I have just had occasion again to read through this landmark study of the New Testament teaching on sanctification, and I have found it as delightful this time as I did the previous reads. It is for many reasons a book that deserves re-reading, if nothing else because it is such a needed corrective to our traditional understanding (and abuse) of Scripture’s “sanctification-holiness” terminology.
But what struck me this time through is what a helpful overview exposition he provides of Romans 6-8 (pages 96-120). Though I do not share his perspective of who is in view in the famously debated passage, Romans 7:14-25, I am still struck by the clarity of his exposition of chapters 6-8 overall. The concept of the overlap of the ages dominates the entire passage: in Christ we are liberated from sin but not yet entirely free from the old age.
We’ve noted Peterson’s landmark work on sanctification here several times, but this post is just to highlight another specific feature of this book that makes it such a profitable read. Peterson’s exposition of Romans 6-8 is both comprehensive and precise, a most valuable aid to any preacher working his way through this part of Romans.
Honestly, I should point out the same with regard to multiple biblical passages that Peterson treats in the same “overview-exposition” fashion, but today it was his treatment of Romans 6-8 that struck me as so helpful.
Enjoy!
Fred G. Zaspel