Arland J. Hultgren, Pauls Letter to the Romans: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011.

Chapter Nine

Addressing, as it does, only Romans 15:14-33, this chapter is the shortest in the book. And its contents are the least substantial (in the sense that there is very little discussed here and hence very little liable to discussion). In the present section of Romans Hultgren believes (correctly) that Paul is describing his mission strategy (though, mercifully, Hultgren spares us the overused and emergent inspired nonsensical term missional, for which I for one am eternally grateful). That strategy, were told is that he will not start a distinct Pauline mission in Rome in competition to the existing Roman community of faith or seek to refashion it so that it reflects his emphases (p. 538). Though Hultgren is probably right it may be a bit much for a commentator to assert the motives of any author so boldly. Paul may well have planned to do exactly what Hultgren says he would not do. We have no way of knowing, really, since he doesnt tell us and even if he did, the entire tone of the letter does seem to imply that Paul wants them to see things his way else why bother writing the letter at all? Hes obviously trying to refashion something! The (as I said) brief chapter concludes with this Formally, this verse marks the end of the body of the letter. In chapter 16 Paul goes on to send greetings (p. 564). Thats the subject of the next, last, and final installment of this already too long review. So, next time the final pericope and various closing remarks are coming your way.

Jim West Quartz Hill School of Theology