International Critical Commentary, Is it worth it?

Hello, good morning.
I would like some opinions on the ICC, why it should be purchased, what value it brings to the study of the Scriptures, and whether it contains useful and up-to-date information.

I looked up the resource on Amazon and I see that the authors are not always the same although Logos told me they are.

Thanks in advance!

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Yasmin Stephen

I looked up the resource on Amazon and I see that the authors are not always the same although Logos told me they are.

I cannot respond to your actual query but are you referring to International Critical Commentary | ICC (66 vols.)? If so, Logos does indicate that there are multiple authors:

OT: https://www.logos.com/product/260092/international-critical-commentary-series-old-testament-icc

NT: https://www.logos.com/product/49015/international-critical-commentary-series-new-testament-icc

Morgan

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281411#Comment_1281411

It depends on your needs. ICC are exhaustive in their scope, which often leaves the reader exhausted. If you want detailed discussion on textual variants, critical perspectives, and grammar - then ICC will be good for you. They assume you can read the original languages and do not use transliteration (at least not that I've noticed). If you're looking for more devotional style, or don't have a need for the more thorough academic discussion, then I'd recommend you skip it. But at the same time, it's great for deep dives into specific concerns. Want to dive into the Peter and the rock debate? Davies and Allison have over 50 pages on that section alone, compared to NIGTC by Nolland at 26 pages.

The quality depends on the author and how recent it's been. The oldest in the series is from Driver in 1895 on Deuteronomy, so assume they're outdated it certain fields. It looks like there is a bit of a revival in the series though. The most recent I have is Stuart Week's two volumes on Ecclesiastes 2022, which I've enjoyed.

DMB

I got most of my ICCs on sale, thru the years. They're good for odd pieces of info.

And yes, a Bible book can have multiple authors (old one, and recent).

AYB's the better choice though.

EDUARDO JIMENEZ

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281413#Comment_1281413

Thank you for your comments. Of course, I know that behind each volume of ICC there is a team of renowned scholars. I just looked at the Amazon version and for example, the volume of 1 Peter the Logos version is by Charles Bigg, and the Amazon version is by Horrel and Williams. That's why I was wondering if the Logos version is the most updated one, because the other one says it is dated March 2023. This is the Amazon version:

Whyndell Grizzard

Hello, good morning.
I would like some opinions on the ICC, why it should be purchased, what value it brings to the study of the Scriptures, and whether it contains useful and up-to-date information.

I looked up the resource on Amazon and I see that the authors are not always the same although Logos told me they are.

Thanks in advance!

If I had not bought mine in a bundle- I sell you mine cheap- I have found no use for it- there are much better, way better, more solid sets to be had.

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281519#Comment_1281519

Double post.

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281519#Comment_1281519

Thank you for your comments. Of course, I know that behind each volume of ICC there is a team of renowned scholars. I just looked at the Amazon version and for example, the volume of 1 Peter the Logos version is by Charles Bigg, and the Amazon version is by Horrel and Williams. That's why I was wondering if the Logos version is the most updated one, because the other one says it is dated March 2023. This is the Amazon version:

The volume in Logos by Charles Bigg (on 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude) was published in 1901; the one from Amazon is only on 1 Peter (Chps. 1 and 2) and was published in Apr 2023. I searched but could not find the Horrell et al volume in Logos. Looks like the set is being updated but not all updated volumes have made it into Logos yet?? For example, the NT set has two volumes on James, one from 1916 and the other from 2013; the cover design can probably clue you in on what is part of the original set and what may have been updated.

DAL

If you must have them, don’t pay regular price for them. Find them in a base package. The guy who bought his in a bundle cannot sell it to you cheap since it’s a part of a bundle. He needs to clarify “bundle.” If it was a bundle that included other resources then he would have to give up those. You can’t buy a bundle and then separate for individual sales.

DAL

John

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281520#Comment_1281520

... I have found no use for it- there are much better, way better, more solid sets to be had.

Just out of curiosity, which others would you recommend?

Christian Alexander

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281545#Comment_1281545

That is a good question John. The ICC as a series has had some issues due to its age.

Ted Weis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281694#Comment_1281694

If you look at this list, you can see which ICC works are high regarded and which ones are not.

https://www.bestcommentaries.com/topseries/

Mike Childs

The ICC can be of great value if you have some knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, for it deals extensively with the Biblical languages. Some knowledge of Greek and Hebrew languages is more important for the ICC than even for the New International Commentaries or the Word Biblical Commentaries.

Some of the newer volumes are just outstanding, such as Romans by Cranfield, the Pastoral Epistles by I. Howard Marshall, Matthew by Dale Allison and W. Davies, Isaiah volumes by John Goldingay, etc.

Is it worth it? Yes, if you can make use of Greek for New Testament study and Hebrew for Old Testament study.

I like that the newer volumes include some more evangelical scholars such as Howard Marshall. But many of the older volumes are classics for good reason.

The ICC is not for everyone, and it is not even for every pastor. But yes, if you can afford it, it is well worth it in my opinion.

I would first recommend the New International Commentaries, second, the Word Biblical Commentaries, then the ICC. Maybe it would be wise to first buy one of the outstanding volumes and decide if the ICC is for you.

Lew Worthington

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281782#Comment_1281782

I've been following this discussion with some interest, and no words at all until now. My interest stems from my love of these volumes dating back to my seminary days. Mike is right: You need to know the languages to get the most from them (which may contribute to why they don't fare well on bestcommentaries.com). I'm glad you put in a good word for them, Mike.

John

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1281782#Comment_1281782

The ICC can be of great value if you have some knowledge of Hebrew and Greek

Thanks for your comments. If you had to recommend the top 3 for beginning Greek students (meaning mostly in English), which would you choose?