Let’s talk about commentaries

I understands the red flags that often come up when talking about this issue, and I am in no way trying to say that commentaries are flawless and cannot be misused, I just want this particular thread to be about the positive side…not the destructive habits one can pick up by not developing their own thoughts through meditation and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I know there are many views about whether one should consult them at all, but I hope that discussions takes place in a different thread.

So…let’s talk about commentaries.

I really enjoy commentaries and biographies for that matter. I think A.W. Tozer said it best when he said: "These people know God, and I want to know what they know about God and how they came to know it,"

I often pick one up and just start reading. As deep as we can get in our studies it’s still amazing to see what some of the saints of old had to say about a particular scripture; I look at it like asking my Grandpa or an elder at Church.

I like old commentaries. As a matter of fact all I have are old commentaries. There’s something special about reading the words of a man that never knew what electricity was. We often forget what it was like back in the day. These men not only didn’t watch sports center they had no idea what a TV was let alone a computer or cell phone.

I have really enjoyed The Pulpit Commentary. It’s a massive amount of info. I have never consulted it without learning something beneficial.

So…what commentaries have blessed you?

I love old commentaries also, I did notice and I think an important observation that the older the better, I bought one printed in 2001 and compared some thoughts to a 1950 pulpit commentary, the newer one was pretty weak on some tough topics, also remember that liberalism was sneaking into the church soon after the azuza street revival, so back in around 1909 a group of scholars came up with the fundamentals.
once was a 13 volume set but now you can get it in print in a two volume set, quite eye opening.
when intreperting scripture we try not to allow what's popular or what society is doing to sway our view of what God is saying.
Some views of mine in my circle of friends gets me labeled as a legalist, but I guess saul thought Samuel was being legalistic as well.
you have a great day :-)

I have the two volume set and you are right...very eye opening.

In my limited use of it, the Macarthur Study Bible has been very useful and easy to access. Also, using the commentary has opened up some questions I would not have come to myself, which is very refreshing.

Generally speaking, I have found the New International Commentaries on the OT (NICOT) and NT (NICNT) series to be the best. They are written by the best of conservative evangelical scholars, but aren't written merely for the academy, but for the local church setting. Most of the commentaries in this series are generally up to date with the latest of scholarship.

What's the name of the two volume set?

The Fundamentals by R.A. Torrey

This is the description given at Christianbook.com

First published as a four volume set in 1909, The Fundamentals is now available in this beautiful and accessible two volume set. This remarkable defense and survey of classic Christian thought profoundly influenced Christian thinking in conservative circles for the whole of the twentieth century. This edition features the original, unabridged text with 100 articles authored by leading scholars including B. B. Warfield, James Orr, R. A. Torrey, Arno Gaebelein, and Arthur T. Pierson.

Here is the link

[url=http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=012643&netp_id=304836&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW]The Fundamentals[/url]

A retired missionary gave me the entire set of John Calvin's commentaries... it's pretty good stuff, and not as much into calvinism as I thought it would be.

I really like Adam Clarke and John Wesley. They both have good insights.

Jordan

To my opinion i will list 3 commenteries as the best and they are equally important to me.Listed in chronological order :

- Mathew Henry
- Adam Clark
- William Macdonald

Henry is a great calvinist bible expositor + Clark a great arminian methodist expositor can help you find a theological balance and powerful & deep insights in the word of God.

William Macdonald who was a well known teacher of plymouth brethren does a great job on rightly dividing the word of God, especially when the bible talks about deffrent dispensations,prophecies to be fulfilled, eschatology, end times,tribulation period, 1000 reign of Christ,ect, ect.

I have read very very little portions from the 3 mentioned teachers commentaries but it's my spiritual conviction they are some of the best bible expositors.

I also enjoy Matthew Henry's alot i have the one volume set and that's fine and portable too.Nelson also has a nice cheap one called the "King James Bible Commentary"I enjoy John Courson's commentaries two volumes old, one volume New Testament these are culled from His sermons very modern and practical.Barnes commentaries are great too.J.Vernon McGee's Thru the Bible series is fine and any of Alfred Edersheim's commentaries are good too!
Love in Christ
Brian

A retired missionary gave me the entire set of John Calvin's commentaries... it's pretty good stuff, and not as much into calvinism as I thought it would be.

:-)

crsschk wrote:

A retired missionary gave me the entire set of John Calvin's commentaries... it's pretty good stuff, and not as much into calvinism as I thought it would be.

:-)

I'm really blessed. The first time I was over at his house he pulled out boxes and started filling them with books. He gave me 65 books in all the first time that I was there -Andrew Murray, AW Tozer, Whitfield, Spurgeon, Wesley, Mueller, Reese Howell, Sadhu Sundar Singh, John Hyde etc.

Ever time I visit his house I recieve so much encouragement and blessing (and usually a book or two).

i have the MH commentary and i find it very good and im thinking of getting this one [url=http://www.amgpublishers.com/www/docs/126.53/parallel-commentary-nt.html?PHPSESSID=ebc57d594d68bcb8752aade65da8ae0f]Spurgeon,Wesley,Henry Parallel Commentary on the New Testament[/url]

That does look awesome!

i have the MH commentary and i find it very good and im thinking of getting this one Spurgeon,Wesley,Henry Parallel Commentary on the New Testament

I have this….it’s very disappointing. It sounds really good, but it’s just parts of sermons by Wesley in which he may have mentioned the verse you want to get comments on. Same with the Spurgeon part.

tjservant wrote:

i have the MH commentary and i find it very good and im thinking of getting this one Spurgeon,Wesley,Henry Parallel Commentary on the New Testament

I have this….it’s very disappointing. It sounds really good, but it’s just parts of sermons by Wesley in which he may have mentioned the verse you want to get comments on. Same with the Spurgeon part.

thank you for this info, i have been waiting to buy this. I dont buy if i do not know how the inside is....it "sounded" very good.... :-(