9 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bible Commentary

Purchasing a commentary for the first time can be very exciting. That is until you get to the bookstore or Amazon. There so many different options that its easy to feel overwhelmed. So, here are some practical tips for choosing the perfect commentary.

As a general rule, when choosing a commentary for the first time you will want to consider your purpose and budget. Different commentaries are geared toward different audiences. So, analyze the commentaries to see which ones best fit your needs.

Finding the perfect Bible commentary for you is possible. These tips will help you find one that you are comfortable using and that will aid in you experiencing the Bible in a way that you encounter God.

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1. Look for Commentaries Geared Toward Beginners

If you are starting to study the Bible for the first time, then getting the latest and the greatest academic commentary is not going to help encourage your Bible study habit. There are commentaries specifically written for beginners.

These types of commentaries typically include supplemental elements and explanations that make understanding the BIble easier. They will often simplify concepts, clearly explain the historical and cultural background, and provide clear definitions of theological terms.

This part, of providing clear definitions of biblical or theological terms, is the best part. It’s an often overlooked benefit. I’ve found that even those who have grown up as Christians benefit greatly from having a clear definition of biblical terms when starting to study the Bible.

2. Consider the Author’s Accessability

Another thing to consider when purchasing a commentary for the first time is the authors’ accessibility. Not all author’s write with the beginner in mind. Even if they do, sometimes the way they word things can be confusing or unclear to a reader.

Look into the author’s background, credentials, and theological perspective. Are they in line with your beliefs or goals. When starting out, it’s good to have a commentary that aligns with your beliefs in goals. Though, it will be beneficial to read from different perspectives down the road.

Some authors are known for clarity and accessibility. One of the first ones that comes to my mind is Dr. Tony Evans. He does a phenomenal job explaining complex biblical and theological concepts in a clear and insightful way. Recently, Tony Evans came out with a commentary on the whole Bible.

3. Determine Which Type of Commentary You Want

Determining what type of commentary you want will also make choosing a bible commentary much easier. There different types of commentaries for different purposes and reading levels. There are commentaries for beginners, academics, and those in between.

Then there are different styles of commentaries for different purposes. These different styles include,

• Exegetical: These commentaries focus heavily on historical and cultural context, as well as linguistic analysis to determine the meaning the original audience would understand.
• Expository/Homiletical: These commentaries are typically more middle of the road and will explain the historical and cultural context, but not to the depth of the exegetical commentaries. They provide readers with a clear understanding of a passages meaning.
• Devotional: These commentaries are very introductory and will explain a passage of Scripture, but focus heavily on spiritual growth and application.

Still not sure what type of commentary is best for you? Then take a bit of time to learn more about the different types of commentaries and discover the best one for you.

4. Decide if You Want A Whole Bible Commentary or Single Book Commentary

Other than types of commentaries, you may want to consider if you should start with a whole bible commentary or a single book commentary.

As the name implies a whole bible commentary covers the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. These will typically go through the entire Bible passage-by-passage and offer commentary on each passage. Whole Bible commentaries are great if you want to see the unified big picture story of the Bible.

Single book commentaries cover a single book in the Bible (no surprise there). These will usually go through the specific book verse-by-verse and offer literary, historical, and theological commentary on each verse. Single book commentaries are great if you want a more focused look at a book of the Bible.

Here are some pros and cons of each:

	Pros	Cons
Whole Bible Commentaries	Consistency Useful Reference Big Picture Overview	Lack of Depth Limited Focus
Single Book Commentaries	In Depth Analysis Focused Study Clear Application	Limited Coverage Can Get Expensive

5. Expand Gradually

A very helpful tip in getting commentaries for the first time is to expand gradually. Commentaries can be expensive and getting a whole bunch all at one time is going to overwhelm you.

A beginner should start small and as they grow more comfortable with the expand into different commentary types. Start with an expository or devotional commentary. Then as you grow familiar with the Bible stories and with Bible study expand into the more in-depth exegetical commentaries.

You could also start with a whole Bible commentary and one single book commentary that you are interested in, and work through those. Then after you finish, get another single book commentary and work through it.

This practical step-by-step approach allows for a smoother learning curve with the Bible and Bible study in general. Thus, there is continual growth. By the way, if you learn to study the Bible I wrote an amazing article about 3 simple Bible study methods and how you can choose one that fits you.

6. Evaluate the Content Before You Buy

This next tip will provide the most benefit. Evaluate the commentary before you buy it. Reviewing sample sections or chapters will help you determine the depth of the commentary. Look for commentary of key verses or passages. Was it what you were expecting when you picked it up?

Obviously this is easier to do in person. So, consider visiting your local bookstore. Consider things like font size, depth of explanation, etc. Are you able to follow along with the author’s commentary?

Another great way to do this is to visit a local library. They may have some commentaries that you can evaluate. You can see which styles or series that you like, and even check them out for a trial run.

At the end of the day the commentary you choose should be able to help you study the Bible. It should be informative and relevant to you and your bible study needs, where you are at in your walk with God.

7. Seek Recommendations

Seeking recommendations is a great tip when choosing a commentary for the first time. Ask someone who know studies the Bible what commentaries they may recommend for you specifically. This can be a pastor, trusted friend, or fellow believers in a small group.

Their firsthand experience can shed light on what commentaries are beneficial for specific circumstances or situations. This can provide you with wise guidance and avoid some pitfalls that will hurt your Bible study habit.

This can also be done by looking at reviews online. By looking at online reviews you can see a consensus of what real uses liked and disliked about a particular commentary that you are considering. This will help find a commentary that best aligns with your goals and purpose.

8. Consider Your Budget

It’s always important to consider your financial situation when purchasing anything. This is especially true when purchasing commentaries. You want to make sure that you are making a wise investment. Some commentaries are very expensive, though there are budget friendly options.

By setting a budget and factoring in your goals and purpose you will automatically narrow the field of commentaries for you to choose from. There are multiple options at different prices for commentaries on the same book of the Bible.

As a general rule, your exegetical and more academic commentaries will be pricier than your devotional commentaries. Which is great news for beginners, as the lower priced options of say a commentary in Warren B. Wiersbe’s “Be” Series is a great place to start. They run an average of $15 dollars a book.

9. Consult Multiple Sources

The last tip for choosing a Bible concordance is to consult multiple sources. What do I mean by this? Well, after you get started studying the Bible with commentaries, it could prove beneficial to add other commentaries into the mix.

This can be commentaries from different authors or theological backgrounds. Consulting multiple sources will help you develop a well rounded understanding of a particular passage.

So, it’s okay to consider getting multiple commentaries for the same book of the Bible. If you can’t decide on a specific one, then get both if your budget allows.

While you are considering what type of commentary to purchase for your own Bible study bookshelf, you may want to check out these great free Bible commentary options.