Commentaries and Study Bible

[STA]

Hi all,

 

Could your recommend a list of bible commentaries and study bibles on Accordance?

 

This is for personal bible study and teaching/preaching in church.

[Paul Meiklejohn]

STA, this is very much a personal matter.  What is your theological background and personal preferences, and I assume budget will play a part.  

 

Here are my top five of each not in any order of preference as certain study guides and commentaries will vary every from bible  book and even chapter and verse.

 

Study Bibles..

1)  NIV theological SB,  2) CBL OT & NT SB, 3) ESV SB, 4) Disciples’s SB, 5) Apologetics SB

 

Commentaries

1) Holman bible Commentary, 2) NIVAC, 3) NICOT/NT, 3/ SIL Exegetical, 4) Word Biblical, 5) Expositors BC

[ukfraser]

As paul has said, it so depends on your background.
 

Study bibles

The ones i have found most useful are the esv, jewish study bible and jewish annotated nt.

https://www.accordancebible.com/product/esv-study-add-on/
https://www.accordancebible.com/product/jewish-study-bible-notes-2nd-edition-2014/

https://www.accordancebible.com/product/jewish-annotated-new-testament-2nd-edition-2017/

 

i also use the new oxford for the apocrypha. 
https://www.accordancebible.com/product/new-oxford-annotated-bible-with-apocrypha-fully-revised-fifth-edition-2018/

 

commentaries

do you want a set or single volume?

For single volume the oxford is ok as it even covers the apocrypha but i still quite like the abridged expositors bible commentary but doesnt include the apocrypha

https://www.accordancebible.com/product/expositors-bible-commentary-abridged-edition-2-volumes/

https://www.accordancebible.com/product/oxford-bible-commentary/

 

for individual volumes on each bible book, on top of your background, for me, it is also important how the information is presented so i have found the wbc is the best for me but i have really found the nivac range great for personal use as they get me thinking about the passage in a different way. 
both of these present the material in a structured way which i find incredibly helpful and makes a major impact on which set i use.

https://www.accordancebible.com/product/word-biblical-commentary-61-volume-set/

https://www.accordancebible.com/product/niv-application-commentary-old-and-new-testament-43-volumes/

Edited September 12 by ukfraser

[Nathan Parker]

If you ask 10 Accordance users, you're probably going to get 11 answers. :-)

 

The answers are subjective and based on what you want direction you want to go in your Bible study.

 

However, I've personally enjoyed on commentaries: Moody, Butler Analytical Expositor, MacArthur NT, New American Commentary, and for more in-depth research, Word Biblical, Baker Exegetical, NICOT/NICNT, and UBS Handbooks, and EGGNT. I've used others as well.

 

For study Bibles, I've personally enjoyed: Complete Biblical Library, MacArthur, Thompson Chain (trying to get this one back), Reformation Heritage, Jewish Study Bible, Jewish Annotated NT, and I've dipped into Ryrie and Scofield before. I'm also a big fan of Charles Stanley's Study Bible we just released.

 

If there are any particular commentaries or study Bibles you'd like to see a video overview of, let me know, and I'll whip up some screencasts.

[ukfraser]

22 minutes ago, Nathan Parker said:

If you ask 10 Accordance users, you're probably going to get 11 answers. 🙂

Only 11???
 

🤣

[Nathan Parker]

:-) 

[Sean Nelson]

If I were to give my most generic recommendations without knowing theological preferences or background info:

Study Bibles: Any of the major publishers' flagship translation Study Bibles are generally good for background info, textual critical points of interest, and overviews of major positions on difficult passages. I tend to prefer the ESV Study notes, but that is just out of habit at this point. The CSB and NIV Study Bibles are good as well. I tend to avoid the more "special interest" Study Bibles.

 

Commentaries: If you're looking to go with a full set, I'd probably recommend something like NICOT/NICNT. Word Biblical Commentary is good too. Personally, I often find myself using the classic Tyndale Volumes. For something on the more devotional/preaching & application side of things, I'd check out James Montgomery Boice's commentaries.

 

Edit: I'd also mention the Holman Commentary. It's not the most detailed, but it's currently on sale at a great price, and a quick and easy way to get a lot of commentary bang for your buck.

[Nathan Parker]

I've also gotten a ton of use out of the Systematic Theology and Biblical Theology study Bibles. I gave my printed copies away and exclusively use them in Accordance now so I can use them in parallel with any Bible translation. They're excellent if you're new to either of these theological disciplines.

[Lorinda H. M. Hoover]

To give you yet another perspective, here are some I've found particularly helpful. 

 

For Commentaries, the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentaries, often known as ZIBBCOT and ZIBBCNT; they are pricy, so watch for a sale on them if you want to get them.  I appreciate the focus on the context, related literature, and what they have to say about customs, and practices, as well as all the illustrations/photos.  

If you use the Revised Common Lectionary, the Feasting on the Word Commentaries are quite good.

Both my husband and I are pastors.  My husband has been increasing his use of Accordance, and invested in the Hermeneia commentaries when they were on sale.  I didn't think we could afford for us both to purchase them, so I didn't get them.  He's been quite happy with them.

 

As far as Study Bibles, I second the Jewish Annotated New Testament and the Jewish Study Bible.  Because I'm United Methodist, I also often consult the Wesley Study Bible.

 

Not a study Bible per se, but I find the notes that accompany the NET Bible very helpful.  I don't use them as much as I used to, but there is a good bit of information there.  

 

Since you mentioned teaching, you might look at the Wright's Bible Study Series and the Beble For Everyone Commentary Series.  I find the Bible Study Series a helpful starting point for Bible Studies.  Both my husband and I got the Bible Study Series last time it was on sale, and he also got the Commentary Series.  (I"ve been buiding my Accordance library for well over a decade, and he's really just starting to)

[ukfraser]

As you can see from the above, Accordance has a lot of varied texts which meet a wide variety of styles and preferences. My suggestion would be to look at screenshots, try google or amazon for samples or get to a library or book shop or speak to you minister or contact nathan for more samples and have a good delve into the various resources and find which ones you find most helpful before investing in a lot on resources you then find dont actually meet your needs. Reviews can be useful but at the end of the day the resource has to suit the way you like to study/prepare.

 

but thanks for this interesting post!

 

;o) 

[STA]

@Paul Meiklejohn  @ukfraser @Nathan Parker @Sean Nelson @Lorinda H. M. Hoover

Thank you guys for sending through your recommendations and other revelant thoughts.

Apologies that I forgot to mentioned my theological perspective. My theological views are that of reformed theology.

I understand that many of the biblical studies and commentaries are budget dependent. But I am hoping to build my library slowly and will keenly (and with a thankful heart) be looking at the offers that Accordance so frequently releases.

In the meantime, I want to save the recommendations to my wishlist.

 

I hope we can keep this thread active and discuss about the commentaries and studies that everyone uses.

[ukfraser]

1 hour ago, STA said:

@Paul Meiklejohn  @ukfraser @Nathan Parker @Sean Nelson @Lorinda H. M. Hoover

Thank you guys for sending through your recommendations and other revelant thoughts.

My theological views are that of reformed theology.

Have you run a search for 'reformed' in the accordance store, that may give you some more ideas. 
one obvious is to start with some of the dead tree versions you already find useful. 
 

the sales though are mega useful for building your library, just need a bit of patience waiting for them to be on sale. 
 

enjoy and you can always bookmark this thread and come back to it in future to kick start it again. 
 

;o) 

[Sean Nelson]

1 hour ago, STA said:

My theological views are that of reformed theology.

With that background, I might also recommend:

 

Commentaries: Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary, Reformed Expository Commentary, Preaching the Word Commentary Series

 

Study Bibles: Reformation Study Bible 2015 (Plus Free Bonus Crucial Questions Series)

[Nathan Parker]

@ReformedDoc may also have some great suggestions for you. He's been building up a fantastic Accordance library.

[ReformedDoc]

On 9/12/2023 at 9:13 AM, STA said:

Hi all,

 

Could your recommend a list of bible commentaries and study bibles on Accordance?

 

This is for personal bible study and teaching/preaching in church.

As you can tell by my screen name, I am reformed also.

 

ESV STUDY BIBLE

 

NT USE OF OT (BEALE-CARSON)

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Beale-Carson Commentary)

 

EXPOSITOR’S BIBLE COMMENTARY

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (EBC)

.

EXPOSITOR’S BIBLE COMMENTARY NOTES

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Notes (EBC Notes)

 

CALVIN’S COMMENTARIES

Calvin’s Commentaries (complete) (Calvin)

 

BIBLE SPEAKS TODAY (OT)

The Bible Speaks Today (Old Testament) (Bible Speaks Today-OT)

 

BIBLE SPEAKS TODAY (NT)

The Bible Speaks Today (New Testament) (Bible Speaks Today-NT)

 

IVP OT BACKGROUND COMMENTARY
 

IVP NT BACKGROUND COMMENTARY (2ND ED.)

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (IVP-NT Commentary 2)

 

TYNDALE COMMENTARY (COMPLETE)

Tyndale Commentary (Tyndale Commentary)

 

This was already mentioned 

 

REFORMED EXPOSITORY COMMENTARY (26 VOLS.)

Reformed Expository Commentary (REC-26)

 

I like to use Exegetical Guides

 

VINCENT’S WORD STUDIES IN NT

Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament (Vincent-Word Studies)

 

ROBERTSON’S WORD PICTURES IN NT

Word Pictures in the New Testament (Word Pictures)

 

While these are not necessarily reformed, I find them to be a great help.

 

EXEGETICAL GUIDE TO GNT (9 VOLS.)

Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament (EGGNT-9)

 

SIL EXEGETICAL SUMMARY SERIES (33 VOLS.)

SIL Exegetical Summary Series (SIL Exegetical Summary-33)

 

LINGUISTIC & EXEGETICAL KEY TO GNT

The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament (GNT Key)

 

UBS TRANSLATORS’ HANDBOOKS OT

UBS Translator’s Handbooks: Old Testament (UBS Handbooks-OT)

 

UBS TRANSLATORS’ HANDBOOKS NT

UBS Translator’s Handbooks: New Testament (UBS Handbooks-NT)

 

Though it is not reformed the CBL is much more than a study bible, it is a commentary & a Lexicon.

 

CBL OT STUDY BIBLE

The Complete Biblical Library: The Old Testament Study Bible (CBL OT Study Bible)

 

CBL NT STUDY BIBLE

The Complete Biblical Library: The New Testament Study Bible (CBL NT Study Bible)

   

 

 

Edited September 14 by ReformedDoc

[Paul Meiklejohn]

If I can follow up Sean's point about the Holman Commentary.   I refer to it almost every week for sermon prep.  It may lack the depth of the more academic works, but it is extremely helpful for practical application and has a good overview of the text.  Considering it covers the whole bible and is presently reduced from $300 to $49.   This is a real bargain.

 

https://www.accordancebible.com/product/holman-old-and-new-testament-commentaries-32-volumes/

 

[Solly]

If I had only only two choices for commentaries I would get the UBS Translators' Hand Book set and the SIL Exegetical Summary Series.

 

ReformedDoc and I have an uncanny overlap within our libraries for two fellows from quite different church traditions. I think this implies that resources listed above by ReformedDoc would be useful for many users of various traditions.

 

—Joseph

[Lawrence]

@STA

Here are a couple of commentary surveys that you might be interested in. I can't find them in Accordance, but you can google for them. A couple of sources have them at the equivalent of about USD $20-25 each.

 

Old Testament Commentary Survey, 5th ed.
by Tremper Longman III

 

New Testament Commentary Survey, 7th ed.
by D. A. Carson

 

On 9/13/2023 at 8:39 PM, STA said:

My theological views are that of reformed theology.

 

Longman and Carson are well-known and respected in the reformed tradition.

Their commentary surveys tell you which individual volumes and which sets they recommend, together with why they recommend them.

Edited September 14 by Lawrence

[ReformedDoc]

15 hours ago, Solly said:

If I had only only two choices for commentaries I would get the UBS Translators' Hand Book set and the SIL Exegetical Summary Series.

 

ReformedDoc and I have an uncanny overlap within our libraries for two fellows from quite different church traditions. I think this implies that resources listed above by ReformedDoc would be useful for many users of various traditions.

 

—Joseph

I do not stay in the Reformed box because I went fully reformed after being more of a Cal-mini-an with a nonreformed background. I study the text at hand, glean & then come to a conclusion.