Best Commentaries

Derek Thomas is John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at the Jackson campus of Reformed Theological Seminary. The reviews here are the "Recommended" commentaries listed in his The Essential Commentaries for a Preacher's Library 2nd edition, updated with John Tweeddale and published by First Pres Press and used with permission.

Genesis

Currid, John D. Genesis. 2 Vols. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2003. Easy to read yet biblically robust expositions that seek to bridge the gap between technical and popular commentaries. Upholds a literal, six-day creation account and provides a helpful introduction to 'seed-theology.'

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis. 2 Vols. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987. It is difficult to imagine a less user-friendly layout than the Word Biblical Commentary Series. The series is uneven and occasionally goes overboard in literary/source criticism. But at least one up-to-date, critical commentary on Genesis should be on our shelves, and this is about the best. Maintians a literary view of Genesis 1.

Exodus

Childs, Brevard S. Exodus. OTL. Westminster John Knox, 1974. Adopts a critical stance.

Currid, John D. Exodus. 2 Vols. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2000. In a refreshing way pays close attention to the text without getting bogged down in critical discussions. Helpful section on the Decalogue in volume 2.

Motyer, J. Alec. The Message of Exodus. BST. InterVarsity Press, 2005. A superb commentary. Scholarly, simple, and sensible. While focusing on the text his footnotes will point eager students in the right direction for further study.

Leviticus

Tidball, Derek. The Message of Leviticus. BST. InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1979. Ambivalent regarding dating but exegesis of text is extremely useful.

Currid, John D. Leviticus. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2005. Clearly and cogently presents Leviticus as a series of directories for public worship and establishes the importance of Leviticus for the NT. Especially helpful on the Holiness Code.

Numbers

Philip, James. Numbers. TPC. Thomas Nelson, 2001.

Wenham, Gordon J. Numbers. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 2008. Overall, a good, brief exposition of the text. While his introductory discussions are solid (esp. on typology), his discussion on the transmission of the text is at points muddied.

Deuteronomy

Craigie, Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1976. Especially helpful on the role of the covenant in Deuteronomy.

Joshua

Woudstra, Marten H. The Book of Joshua. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1981. It is difficult to recommend a single commentary on Joshua, and this one is not as good as it could be.

Davis, Dale Ralph. Joshua. FB. Christian Focus Publications, 2000. Sets the standard for how to expound and apply historical narrative.

Judges

Davis, Dale Ralph. Judges. FB. Christian Focus Publications, 2000. An exemplary "theo-centric exposition" - full of anecdotes and applications. Those looking for more background information, see Block.

Block, Daniel I. Judges-Ruth. NAC. Broadman Holman, 1999.

Ruth

Hubbard, Robert L. The Book of Ruth. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1989. A substantial commentary in size and achievement.

Duguid, Iain M. Esther And Ruth. REC. Presbyterian and Reformed, 2005. Look for this series to set the standard for reformed, expository commentaries.

1/2 Samuel

Baldwin, Joyce. 1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC. IVP Academic, 2008. This is a brief commentary, but other commentaries, e.g. the two by Klein and Anderson in the Word Biblical Commentary Series, are heavily into text and literary criticism and have very little to help busy preachers.

Davis, Dale Ralph. 1 Samuel. FB. Christian Focus Publications, 2000.

Davis, Dale Ralph. 2 Samuel. FB. Christian Focus Publications, 1999.

1/2 Kings

Davis, Dale Ralph. 1 Kings: Wisdom and the Folly. FB. Christian Focus Publications, 2003. A theological expository commentary

Davis, Dale Ralph. 2 Kings: The Power and the Fury. FB. Christian Focus Publications, 2005. A theological expository commentary

1/2 Chronicles

Dillard, Raymond B. 2 Chronicles. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987. Masterful exegesis. His interaction with Samuel-Kings and Chronicles is thorough; however, you may be left wanting for application of the text.

Pratt, Richard L. 1 & 2 Chronicles. MOT. Mentor, 1997. Excellent! Keeps the theology of the text central. Identifies 28-major biblical-theological motifs.

Allen, Leslie C. 1 & 2 Chronicles. TPC. Thomas Nelson, 2002. Helpful tips for preaching.

Ezra/Nehemiah

Kidner, Derek. Ezra & Nehemiah. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1981. Succinct. Helpful appendices on historical matters.

Fensham, F. Charles. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1983. A serious commentary; takes a traditional approach to dating, theology, etc.

Esther

Baldwin, Joyce. Esther. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1984. A short commentary; pays close attention to literary and historical aspects.

Duguid, Iain M. Esther And Ruth. REC. Presbyterian and Reformed, 2005. Look for this series to set the standard for reformed, expository commentaries.

Job

Andersen, Francis I. Job. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1981.

Clines, David J. A. Job. 3 Vols. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 2009. This is the most comprehensive commentary on Job 1-20 available. Volumes 2 and 3 are still pending. Clines deserves to be read thoroughly, though there are times when he is irritatingly defensive on Christological implications in the 'big' texts in Job. For a summary, consult his commentary in the New Bible Commentary, 21st Century Edition, pp. 459-484.

Psalms

Allen, Leslie C. Psalms 101-150. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 2002. This commentary has serious weaknesses in setting the psalms in a New Testament context.

Kidner, Derek. Psalms. 2 Vols. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1981.

Craigie, Peter C. Psalms 1-50. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 2005. These volumes are uneven in quality and orthodoxy. Craigie does not accept the imprecations in the psalms as inspired: "These psalms are not the oracles of God." p. 41. See War Psalms of the Prince of Peace, below, for a good treatment of the imprecations of the Psalms. These three volumes from the Word Biblical Commentary are included because of the great deal of modern research in psalm genre this century. A modern commentary is, therefore, essential. But little sermonic help will be found in these volumes.

Tate, Marvin E. Psalms 51-100. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 2005.

Plumer, William S. Studies in the Book of Psalms. J.B. Lippincott, 1866. Still one of the best. Especially helpful are his 'doctrinal and practical remarks.'

Proverbs

Hubbard, David Allan. Proverbs. TPC. Thomas Nelson, 2002.

Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs. 2 Vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2004. A lifetime achievement. This historio-grammatical commentary is sure to set the standard for commentaries on Proverbs for years to come. A definitive work.

Bridges, Charles. Proverbs. CCC. Crossway, 1846. Bridges was a first -class scholar and pastor. Though dates, his keen exegesis and searching application show that commentaries can be both scholarly and practical.

Ecclesiastes

Bridges, Charles. Ecclesiastes. GEN. Banner Of Truth, 1981. Bridges was a first -class scholar and pastor. Though dates, his keen exegesis and searching application show that commentaries can be both scholarly and practical.

Longman, III, Tremper. The Book of Ecclesiastes. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1997. Takes Qohelet as 'a type of pseudonym.' Maintains two speakers 1) Qohelet (1:12-12:7) and 2) an unnamed individual (1:1-11 and 12:8-14). Interesting but too idiosyncratic.

Isaiah

Motyer, J. Alec. The Prophecy of Isaiah. InterVarsity Press, 1998. A heavier and more detailed study than his commentary in the TOTC.

Young, Edward J. Isaiah. 3 Vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1969. Young has now been replaced in the NICOT series by John N. Oswalt, a sensible commentary worth consulting, but is still preferred.

Jeremiah

Ryken, Philip Graham. Jeremiah and Lamentations: From Sorrow to Hope. PtW. Crossway Books, 2001. A superb commentary. Includes a helpful index of sermon illustrations.

Thompson, John A. The Book of Jeremiah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1980. Provides much more detailed exegetical and historical discussions than Ryken. The two compliment each other nicely.

Lamentations

Garrett, Duane A.; House, Paul R. Song of Songs, Lamentations. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 2004.

Ezekiel

Duguid, Iain M. Ezekiel. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1999.

Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel. 2 Vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1997. Technical and thorough. However, his 'Theological Implications' are proportionally brief. Though a wealth of information, a busy pastor may find Duguid a more helpful tool.

Stuart, Douglas. Ezekiel. TPC. Thomas Nelson, 2002. Exceptionally good.

Daniel

Ferguson, Sinclair B. Daniel. TPC. Thomas Nelson, 2002. Outstanding. 6th century date.

Longman, III, Tremper. Daniel. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1999. 6th century date.

Goldingay, John. Daniel. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1989. Despite a 2nd century date and viewing the visions as pseudonymous 'quasi-prophecy,' deals ably with the text.

Hosea

Stuart, Douglas. Hosea - Jonah. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987. Gomer is presented typically as a harlot because she is a member of wayward Israel not because she was immoral. Clever but not convincing! Nevertheless, a very good commentary.

Joel

Stuart, Douglas. Hosea - Jonah. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987.

Amos

Stuart, Douglas. Hosea - Jonah. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987.

Obadiah

Stuart, Douglas. Hosea - Jonah. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987.

Jonah

Stuart, Douglas. Hosea - Jonah. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987.

Micah

Alexander, T. Desmond; Baker, David W.; Waltke, Bruce K. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1989.

Allen, Leslie C. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1976.

Nahum

Robertson, O. Palmer. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1990. A masterfully done commentary. Nicely weds a redemptive-historical hermeneutic with a pastor's touch.

Habakkuk

Robertson, O. Palmer. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1990. A masterfully done commentary. Nicely weds a redemptive-historical hermeneutic with a pastor's touch.

Zephaniah

Robertson, O. Palmer. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1990. A masterfully done commentary. Nicely weds a redemptive-historical hermeneutic with a pastor's touch.

Haggai

Verhoef, Pieter A. The Books of Haggai and Malachi. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1987.

Malachi

Kaiser, Walter C. Malachi: God's Unchanging Love. Baker Publishing Group, 1984.

Matthew

Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. PNTC. Eerdmans, 1992.

Carson, D. A. Matthew. 2 Vols. EBC. Zondervan, 1984.

Mark

Cranfield, C.E.B. . The Gospel according to St Mark: An Introduction and Commentary. Cambridge University Press, 1959.

Lane, William L. The Gospel of Mark. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1974.

Luke

Bock, Darrell L. Luke. 2 Vols. BECNT. Baker, 1994. Bock is a preeminent scholar on Luke. These two gigantic commentaries are to be preferred to Marshall. There is a great deal of theological comment in these volumes which make them very useful for sermon preparation. However, Bock does not always come down on one side in issues of controversy. He is a progressive dispensationalist.

Bock, Darrell L. Luke. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1996. Yes, a third commentary on Luke! This will be the most helpful for application.

Bock, Darrell L. Luke. IVPNTC. InterVarsity Press, 1995. A smaller version of [his BECNT work].

John

Ridderbos, Herman. The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary. Eerdmans, 1997. A masterful redemptive-historical commentary.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. PNTC. Eerdmans, 1990. The best!

Acts

Bruce, F. F. The Book of the Acts. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1954. A classic. Strong on history and more accessible than his Greek commentary [1990, IVP].

Romans

Moo, Douglas J. Encountering the Book of Romans: A Theological Survey. EBS. Baker Academic, 2002.

Murray, John. Romans. 2 Vols. NICNT. , 1965. Though replaced by Moo, this ranks as one of the finest Reformed commentaries ever written. Murray was a master exegete and brilliant systematician. Every shelf should have a copy of this commentary.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. BECNT. Baker, 1998. Coupled with Murray on the one hand and Moo on the other, you will gain a firm exegetical and theological grasp of a text. Note that since his commentary, Schreiner has changed his view from seeing righteousness as 'transformative' to 'forensic,' see Paul: Apostle of God's Glory in Christ (Downers Grove; IVP, 2001), p. 192.n2.

Cranfield, C.E.B. . Romans. 2 Vols. ICC. T&T Clark, 1975.

Moo, Douglas J. Romans. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2000.

Moo, Douglas J. The Epistle to the Romans. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1996. A colossal commentary (over a thousand pages!). Moo's interpretation of Romans 7 is definitely not recommended; nevertheless, his commentary has already become a standard and has more to offer than Cranfield. See his contribution on Romans in the New Bible Commentary, 21st edition for shorter treatment.

1 Corinthians

Hodge, Charles. 1 Corinthians. CCC. Crossway, 1995. Truly a classic.

Pratt, Richard L. I & II Corinthians. HNTC. B&H Publishing Group, 2000. A nice blend of exposition, theology, and application.

Naylor, Peter. 1 Corinthians. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2004.

2 Corinthians

Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. Second Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1962. Has been replaced by Paul Barnett in the NICNT series.

Pratt, Richard L. I & II Corinthians. HNTC. B&H Publishing Group, 2000. A nice blend of exposition, theology, and application.

Hodge, Charles. 2 Corinthians. CCC. Crossway, 1995.

Naylor, Peter. 2 Corinthians. 2 Vols. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2002.

Galatians

George, Timothy. Galatians. NAC. Broadman Holman, 1994. A wonderful commentary written by an accomplished church historian who shows himself an able biblical scholar.

Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 1982.

Ryken, Philip Graham. Galatians. REC. Presbyterian and Reformed, 2005. A model commentary: expositional, pastoral, confessional, and Christological.

Ephesians

Hodge, Charles. Ephesians. CCC. Crossway, 1994. Still one of the best commentaries to turn to and the most reliable guide to put into the hands of the average reader.

O'Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Ephesians. PNTC. Eerdmans, 1999. A masterful work. Consult before Lincoln.

Lincoln, Andrew T. Ephesians. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1990. This is regarded as one of the best commentaries on Ephesians despite the face that Lincoln does not think Paul wrote it! For discerning readers only, then.

Philippians

Silva, Moises. Philippians. BECNT. Baker, 2005.

Thielman, Frank S. Philippians. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1995.

O'Brien, Peter T. The Epistle to the Philippians. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 1991.

Fee, Gordon D. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1995.

Muller, Jacobus J. Epistles of Paul to the Philippians. NICNT. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955.

Colossians

O'Brien, Peter T. Colossians, Philemon. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1984.

1/2 Thessalonians

Wanamaker, Charles A. The Epistles to the Thessalonians. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 1990.

Green, Gene L. The Letters to the Thessalonians. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2002.

Pastoral Epistles

Knight, III, George W. The Pastoral Epistles. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 1992.

Barcley, William B. 1 and 2 Timothy. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2005.

Philemon

Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1984.

O'Brien, Peter T. Colossians, Philemon. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Hebrews

Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Eerdmans, 1987. Outstanding.

Owen, John. Hebrews. CCC. Crossway, 1998. A lifetime accomplishment. One of the finest and most exhaustive expositions ever written. The story is told that upon completion Own is said to have exclaimed, "Now my work is done; it is time to die!"

Brown, John. Hebrews. Banner Of Truth, 1961.

Lane, William L. Vol 47 Hebrews. 2 Vols. WBC. , 1991.

James

Moo, Douglas J. James: An Introduction and Commentary. TNTC. Eerdmans, 2007. Not as thorough as his Pillar Commentary.

Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2000.

Manton, Thomas. James. GEN. Banner Of Truth, 1998.

1 Peter

Michaels, J. Ramsey. 1 Peter. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1988. Dates 1 Peter late.

Brown, John. The First Epistle of Peter. 2 Vols. , 1975.

2 Peter/Jude

Bauckham, Richard J. Jude, 2 Peter. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1983. Does not believe Peter wrote it!

Johannine Epistles

Candlish, Robert. 1 John. The Banner of Truth Trust, 1973.

Revelation

Hendriksen, William. More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Baker Books, 1998. Very accessible and readable. The opening section is crucial reading for interpreting apocalyptic literature. Amillennial.

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation. NIGTC. Eerdmans, 1998. A monumental and comprehensive work. Amillennial.