New Translation In Print: Rollock On Romans

by R. Scott Clark on August 21, 2025 | Comment

Robert Rollock (1555–98) did not live very long but he was a hard-working Scotsman who left his mark on Reformed theology and especially in biblical commentary and the development of Reformed covenant theology. In his introduction to Rollock’s commentary on Ephesians, Casey Carmichael notes that Rollock was educated in St Andrews University, where he also taught.1 At age 38 he was called to found what would be become one of the great British universities, the University of Edinburgh, where he taught philosophy and theology. He was also an active preacher and, as this first-ever English translation of his 1595 commentary on Romans illustrates, a biblical commentator. He also wrote commentaries on Daniel, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, selected Psalms, the gospel of John, Colossians, Galatians, and Hebrews.2

He analyzed the book of Romans as being in three parts: 1) introduction, 2) doctrine, and 3) conclusion. The interpretation is solidly Reformed and informed by the Reformation. He had Luther in his bones. The reader will see the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, clearly explained, the law and gospel distinguished, and Romans interpreted relative to the covenants of works and grace.

Observations about his approach to a few passages might interest the reader. He took Romans 2:13 as an expression of the law but discussed other possibilities.

This passage does nothing for the merits of the Papists, or concerning this cause that here the apostle speaks about legal judgment, that is, which is to come according to the law and that covenant of works, especially since the speech in this entire passage concerns men considered outside of Christ, and seeking justification by their own works, as it is apparent from anticipations that are in this chapter and the following one.3

His great interest in Romans was chapter eight, where he spent the bulk of his time (115–204). In that chapter he found eight topics: foreknowledge and predestination, predestination to death, calling, sin, free will, the covenant of God, faith, hope, repentance, the sacrament, the church, justification and glorification, and good works. It is almost a mini-monograph on soteriology.

His discussion of the future “restoration of the Jews” (237–38) and his relation of that notion to election is interesting and refutes the claim that the Reformed were and are indifferent to the spiritual state of the Jews or “replacement” theologians.

Our author assumed a degree of education of his readers. After all, this commentary was originally published in Latin and this translation follows the Latin very closely. The reader will especially notice the Latinate quality of the translation in Rollock’s preface to the reader. The text of the commentary itself is easier going.

The book of Romans is obviously an important source for Reformed theology, and Rollock’s commentary on Romans was well-regarded when it appeared. We are blessed to live in a time when the riches of the Reformed past, and especially the Reformed engagement with Scripture, are being made available in English. It was not many years ago when English readers had no access to these texts and no idea that they ever would have access to them.

Robert Rollock, Commentary on Romans, trans. Casey Carmichael (2025) is available via Amazon in paperback ($24.95), hardcover ($34.95), and on Kindle ($9.99).

©R. Scott Clark. All Rights Reserved.

notes

  1. Robert Rollock, Commentary on Ephesians, trans. Casey Carmichael, Classic Reformed Theology Series vol. 5 (Reformation Heritage Books, 2021), xi–xii.
  2. Robert Rollock, Commentary on Romans, trans. Casey Carmichael (N. P., 2025).
  3. Rollock, Romans, 38.

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