Prioritized commentary sets and hidden treasures

How have you prioritized the commentaries in your library?

I have a lot of commentaries in my library, and I have some series that I use to go to. That is often the 5-10 top series that I own. But I have a lot of commentary sets that I don't know very well. I have very seldom time (read:never) to confer all the commentaries for a specific passage. I may have treasures in my library that I never use...

It could be useful to see other people's prioritization lists. Especially those of you that have many commentaries. Just to get an idea of how useful the different series are for you.

Or maybe someone wants to draw attention to a commentary set that is not among the most recommended sets.

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Comments

Erwin Stull, Sr.

Here is my current list. [:)]

Graham Criddle

Mine is below - and I am aware I haven't looked at this for some time and really ought to update it!

GregW

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660173#Comment_660173

I tend to think in terms of individual commentaries, rather than series. Each series has some great ones and some duds, so I tend to use the bestcommentaries.com website. I then tag the first five commentaries (where I have them) for each book of the Bible and have a "bestcommentaries" collection. I then have a section in my Passage Guide for commentaries from this collection, so that I've always got some of the best commentaries available to me. This does of course depend on your theological views tying in with those of the people who evaluate them on the website (mine do).

As far as prioritising is concerned, I tend to prioritise commentaries like the IVP Background commentaries, and the Carson/Beale commentary on the NT use of the OT, which means they tend to show up high on the commentary listing, as background and OT allusions/references/quotes form part of my exegetical workflow.

If you do want to prioritise series, there is an advanced prioritisation feature which allows you to limit it to certain books of the Bible. So, for example, one volume of Expositor's Bible Commentary will cover several books of the Bible, but might be very good on one book (Matthew, for example) and not so good on one of the other Gospels. Using Advanced Prioritisation (I'm English, and cannot bring myself to spell it with a 'z') you can limit the effect to just cover Matthew's Gospel.

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660191#Comment_660191

I tend to think in terms of individual commentaries, rather than series. Each series has some great ones and some duds, so I tend to use the bestcommentaries.com website. I then tag the first five commentaries (where I have them) for each book of the Bible and have a "bestcommentaries" collection. I then have a section in my Passage Guide for commentaries from this collection, so that I've always got some of the best commentaries available to me. This does of course depend on your theological views tying in with those of the people who evaluate them on the website (mine do).

As far as prioritising is concerned, I tend to prioritise commentaries like the IVP Background commentaries, and the Carson/Beale commentary on the NT use of the OT, which means they tend to show up high on the commentary listing, as background and OT allusions/references/quotes form part of my exegetical workflow.

If you do want to prioritise series, there is an advanced prioritisation feature which allows you to limit it to certain books of the Bible. So, for example, one volume of Expositor's Bible Commentary will cover several books of the Bible, but might be very good on one book (Matthew, for example) and not so good on one of the other Gospels. Using Advanced Prioritisation (I'm English, and cannot bring myself to spell it with a 'z') you can limit the effect to just cover Matthew's Gospel.

[Y] I'm very similar. My prioritization list is dozens of "pages" long because I prioritize individual volumes instead of entire series (for the most part). The one place where I differ is that I further sub-divide my "best commentaries" collection. I have collections for "Best Exegetical", "Best Expositional", "Best Devotional", and "Best Specialty". The collections are created with tags, then the prioritization list determines the order they show up in within the collection. Works very well for me.

John Fidel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660191#Comment_660191

I tagged individual commentaries as "best" and then created a collection using Mytag:best. I then put that collection on the passage guide. For a starting point I used www.bestcommentaries.com. Just a thought. No prioritization really needed.

Raymond Urne

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660191#Comment_660191

I tend to think in terms of individual commentaries, rather than series. Each series has some great ones and some duds, so I tend to use the bestcommentaries.com website. I then tag the first five commentaries (where I have them) for each book of the Bible and have a "bestcommentaries" collection. I then have a section in my Passage Guide for commentaries from this collection, so that I've always got some of the best commentaries available to me.

Great idea!

If you do want to prioritise series, there is an advanced prioritisation feature which allows you to limit it to certain books of the Bible. So, for example, one volume of Expositor's Bible Commentary will cover several books of the Bible, but might be very good on one book (Matthew, for example) and not so good on one of the other Gospels. Using Advanced Prioritisation (I'm English, and cannot bring myself to spell it with a 'z') you can limit the effect to just cover Matthew's Gospel.

Thanks for sharing! That will be useful. Especially in the example you mention. And I guess it will be useful in other cases also, now that I am aware of this function.

I am still interested in your prioritizing lists. Or in suggestions for hidden treasures:)

Unix

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660235#Comment_660235

Does anyone of You prioritize any individual Anchor Yale Bible Commentary Old Testament -volumes? Which ones?

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660242#Comment_660242

Does anyone of You prioritize any individual Anchor Yale Bible Commentar

I don't have any Anchor Yale resources so can't help on this

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660235#Comment_660235

I am still interested in your prioritizing lists. Or in suggestions for hidden treasures:)

My commentary section looks like this (series only, I've not included individual volumes). There are a few custom series in there, I think:

Pillar New Testament Commentary
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament
New International Greek Testament Commentary
Preaching the Word
Focus on the Bible Commentary [Joshua-2 Kings only]
Calvin’s Commentaries
Tyndale Commentaries
Reformed Expository Commentary
The Bible Speaks Today
Exegetical Summaries
Teach the Text Commentary Series
Wiersbe’s “Be” Series
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary
For Everyone Bible Study Guides
NIV Application Commentary
Welwyn Commentary Series
Concordia Commentary
Evangelical Exegetical Commentary
Black’s New Testament Commentary
New American Commentary
Baker Commentary on the Old Testament
Encountering Biblical Studies
A Commentary on the Book of Genesis
Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Series
Letters and Homilies
Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
Teach the Bible
Reformation Commentary on Scripture
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament
Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible
Focus on the Bible Commentary
Lexham Bible Guide
Swindoll’s New Testament Insights
Boice’s Expositional Commentary
Mentor Commentaries
Studies in the Book of Acts
Expositor’s Bible Commentary
Life Application Bible Commentary
Minor Prophets Exegetical Commentary
International Critical Commentary (new)
IVP New Testament Commentary
Word Biblical Commentary
United Bible Societies’ Handbooks
New Covenant Commentary Series
Biblical Theology of the New Testament
Baker New Testament Commentary
EP Study Commentary
MacArthur New Testament Commentary
An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible
R. C. Sproul Exposition Collection
Gleanings (AW Pink)
J. C. Ryle Collection
Charles Hodge Commentary
IVP Bible Background Commentary
Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
Exploring the Bible Commentary
Treasury of David
Clear Study Series
Anchor Yale Bible
Hermeneia
An Exegetical Commentary: Revelation by Robert L. Thomas
College Press NIV Commentary
An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Owen)
The Book of Isaiah (Young)
New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (old)
Sacra Pagina Series
The Two Horizons Commentary Series
Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible
Reading the New Testament
Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament
Forms of the Old Testament Literature
Berit Olam Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry
Luther’s Works
Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture
Daily Study Bible Series
Everyman’s Bible Commentary
Exploring the Old and New Testament Collection
Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
Eerdmans Critical Commentary
Continental Commentary
Interpretation Commentary
Romans: Donald Grey Barnhouse
High Definition Commentary Series
Holman New Testament Commentary
Barnes’ Notes on the Old and New Testaments
Lange’s Commentary
International Critical Commentary (original)
Expositions of Holy Scripture (MacLaren)
Horae Homileticae
Lenski’s Commentary on the New Testament
H. C. Leupold Commentary Collection
Preacher’s Commentary
The Lectionary Commentary
Pulpit Commentary
The Preacher’s Complete Homiletic Commentary
Cornerstone Biblical Commentary
Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary
Poor Man’s New Testament Commentary
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Classic Commentaries on the Greek New Testament
Works of H.A. Ironside
Believers Church Bible Commentary
Bible Lessons International
International Theological Commentary

In terms of hidden treasures, I've been really impressed with the Teach the Text Commentary Series, and the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary as offering something different from other sets.

Unix

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660248#Comment_660248

I would prioritise those top ones much lower (except I have on Pillar volume in Accordance that I really like: on Jude), and I have one Focus on the Bible in print (can't remember which book though but I have it here, it might have been on of the Catholic Epistles) and a one Exegetical Summaries (also on Jude) which are OK.
I would prioritise Eerdmans Critical Commentary high. And one of the International Critical Commentary (original) -volumes, the one on Jn may be good - I'm just trying to buy it today or Tuesday (I found out that it has the best translation of one verse: Jn 1:18, source: There are two approaches to...):My commentary section looks like this (series only, I've not included individual volumes). There are a few custom series in there, I think:

Pillar New Testament Commentary
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament
New International Greek Testament Commentary
Preaching the Word
Focus on the Bible Commentary [Joshua-2 Kings only]
Calvin’s Commentaries
Tyndale Commentaries
Reformed Expository Commentary
The Bible Speaks Today
Exegetical Summaries
Teach the Text Commentary Series
Wiersbe’s “Be” Series

16. NIV Application Commentary
...
81. Eerdmans Critical Commentary

89. International Critical Commentary (original)

Raymond Urne

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660248#Comment_660248

My commentary section looks like this (series only, I've not included individual volumes).

Thank you very much, Mark. This list was very helpful! I am checking out the series on the list right now:)

Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660242#Comment_660242

Does anyone of You prioritize any individual Anchor Yale Bible Commentary Old Testament -volumes? Which ones?

This is a very uneven series and I don't know all the volumes in it. I can definitely recommend:

Milgrom on Leviticus.
Fox on Proverbs
Levine on Numbers

Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660248#Comment_660248

My commentary section

I was actually wondering a few days ago what is the best way to organize prioritization. In the past, I grouped similar works together to prioritize them one in relation to the others, but the more I had, the more it looks a bit like a mess. I am doing it from the right pane in the library window. Is there a different or better way to do this (that is, to organize prioritization of an ever growing number of resources)?

Unix

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660290#Comment_660290

Thanks, Francis! I bought Prv chapters 1-9 late this Summer, and I've seen others recommend Milgrom on Lv as well!:

This is a very uneven series and I don't know all the volumes in it. I can definitely recommend:
Milgrom on Leviticus.

Fox on Proverbs

Levine on Numbers:
Does anyone of You prioritize any individual Anchor Yale Bible Commentary Old Testament -volumes? Which ones?

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660292#Comment_660292

I was actually wondering a few days ago what is the best way to organize prioritization. In the past, I grouped similar works together to prioritize them one in relation to the others, but the more I had, the more it looks a bit like a mess. I am doing it from the right pane in the library window. Is there a different or better way to do this (that is, to organize prioritization of an ever growing number of resources)?

The prioritisation tool is far too small for mass-prioritisation, but there's no way around it.

So far as grouping goes, for your own sanity you'll want to group resources/series of the same datatype (so all your Bibles together, all your lexicons together, all your devotionals together, etc.). I don't do any grouping beyond that, and I think it's better not to (because Logos you won't always show your your resources in those groups, and you wouldn't [for example] want all your technical commentaries prioritised below all your devotional commentaries just because it was easier to group them together).

Raymond Urne

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660297#Comment_660297

So far as grouping goes, for your own sanity you'll want to group resources/series of the same datatype (so all your Bibles together, all your lexicons together, all your devotionals together, etc.). I don't do any grouping beyond that, and I think it's better not to (because Logos you won't always show your your resources in those groups, and you wouldn't [for example] want all your technical commentaries prioritised below all your devotional commentaries just because it was easier to group them together).

Good advice. Thanks!

Raymond Urne

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660248#Comment_660248

In terms of hidden treasures, I've been really impressed with the Teach the Text Commentary Series, and the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary as offering something different from other sets.

Thanks, Mark! I don't have these resources in my library. I have Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary on my wishlist, and Teach the Text Commentary Series is added now. I didn't know about this set.

Someone else that want to recommend commentaries or commentary sets that don't get the attention they deserve?

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660572#Comment_660572

Someone else that want to recommend commentaries or commentary sets that don't get the attention they deserve?

While the set is far from complete I found the volume on the Sermon on the Mount from the "Story of God" commentary series (https://www.logos.com/product/34028/the-story-of-god-bible-commentary-series) very helpful as I was preparing for a sermon series on those chapters in Matthew

It provided some challenging and helpful insights which I didn't find elsewhere

Whyndell Grizzard

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660248#Comment_660248

I am still interested in your prioritizing lists. Or in suggestions for hidden treasures:)

My commentary section looks like this (series only, I've not included individual volumes). There are a few custom series in there, I think:

Pillar New Testament Commentary

Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament

New International Greek Testament Commentary

Preaching the Word

Focus on the Bible Commentary [Joshua-2 Kings only]

Calvin’s Commentaries

Tyndale Commentaries

Reformed Expository Commentary

The Bible Speaks Today

Exegetical Summaries

Teach the Text Commentary Series

Wiersbe’s “Be” Series

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary

For Everyone Bible Study Guides

NIV Application Commentary

Welwyn Commentary Series

Concordia Commentary

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary

Black’s New Testament Commentary

New American Commentary

Baker Commentary on the Old Testament

Encountering Biblical Studies

A Commentary on the Book of Genesis

Socio-Rhetorical Commentary Series

Letters and Homilies

Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

Teach the Bible

Reformation Commentary on Scripture

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture

Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament

Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible

Focus on the Bible Commentary

Lexham Bible Guide

Swindoll’s New Testament Insights

Boice’s Expositional Commentary

Mentor Commentaries

Studies in the Book of Acts

Expositor’s Bible Commentary

Life Application Bible Commentary

Minor Prophets Exegetical Commentary

International Critical Commentary (new)

IVP New Testament Commentary

Word Biblical Commentary

United Bible Societies’ Handbooks

New Covenant Commentary Series

Biblical Theology of the New Testament

Baker New Testament Commentary

EP Study Commentary

MacArthur New Testament Commentary

An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible

R. C. Sproul Exposition Collection

Gleanings (AW Pink)

J. C. Ryle Collection

Charles Hodge Commentary

IVP Bible Background Commentary

Understanding the Bible Commentary Series

Exploring the Bible Commentary

Treasury of David

Clear Study Series

Anchor Yale Bible

Hermeneia

An Exegetical Commentary: Revelation by Robert L. Thomas

College Press NIV Commentary

An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Owen)

The Book of Isaiah (Young)

New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (old)

Sacra Pagina Series

The Two Horizons Commentary Series

Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible

Reading the New Testament

Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament

Forms of the Old Testament Literature

Berit Olam Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry

Luther’s Works

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture

Daily Study Bible Series

Everyman’s Bible Commentary

Exploring the Old and New Testament Collection

Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

Eerdmans Critical Commentary

Continental Commentary

Interpretation Commentary

Romans: Donald Grey Barnhouse

High Definition Commentary Series

Holman New Testament Commentary

Barnes’ Notes on the Old and New Testaments

Lange’s Commentary

International Critical Commentary (original)

Expositions of Holy Scripture (MacLaren)

Horae Homileticae

Lenski’s Commentary on the New Testament

H. C. Leupold Commentary Collection

Preacher’s Commentary

The Lectionary Commentary

Pulpit Commentary

The Preacher’s Complete Homiletic Commentary

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary

Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary

Poor Man’s New Testament Commentary

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Classic Commentaries on the Greek New Testament

Works of H.A. Ironside

Believers Church Bible Commentary

Bible Lessons International

International Theological Commentary

In terms of hidden treasures, I've been really impressed with the Teach the Text Commentary Series, and the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary as offering something different from other sets.

.

I'm puzzled I was under the impression that "prioritizing" only allowed 5 items in each category- Have I missed something.

That's a good list- though I may change the order a little

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660582#Comment_660582

Many features only look at the top five but other features such as the ordering of the resources in the Commentaries section of a Passage Guide will use as long a list as you provide.

Whyndell Grizzard

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660584#Comment_660584

So I could list all the commentaries I use all the time this way and not have to look for them in PG- they would all be first? If it does work that way it will save me a lot of hassle.

Thanks [:D]

Raymond Urne

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660576#Comment_660576

While the set is far from complete I found the volume on the Sermon on the Mount from the "Story of God" commentary series (https://www.logos.com/product/34028/the-story-of-god-bible-commentary-series) very helpful as I was preparing for a sermon series on those chapters in Matthew

It provided some challenging and helpful insights which I didn't find elsewhere

Thanks, Graham! This is also a set that I don't own. And I thought I had most of the commentaries:) Added to my wishlist.

Someone else that want to recommend commentaries or commentary sets that don't get the attention they deserve?

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660586#Comment_660586

So I could list all the commentaries I use all the time this way and not have to look for them in PG- they would all be first? If it does work that way it will save me a lot of hassle.

Thanks

Not first - but you will control the order and can find them more easily. [:)]

Liam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/660173#Comment_660173

Here is my current list.

Erwin, I notice that you are able to organize your commentaries into sub sections. How did you do this?

Erwin Stull, Sr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/661207#Comment_661207

Here is my current list.

Erwin, I notice that you are able to organize your commentaries into sub sections. How did you do this?

I could write up the procedure, however, it is much better to point you to a source of the procedure. [:)]

https://wiki.logos.com/Prioritizing

Look for this section

Notice the Headings for each category in the above lists.

under the "Example of full Prioritized list"

Better yet, here is the post referred to. http://community.logos.com/forums/p/54082/393850.aspx#393850

Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/661214#Comment_661214

Using PBBs is very creative indeed however, has the suggestion already been made to Logos to simply add this functionality?

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/661549#Comment_661549

Using PBBs is very creative indeed however, has the suggestion already been made to Logos to simply add this functionality?

Yup. Along with several other suggestions about how this can be improved for power users. There's been no improvement since the launch of L4, though.

Josh

Or maybe someone wants to draw attention to a commentary set that is not among the most recommended sets.

United Bible Societies’ Handbooks NT and OT

A Textual Commentaryon the Greek NT

and

the NET textual footnotes

Liam

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/661214#Comment_661214

Thanks Erwin! I ended up creating a custom passage guide and dividing my commentaries into collections of Technical, Intermediate, Exegetical, Background, and Expository. This way I can view them in that order.

Erwin Stull, Sr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/667544#Comment_667544

Thanks Erwin! I ended up creating a custom passage guide and dividing my commentaries into collections of Technical, Intermediate, Exegetical, Background, and Expository. This way I can view them in that order.

Glad to be of assistance, Liam. And happy that you found a solution that works for you. [:)]

James Hiddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/661561#Comment_661561

Or maybe someone wants to draw attention to a commentary set that is not among the most recommended sets.

United Bible Societies’ Handbooks NT and OT

A Textual Commentaryon the Greek NT

and

the NET textual footnotes

Thanks for the links Josh. God Bless you always!

JohnB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/667544#Comment_667544

Thanks Erwin! I ended up creating a custom passage guide and dividing my commentaries into collections of Technical, Intermediate, Exegetical, Background, and Expository. This way I can view them in that order.

Yep have just done that myself - seems to suit my method of work.

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/667544#Comment_667544

Thanks Erwin! I ended up creating a custom passage guide and dividing my commentaries into collections of Technical, Intermediate, Exegetical, Background, and Expository. This way I can view them in that order.

Okay, ignorant question alert here...

I know how to make a custom passage guide (I think [:)] ) but how do you KNOW which commentaries are technical, intermediate, etc...?

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/669322#Comment_669322

I know how to make a custom passage guide (I think ) but how do you KNOW which commentaries are technical, intermediate, etc...?

This is where you finally discover the power of Faithlife [:)].

See https://community.logos.com/forums/t/88829.aspx for instructions of how to use Faithlife to automatically create collections of these types of commentaries.