans's trust in a saving God." —Jerusha Matsen Neal, Associate Professor of Homiletics, Duke University Divinity School  "In this very readable commentary on Romans, Susan Eastman has produced a pitch-perfect voicing of the main goal of the Interpretation series: to express the best, most exacting biblical scholarship in ways that energize the work of preachers and teachers. Time and again she taps the tuning fork of a profound passage in Romans and allows it to resonate with the needs and hungers of the church and the world. Eastman shows powerfully why this great text once mattered and still matters today. Those who preach and teach Romans will treasure this commentary." —Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University "Romans is an enactment in writing of Paul's desire ‘to preach the gospel also to those who are in Rome' (Rom. 1:15). Susan Eastman's commentary on this letter attends to and participates in this proclamation. At once historically informed, theologically engaged, and pastorally wise, this reading of Romans hears Paul's declaration of the gospel, joins the apostle in the apocalypse of both human bondage and divine mercy, and gives the reader this same good news so that they can speak again (and again) 'the gospel of [God's] Son' that is 'the power of God unto salvation'" (1:9, 16). —Jonathan A. Linebaugh, Anglican Chair of Divinity and Professor of New Testament and Christian Theology at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University "In the crowded landscape of literally hundreds of Romans commentaries, Eastman's work is a standout. Drawing from a distinguished career of Pauline scholarship, she deftly exposits Paul's magisterial text, identifies its theological riches, and offers wise counsel for preaching and teaching Romans as a powerful word of God for the present. For pastors and students who are put off by dull, esoteric, and jargon-laden academic commentaries, this will be a breath of fresh air." —Nijay K. Gupta, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary "Few contemporary Pauline scholars can match Eastman's breathtaking range. In this volume of a much-loved (and now reimagined) series, her unique combination of historical and literary insight, theological vision, and pastoral sensitivity are all on display in her dynamic reading of Romans. Preachers, teachers, scholars, and students are all in Eastman's debt for this fresh encounter with the scope and power of Paul’s gospel." —Jamie Davies, Tutor in New Testament and Director of Postgraduate Research, Trinity College Bristol