Derek Thomas

Very accessible and readable. The opening section is crucial reading for interpreting apocalyptic literature. Amillennial.

A monumental and comprehensive work. Amillennial.

Does not believe Peter wrote it!

Dates 1 Peter late.

Not as thorough as his Pillar Commentary.

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!"

Outstanding.

A masterful work. Consult before Lincoln.

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.

Still one of the best commentaries to turn to and the most reliable guide to put into the hands of the average reader.

A model commentary: expositional, pastoral, confessional, and Christological.

A wonderful commentary written by an accomplished church historian who shows himself an able biblical scholar.

A nice blend of exposition, theology, and application.

Has been replaced by Paul Barnett in the NICNT series.

A nice blend of exposition, theology, and application.

Truly a classic.

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.

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.

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.

A classic. Strong on history and more accessible than his Greek commentary [1990, IVP].

A masterful redemptive-historical commentary.

The best!

Yes, a third commentary on Luke! This will be the most helpful for application.

A smaller version of [his BECNT work].

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.

A masterfully done commentary. Nicely weds a redemptive-historical hermeneutic with a pastor's touch.

A masterfully done commentary. Nicely weds a redemptive-historical hermeneutic with a pastor's touch.

A masterfully done commentary. Nicely weds a redemptive-historical hermeneutic with a pastor's touch.

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.

Despite a 2nd century date and viewing the visions as pseudonymous 'quasi-prophecy,' deals ably with the text.

6th century date.

Outstanding. 6th century date.

Exceptionally good.

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.

A superb commentary. Includes a helpful index of sermon illustrations.

Provides much more detailed exegetical and historical discussions than Ryken. The two compliment each other nicely.

Young has now been replaced in the NICOT series by John N. Oswalt, a sensible commentary worth consulting, but is still preferred.

A heavier and more detailed study than his commentary in the TOTC.

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.

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.

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

Still one of the best. Especially helpful are his 'doctrinal and practical remarks.'

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.

This commentary has serious weaknesses in setting the psalms in a New Testament context.

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.

Look for this series to set the standard for reformed, expository commentaries.

A short commentary; pays close attention to literary and historical aspects.

Succinct. Helpful appendices on historical matters.

A serious commentary; takes a traditional approach to dating, theology, etc.

Excellent! Keeps the theology of the text central. Identifies 28-major biblical-theological motifs.

Masterful exegesis. His interaction with Samuel-Kings and Chronicles is thorough; however, you may be left wanting for application of the text.

Helpful tips for preaching.

A theological expository commentary

A theological expository commentary

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.

A substantial commentary in size and achievement.

Look for this series to set the standard for reformed, expository commentaries.

An exemplary "theo-centric exposition" - full of anecdotes and applications. Those looking for more background information, see Block.

It is difficult to recommend a single commentary on Joshua, and this one is not as good as it could be.

Sets the standard for how to expound and apply historical narrative.

Especially helpful on the role of the covenant in Deuteronomy.

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.

Ambivalent regarding dating but exegesis of text is extremely useful.

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.

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.

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.

Adopts a critical stance.

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.'

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.