Books on Saint Paul, his Life and his Letters
Recommended by local Biblical experts
From the earliest times, Christians found it a challenge to understand some aspects of Saint Paul's
writing.
… As our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you,
speaking of these things as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to
understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the
other scriptures. (2 Peter 3:15-16)
Today, we have the benefit of commentaries and reference books that offer background information to
help us understand St. Paul's writing. Following are works recommended by Biblical scholars and
teachers right here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Some will be helpful for beginners, and others are
intended for readers with more advanced background.
101 Questions and Answers on Paul, Ronald Witherup, Paulist Press, 2003. Recommended
by Dr. Dennis Sylva.
An Introduction to the New Testament, Raymond E. Brown (Anchor Bible Research
Library), Doubleday, 1997. Recommended by Rev. Stephen Lampe: “An excellent
introductory work that includes St. Paul’s writings.”
The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context (4th edition), Calvin J. Roetzel,
Westminster/John Knox Press, 1998. Recommended by Rev. Stephen Lampe, Dr. Dennis
Sylva, and Dr. Donald Rappé who calls it, “a very solid survey of writings attributed to Paul and
aspects of the Mediterranean world in which they arose.”
Making Sense of Paul: A Basic Introduction to Pauline Theology, Virginia Wiles,
Hendrickson, 2000. Recommended by Dr. Dennis Sylva and by Dr. Donald Rappé who
calls it “accessible and clear, with helpful visuals.”
Paul and Empire: Religion and Power in Roman Imperial Society, edited by Richard
Horsley, Trinity Press International, 1997. Recommended by Rev. Stephen Lampe:
“For those who are interested in the context in which Paul wrote.”
The Moral Teaching of Paul, Victor Furnish, Abingdon, 1979. An enduring text recommended
by Dr. Dennis Sylva.
Paul in Fresh Perspective, N. T. Wright, Fortress Press, 2005. Recommended by Dr. Rodrigo
Morales: “For the more advanced reader…provides a slightly more technical presentation of
key themes, with an eye to the contemporary import of Paul's message.”
Paul in the Greco-Roman World: A Handbook, edited by J. Paul Sampley, Trinity Press
International, 2003. Recommended by Dr. Donald Rappé: “A collection of articles
connecting aspects of ancient culture - such as marriage, family, suffering, friendship, the
military, and virtues – with those subjects in Paul's writings.”
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Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His Skills, Jerome Murphy-O’Connor,
Liturgical Press, 1995. Recommended by Dr. Donald Rappé: “Provides further insight into
Paul's correspondence by examining the nature of letter writing in the ancient world.”
Paul: His Story, Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Oxford University Press, 2004.
Recommended by Dr. Dennis Sylva; by Rev. Stephen Lampe who calls it “a widely read work
that has great appeal to scholars”; and by Bishop Richard Sklba who notes it is “a book which I
have enjoyed greatly.”
Paul: A Critical Life, Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Oxford University Press, 1996.
Recommended by Bishop Richard Sklba: “I have enjoyed greatly…more technical.”
Paul: Least of the Apostles, Alain Decaux, Pauline Books and Media, 2008. A new book
noted by Bishop Richard Sklba.
Paul: The Man and the Myth, Calvin Roetzel, Fortress Press, 1999. Recommended by Dr.
Dennis Sylva.
Praying with Saint Paul: Daily Reflections on the Letters of the Apostle Paul, edited by
Peter John Cameron, Magnificat, 2008. A new book noted by Bishop Richard Sklba.
Reading Paul, Michael J. Gorman, Cascade Books, 2008. Recommended by Dr. Rodrigo
Morales: “For beginner and educated reader alike, if I could only recommend one book on
Paul, it would be this… considers the letters both as historical texts and as Scripture that speaks
to us today.”
St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI, Liberia Editrice Vaticana / USCCB, 2008. Recommended by
Bishop Richard Sklba.
The Story of Romans: A Narrative Defense of God's Righteousness, A. Katherine Grieb,
Westminster John Knox Press, 2007. Recommended by Dr. Rodrigo Morales: “Also for
educators and lay readers…a slightly narrower study of the Letter to the Romans that could
serve as the basis for a group study, with reflection questions for each chapter.”
The Writings of the New Testament, Luke Timothy Johnson, Fortress Press, 1999.
Recommended by Rev. Stephen Lampe: “An excellent introductory study, including Paul and
his letters.”
These recommendations are offered by:
 Most Reverend Richard J. Sklba, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
 Rev. Stephen Lampe, Pastor, St. Joseph Parish; past assoc. professor, Saint Francis Seminary
 Dr. Rodrigo Morales, Assistant Professor, Marquette University
 Dr. Donald Rappé, Associate Professor, Mount Mary College
 Dr. Dennis Sylva, Director of Lifelong Faith Formation, St. Jerome Parish; past professor, Saint
Francis Seminary
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