Commentaries can be useful for “getting your bearings” on a particular book or passage, but should not be a substitute for your own work (in my opinion).
I usually start by searching commentaries for background, historical and archeological evidence — which they typically do really well. Then I do my own study, generate a list of questions to answer. When I get stuck on the questions or want to see what others think, I come back to commentaries. Sometimes that generates more questions, and sometimes that confirms answers. I also turn to commentaries which I hit a “dead end” and don’t know what step to take next. (I call that “study block”, like writer’s block.)
You can buy multi-volume commentaries or one-volume commentaries. Before buying books, check your bible study software. Many times you can buy great commentaries as electronic add-ons and plug-ins to your software. Don’t forget to include online sermons and podcasts in your commentary search. There’s now a wealth of those online!
My commentary rules:
- Always consult more than one commentary.
- Consult both classic and contemporary works.
Examples:
Adventuring Through the Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to the Entire Bible, by Ray C Stedman. (My favorite 1-volume commentary)
New International Bible Commentary, 1 volume, ed. FF Bruce (Zondervan)
Tyndale Commentaries, multi-volume (InterVarsity Press)
New Bible Commentary, 1-Volume commentary. (InverVarsity Press)
Online Commentaries & Study Bibles
Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible
Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible
John MacArthur’s Introductions to each book of the Bible
For more online classic commentaries see studylight.org
RC Sproul’s Overivew of the Bible
ESV Introductions to each book of the Bible
Jensen’s Survey of the Old Testament & New Testament
For modern commentary recommendations, try one of these:
Top 5 Commentaries on every book of the Bible – Ligonier.org
Best Commentaries on…. – Tim Challies
Historical Information
Alfred Edersheim: Sketches of Jewish Social Life
Alfred Edersheim: Old Testament History
Alfred Edersheim: The Temple —Its Ministry and Services
Alfred Edersheim: The Life & Times of Jesus the Messiah
The Works of Flavious Josephus
The Antiquities of the Jews – Josephus
The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem – Josephus
Jacob Abbott: Cyrus the Great (1904)
Jaocob Abbott: Darius the Great (1904)
The Apostolic Fathers by J. B. Lighfoot