This Bible commentary resource page is designed with you in mind.That's right. Once again we've brought you help. This time it's Bible commentary resources. These are choice right from my own shelf (and even some from my computer!) Unfortunately, some of these are out of print but can still be found through other publishers and online. If you haven't been in the Faith long enough to pick up our lingo, you may not know what a commentary is... A commentary is basically an explanation of biblical texts in the order they're given (example: Start in Genesis, end in Revelation.) Commentaries can aid you in understanding difficult texts without having to know a bunch of Greek and Hebrew. I prefer critical commentaries over devotional commentaries. Critical commentaries deal more with what the words of the text actually mean. Devotional commentaries tend more toward practical but, many times, opinionated (not always) "judgment calls." The problem is, commentators tend to be...to be...commentative! But, once again, we have to say, "Be careful, Bible student!" These men aren't perfect. Many had some interesting opinions about the Bible. Just because these men wrote a Bible commentary does not mean you need to believe everything they say. Make sure it squares with what the Bible says. Use discernment when reading these. Don't just swallow. Chew first! But I will say the scholars represented here are some of the "best of the best." They had wise things to say. We don't always have to come up with our own wisdom. We can listen to others who have gone before. Why reinvent the wheel if you don't have to. Just be careful, and enjoy God's Word more! Bible Commentary Sets on the Whole BibleBible Knowledge CommentaryAuthor - John Walvoord, Roy Zuck Publisher - Victor Books Based on the New International Version of the Bible, this solid Bible commentary provides simplistic Bible exposition at its best. Good scholarship makes this a definite plus for the Bible student. Author - Robert Jamieson, A.R. Faucett, David Brown Publisher - BiblioLife JFB (the initials of the last names of the three authors) has been the last word in critical commentary. They deal primarily with the text rather than making "judgment calls." These sometime get a little deep with the Greek. But I still say this is a must for any Bible student! Author - Matthew Henry Publisher - Hendrickson Any which way I say this, I'm going to get in trouble. So I'll just say it... It seems like the longer someone is dead, the more people hold his opinions up as truth. This is the case with Mr. Henry. Don't get me wrong. I like his commentaries. They're solid, and I use them a lot. But Mr. Henry tends to come from a very opinionated standpoint, and I often find myself at odds with the liberal justices he takes with the text. But this is probably one of the best examples of devotional commentaries. He does do some language study. But, for all intents and purposes, it's fairly straightforward. It's a must have regardless of the drawbacks! Author - J. Vernon McGee Publisher - Thru the Bible Books Although I don't have all of these in my personal library, I used them countless times in college. This easy to use resource rounds out this section of commentaries. Dr. McGee is a solid Bible expositor. We're deeply indebted to his biblical scholarship and practical application of scriptural Truth. One caveat with Dr. McGee... He tended to take positions on issues that aren't "historically Christian." His weak stance on abortion ruffled many a feather in his time. Such opinions definitely come through in his commentary. But these are few and far between. He's a good man with a good commentary! Great for the young-in-the-faith Bible student as well as the battle-hardened vet! Small Volume SetsBarclay Daily Study Bible SeriesAuthor - William Barclay Publisher - Westminster Press Although I don't agree with everything Mr. Barclay says, his Daily Bible Study Series is a great one for simplistic presentation of Bible passages. Comparable to Dr. McGee's series in readability and simplicity. Author - John F. MacArthur Jr. Publisher - Various Great resource if you can afford to get them. Dr. MacArthur is an expositor's expositor. He's more careful with the text than some of the others mentioned. These are a must for the serious student of the Bible. If you don't have the money, then you may want to purchase Pastor MacArthur's one volume commentary. Bible Commentary on Individual BooksExploring RomansAuthor - John Philips Publisher - Kregel Academic His simplistic approach adds a breath of fresh air to commentaries. It's been a while since I've used this one. But when I read it, I think I read it from cover to cover! A good Bible commentary and a definite must for the Romans fan. Not a must for the average Bible student. Author - Arthur Pink Publisher - Various I like Mr. Pink. But I'm not sure why. He claims one attribute that drives me nuts about many other Bible commentators... He tends to be extremely opinionated. He isn't for the beginner. You have to take a lot of what he says carefully. But at times, he's more careful than many others and isn't afraid to voice views that others may kick against. The Life of David is a great "no-nonsense" Bible commentary on the life of King David. Unfortunately, it's out of print. Used copies are rare and expensive. Author - Charles Haddon Spurgeon Publisher - Kregel Publications This guy had a brain-and-a-half in his head! And the Treasury reflects that. But it still makes sense. If you want to know the Psalms better, get this devotional work. Found the Bible commentary you want?
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