Papyrological Commentary on the Letter to the Romans: Part 1

The New Testament (NT) contains the core texts of Christianity. The research project will deal with the Letter to the Romans, written by the Apostle Paul. It is probably the most important letter within the New Testament. It is of core importance for Protestant theology. Papyrological Commentaries to the NT evaluate documentary sources such as papyri, ostraca, as well as wooden and waxed tablets from Greco-Roman times in order to better understand the environment in which the NT in this case Pauls letter was written. The evaluation of such documentary sources from Egypt is an on-going research enterprise. Results of this research are published in a special commentary series (PKNT/Papyrologische Kommentare zum Neuen Testament published with Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht). The already published volumes of the PKNT-series show that the documentary sources can and have already shed light on some aspects of the NT and its environment. The text under research Pauls Letter to the Romans is concerning its content and level of Greek language one of the most demanding texts of the NT. Its interpretation is important not only for Christian theology, but also for Christian- Jewish dialogue. As such the research deals not only with the interpretation of a text from antiquity but may also contribute to the dialogue between two Abrahamitic religions.