Watch N.T. Wright introduce Into the Heart of Romans:
An in-depth study of Romans from today's foremost interpreter of Paul
Romans is often and for good reason considered a crux of Christian thought and theology, the greatest of Paul’s letters. And within Romans, chapter 8 is one of the most spectacular pieces of early Christian writing.
But to many readers, Romans can be a deceptively difficult book. It’s scope and basic meaning may be clear, but it can be hard to see how it all fits together into a cohesive, if complex, doctrinal argument.
N. T. Wright—widely regarded as the most influential commentator and interpreter of Paul—deftly unpacks this dense and sometimes elusive letter, detailing Paul’s arguments and showing how it illuminates the Gospel from the promises to Abraham through the visions of Revelation. Wright will walk you through precisely how Romans holds together as a theological argument and how it contains so much else that God reveals in Scripture. Wright takes a deep dive into Romans 8, showing how it illuminates so much else that God reveals in Scripture: God the Father, Christology, and the Spirit; Jesus' Messiahship, cross, resurrection, and ascension; salvation, redemption, and adoption; suffering and glory; holiness and hope.
Into the Heart of Romans will help you become familiar with the book of Romans in a deeper way that will also deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Gospel itself.
Why I wrote Into the Heart of Romans
“Between 2010 and 2020, I found myself working on biblical themes I had not previously thought through, particularly to do with the Temple-theme and its retrieval by the early Christians, and also the early Christian emphasis on Jesus as the image-bearing human being, as in Genesis 1 and Psalm 8. In this, I was spurred on by some of my doctoral students [who] worked specifically in these areas and challenged me to rethink some of my previous readings…. All this, to my surprise, has nudged me into quite a different reading of Romans 8 from the one I grew up with, which is still reflected in the commentaries from twenty years or so ago. I hope the new points of view will commend themselves to readers, however much of a shift in mindset this may require for some.”
—N.T. Wright, from the preface
Endorsements
“Romans is a mystery. Wright leads us on an exciting journey beyond the veil, into its inner sanctum.”
—Matthew W. Bates, professor of theology, Quincy University
“This is serious scholarship birthed out of a deep trust in Scripture and love for the church; Wright’s work has shaped generations, and my bet is that this volume will continue to do so.”
—Holly Beers, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Westmont College
“There’s so much to see on atonement, spirit versus flesh, adoption, love, and hope, and Tom does not disappoint with his amazing mix of explanatory insights and easy readability.”
—Michael F. Bird, deputy principal at Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia
“The greatest biblical theologian of our day offers his mature reflections on arguably the greatest chapter that the apostle Paul ever wrote—what more could we possibly ask for? This book is characteristically brilliant, its vision for the Christian life thoroughly compelling.”
—Max Botner, associate professor of biblical studies, Jessup University
“N. T. Wright’s Into the Heart of Romans provides a commentary on Romans 8 that can function both as a hermeneutical primer and as an introduction to Paul’s theology.”
—John Anthony Dunne, associate professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary
“In his engaging, inimitable style, Tom Wright leads us into a profound encounter with one of the most profound chapters of Scripture…. A much-needed challenge.”
—Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical and Theological Studies, St. Mary’s Seminary & University
“Tom Wright models the Christian principle: ‘there's always more to learn from the Bible.’ Wright has written extensively on Romans, but now offers fresh insight by focusing on chapter 8, a central text bringing together key themes like new covenant, new creation, the love of God, and restored humanity.”
—Nijay K. Gupta, professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
“In Into the Heart of Romans, Tom Wright provides a master class in close reading of Scripture. In his fine-grained exposition, Romans 8 becomes a lens through which we can more clearly perceive the larger biblical story.”
—Richard B. Hays, George Washington Professor Emeritus of New Testament, Duke University
“Vintage Tom Wright! Readers are enabled by Wright’s careful guidance to glimpse both a compelling bird’s-eye view of Romans 8 and to follow him in a deep dive that illumines the entire story.”
—Edith Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor Emerita of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
“This work is Paul’s greatest living interpreter on the greatest chapter of Paul’s greatest letter.”
—Chris Kugler, research associate, Keble College, Oxford
“N. T. Wright has long made it clear that Romans 8 is a text that is dear to his own heart and understanding of Paul…. This book is an exemplar of a pastorally and exegetically rich analysis of a dense but rewarding section of Paul’s most famous letter.”
—Esau McCaulley, associate professor of New Testament, Wheaton College
“This book offers not just a detailed map but a personal guide through the intricate pathways of Paul’s proclamation. I was led to gratitude for the clarity I gained, wonder at the brilliance of Paul, and praise for the grace of God in the victory of Jesus Christ.”
—Amy Peeler, Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College
“Within the field of Pauline scholarship, one would be hard-pressed to name an interpreter more insightful, biblically integrative, or significant than Tom Wright.”
—Nicholas Perrin, president, Trinity International University
“In Into the Heart of Romans, you have a premier Pauline interpreter probing and plumbing the depths of one of the most meaningful and memorable passages the apostle ever composed.”
—Todd D. Still, Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean & William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures, Baylor University, Truett Seminary
“Tom Wright’s new book Into the Heart of Romans is an exemplary display of scholarly rigor and Christian passion…. Both the scholar and lay reader will find this book hard to put down.”
—Preston Sprinkle, speaker, podcaster, and New York Times bestselling author
“In this little book that focuses on perhaps Paul’s most moving and eloquent argument found in Romans 8, Tom is able to shed not merely fresh light but surprising light on this chapter…. This is must reading for all those who would know more about Paul’s vision of the human future.”
—Ben Witherington, III, Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary