What are your favorite one volume commentaries? When do you typically use them?
What are your favorite one volume commentaries?
The Africa Bible Commentary.
When do you typically use them?
When the writers are likely to be presenting scripture from the worldview of a different culture.
Believer's Bible Commentary. It provides a solid amount of verse-by-verse commentary in just one volume.
My MAIN use of it is on my mobile devices as it is one of the core resources I have downloaded to always have available.
My favorite one volume commentaries are actually study Bibles....MacArthur Study Bible, Zondervan NIV Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, and the Jeremiah Study Bible (sadly, not available in Logos). All four of these are more valuable than any single volume commentary I have found.
It's two volumes but the Bible Knowledge Commentary (OT and NT volumes) is an excellent basic commentary.
It is one volume (a single resource) for this purpose. It is excellent, and my go-to commentary. I consult other commentaries like EBC, NAC, TNTC/TOTC as needed.
NIB is considered one resource in Logos. I also like Africa Bible Commentary for the different insights it offers. BKC is another must have
👍😁👌
I've always like the New Bible Commentary. I have it in hardback and electronically. Very solid.
Duplicate.
NIB if you called it so would be the best one without doubt... but going with the spirit of the question... While there are numerous good one and two volume works. In my mind Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible is without compare. This volume constantly seems to offer great insight and for more verbose commentary than you normally get in a one volume. And several times I have found much great and more in-depth comments in this one volume work than a multivolume commentaries I have consulted. I will mention a second one as well, Fortress Commentary on the Bible (2 vols.) offers a less consistent quality work. It is a fine work but often it bites of chunks too large to cover in an adequate manner. That said it is very good in offering commentary on the ancient context the text, interpretive tradition, and contemporary discussion. This 3 fold approach offers an invaluable resource that I usually find most useful. These 2 works are both more in the critical method of study but both feel very reverent in their treatment of the text.
-dan
Let me give a second shoutout for the New Bible Commentary. This is a great resource for getting the big picture of how a verse fits into its larger context of a paragraph, chapter, section, etc. Its contributors are some of the biggest names in evangelical scholarship over the last 50 years (e.g., D. A. Carson, R. T. France, John Goldingay, Donald Guthrie, Derek Kidner, I. Howard Marshall, Doug Moo, Leon Morris, J. A. Motyer, Bruce Waltke, Gordon Wenham, etc.). It also has helpful articles on what the BIble is, interpreting the BIble, biblical history, poetry in the Bible, overview of the Pentateuch, Reading the Gospels, etc. I often go to this when studying a Bible verse. I highly recommend it.
What are your favorite one volume commentaries? The Africa Bible Commentary.
+1. This is my go-to one-volume commentary. The very fact that the ABC is from a different culture from my own means that it often draws out points and applications that I miss because I am a tighty-whitey middle-class westerner. :P.
NBC and KBC are good too.
I tend to use them as my first port of call when I need to find out something (non-technical) about a passage. Also when preparing studies, sermons, talks, etc. I tend to go to my one-volume commentary after having made my own notes on the passage. This helps to A. check that I've accurately recognized the thrust (main point) of the passage, B. that I understand the flow (the progression of the story, argument, etc.) of the passage, C. ensure that I'm thinking correctly about the ethics (application, implications, etc.) of the passage. I find it useful to do this before moving on to more technical/single volume commentaries and often find that one-volume commentaries are better for this.
I differentiate between study bibles and one-volume commentaries.
My main one-volume go-to's are: Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC) and the Moody Bible Commentary (MBC). I do like the Believer's Bible Commentary as well though I have it in print... I'd buy it in Logos but it never seems to go on sale... not sure why.
My main study bibles are: MacArthur Study Bible and ESV Study Bible (with a tie for third using the Faithlife Study Bible, NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, and Zondervan NIV Study Bible).
I will second Eerdmans and Moody’s Bible Commentary. I can’t believe I forgot to include them! 👍😁👌
DAL
Brevity is the soul of wit.
NIB - is it this one? https://www.logos.com/product/5409/new-international-bible-commentary
If I were only allowed one 'single volume' commentary and no other commentaries at all, I'd choose the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It is longer and therefore offers more than some of the others mentioned here.
I no longer do.
I find them useful for identifying in advance of a small group Bible Study what issues might come up. They tend to comment upon what a "new" Bible reader will find puzzling.
DAL was making a joke as the 12 volume set of New Interpreter’s Bible downloads into Logos as One resource. But Zonervan‘s NIBC is a most wonderful resource. As are most all the ones that have been mentioned here in my mind.
No that one, this one: https://www.logos.com/product/8803/new-interpreters-bible
NIB has a one volume commentary and also a Study Bible, but, unfortunately, they’re not available in Logos. “A” company has them.
New Bible Commentary
IVP Bible Background Commentary - Technically two but I look at it as single volume in these sort of questions.
Bible Knowledge Commentary
Eerdmanns Commentary of the Bible
ESV & Zondervan Study Bibles are also useful in some situation.
For a single volume Devotional Commentary Wiersbe’s With the Word is short but insightful.
I use custom grouping of commentaries in Desktop PG so I prioritise these first so they come up first when I run PG on mobile app on phone when I’m looking for a short study of key points in a passage. Also useful to look at when preparing for a group bible study.
Although focused on one particular angle, I'd say that the only one-volume commentary I have use for is the Commentary on the Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament.
I know that newbies would like to be able to have one volume they can turn to on a regular basis, but one better learn early that excessive dependence on one commentary will make one vulnerable to its interpretive and theological biases. And of course, the ground covered is limited. One would hope that a newbie would want to outgrow such a resource quickly although I realise many never do.
New Bible Commentary IVP Bible Background Commentary - Technically two but I look at it as single volume in these sort of questions. Bible Knowledge Commentary Eerdmanns Commentary of the Bible ESV & Zondervan Study Bibles are also useful in some situation. For a single volume Devotional Commentary Wiersbe’s With the Word is short but insightful. I use custom grouping of commentaries in Desktop PG so I prioritise these first so they come up first when I run PG on mobile app on phone when I’m looking for a short study of key points in a passage. Also useful to look at when preparing for a group bible study.
This made me think of another one... Wiersbe's Outlines. There are two resources (one for OT and one for NT) but super helpful and function very well as a quick commentary w/ application
Though not a newbie I would consider myself informed. I use several one-volume and (some two-volume) commentaries to inform myself of the general issues with the text then I review some of my more technical and exegetical commentaries to glean more technical insights of the text. I do this after spending extensive time in devotional and prayerful contemplation of the text.
E.g. I was in Ac3.1-26. I consulted in order BKC, IVP Bible Background Commentary, MBC, Eerdmans Commentary, NBC, Fortress Commentary, ABC, NAC, Tyndale, NICOT/NT, and SIL. Based on the recommendation found in this thread I may add Believer's to my library.
Though not a newbie I would consider myself informed.
I did not mean this pejoratively and apologise if it came across as such. I am not discounting any use of one volume commentaries. MJ has also pointed to one way such volumes can be useful. Nevertheless, I think the point I made could be useful to others who read this thread and may read in recommendations a vote of confidence for over-reliance on one, typically limited in depth by space constraints, volume. Interesting that the OP asked not just about one, but which ones are good and for what use.
I recognise that newbies may find more extensive commentary overwhelming and may need to feed on milk for a while before getting meat.
My main one-volume go-to's are: Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC) and the Moody Bible Commentary (MBC).
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I like the notes from the NET Bible as a "Study Bible" resource.
My current favorite is the Oxford, which I was lucky enough to pick up on disk on close out about a decade ago. I have also used the NBC, The Bible Guide, and for their specialized perspectives, the Jewish Study Bible, and the Women's Bible Commentary.
As for when I use them? General ones I use when I am curious about really basic information about a passage. At best, it gives me some basic information about how to shape questions to ask when studying the text...
I use the old Matthew Poole commentary for my regular Bible reading when I have questions about a difficult text. It’s phenomenal! I don’t think I’d be exaggerating if I said that I find answers to the questions I’m looking up about 9 out of 10 times! Better than anything else out there in my mind!
Thank you, Liam,
I have this in my library and was unaware of its excellence! Thanks so very much for pointing it out.
I agree with these this 1 volume commentary, and find it extremely helpful in Bible Study groups (when using a tablet and the logos app), also the Believer's Bible Commentary, which I've given to new believers who ask about using a Commentary. Simple and to the point, and then using other more intense commentaries for questions that were raised in the group, which would be too difficult to go to for an hour and 1/2 study.
The Logos or Faithlife apps for the tablet have grown more useful from when they first began, very useful indeed, thanks Faith life!
I use the old Matthew Poole commentary for my regular Bible reading when I have questions about a difficult text. It’s phenomenal! I don’t think I’d be exaggerating if I said that I find answers to the questions I’m looking up about 9 out of 10 times! Better than anything else out there in my mind! Thank you, Liam, I have this in my library and was unaware of its excellence! Thanks so very much for pointing it out.
Hope you find it helpful Beloved!
Thank you everyone for contributing to this thread. I have received some very helpful suggestions. I think other people have benefited from your suggestions as well. Some I already have in my library and a few to add to my shopping list.
I like to start with, With the Word Bible Commentary, then the Summarized Bible for the New Testament and the Summarized Bible for the Old Testament for a quick, comprehensive overview, at the beginning of a Bible study. If anyone knows of other good, brief, comprehensive overviews, please let me know.
After a comprehensive overview, I move on to the New Bible Commentary, the Bible Knowledge Commentary, the Believer's Bible Commentary, the Moody Bible Commentary, and The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Abridged, to get a thorough grip.
If I need detailed, in depth comments, I may consult Lenski (bought the hardcover edition in Bible College) for the New Testament, or buy an individual volume of the Word Biblical Commentary. Keil and Delitzsch are also pretty detailed (but dated) for the Old Testament, and you can get it for free on many Bible programs.
Most of these commentaries are affordable ($50-ish or less).
I use custom grouping of commentaries in Desktop PG so I prioritise these first
How do you do all that?
This thread made me wonder: how many 1 Volume Commentaries do I own. I bought quite a lot of Packages through the years, but I never took note of the individual commentaries that could be considered 1 or 2 volume commentaries. Is there an easy way (rule set) that will show only the 1 or 2 volume commentaries in my library?I currently use this ruletype:bible-commentary ANDNOT series:* AND (((subject:"Bible—Commentaries" ANDNOT subject:"Bible—Commentaries—Collected works") OR (subject:”Bible. O.T.--Commentaries” AND subject:”Bible. .N.T.--Commentaries”) OR subject:"bible handbooks" OR subject:"bible introductions") OR mytag:commentary-one-volume) ANDNOT title:volumesBut I am not sure if it shows ALL possible one or two volume commentaries in my library
Y’all realize this is a 2018 thread, right? 😂 time sure flies!
I currently use this rule
It is overly complex as type:bible-commentary AND subject:"Bible—Commentaries" will get one-volume commentaries. If you do have many exceptions (the ANDNOT's) then tag the relevant ones with mytag:commentary-one-volume.
(subject:”Bible. O.T.--Commentaries” AND subject:”Bible.N.T.--Commentaries”) may get a couple of commentaries, but not two-volume ones!
(subject:”Bible. O.T.--Commentaries” OR subject:”Bible.N.T.--Commentaries”) is closer, but you cannot "pair" OT and NT volumes without tagging them e.g. mytag:commentary-two-volume. And it is conceivable that some may not be split as OT + NT volumes.
I currently use this ruletype:bible-commentary ANDNOT series:* AND (((subject:"Bible—Commentaries" ANDNOT subject:"Bible—Commentaries—Collected works") OR (subject:”Bible. O.T.--Commentaries” AND subject:”Bible. .N.T.--Commentaries”) OR subject:"bible handbooks" OR subject:"bible introductions") OR mytag:commentary-one-volume) ANDNOT title:volumesBut I am not sure if it shows ALL possible one or two volume commentaries in my library
Further to my comments above:
subject:"bible handbooks" OR subject:"bible introductions" is usually associated with subject:"Bible—Commentaries" (when they are type:commentary), and therefore unnecessary.
ANDNOT title:volumes omits at least two one-volume commentaries! This is not needed.
ANDNOT series:* has little value e.g. what if Faithlife added a series name to a one-volume commentary?
So, I would simplify your rule to:
type:bible-commentary AND ((subject:"Bible—Commentaries" ANDNOT subject:"Bible—Commentaries—Collected works") OR mytag:commentary-one-volume OR mytag:commentary-two-volume)
If you feel that one-volume commentaries have been omitted, then use your commentary-one-volume tag e.g. The Companion Bible. The two-volume tag comes from my previous comment.
I currently use this ruletype:bible-commentary ANDNOT series:* AND (((subject:"Bible—Commentaries" ANDNOT subject:"Bible—Commentaries—Collected works") OR (subject:”Bible. O.T.--Commentaries” AND subject:”Bible. .N.T.--Commentaries”) OR subject:"bible handbooks" OR subject:"bible introductions") OR mytag:commentary-one-volume) ANDNOT title:volumesBut I am not sure if it shows ALL possible one or two volume commentaries in my library Further to my comments above: subject:"bible handbooks" OR subject:"bible introductions" is usually associated with subject:"Bible—Commentaries" (when they are type:commentary), and therefore unnecessary. ANDNOT title:volumes omits at least two one-volume commentaries! This is not needed. ANDNOT series:* has little value e.g. what if Faithlife added a series name to a one-volume commentary? So, I would simplify your rule to: type:bible-commentary AND ((subject:"Bible—Commentaries" ANDNOT subject:"Bible—Commentaries—Collected works") OR mytag:commentary-one-volume OR mytag:commentary-two-volume) If you feel that one-volume commentaries have been omitted, then use your commentary-one-volume tag e.g. The Companion Bible. The two-volume tag comes from my previous comment.
And that is why resurrecting an old thread is sometimes worth it [:P]Thank you very much
Can someone explain this to me?
I just added the NIB One Volume Commentary to my one volume commentary collection; except I had to add it to my Accordance Bible Software, since Logos doesn't sell it.
I also have their New Interpreter's Study Bible which I bought a while ago. They seem to be different resources but from the same NIB family. The one volume commentary is not an abridged version of the 12 volume set (1 volume in Logos and elsewhere). And the notes from the study Bible are different too.
Nice addition to my studies!
Ps. The links I provided are for the print editions which contain sample pages, in case some of you might want to check them out.
I use custom grouping of commentaries in Desktop PG so I prioritise these first Can someone explain this to me?
It relates to running Passage Guide (PG) on mobile devices. Create a collection (presumably 1 volume commentaries) and use that in the Commentaries section of PG. If you prioritize them, they will be listed in the order that you want for both desktop and mobile PG.
What search criteria should I use to locate all of my one volume commentaries?
Filtering your Library by type:"Bible commentary" and then sorting by Series and expanding "--" will give you a list that includes all of them, but it may also include some commentaries that aren't in a series but are only on part of the Bible. However, it will filter out most of the ones in a series, and you'll probably easily be able to handle the rest.
Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible
I like it because it includes the Apocrypha. I also use the NRSV because it has the Apocrypha, so no matter what I'm studying I can also get to the Apocrypha in my bible and commentary without opening an additional resource. It even includes 1 Enoch. Even though I don't view the Apocrypha or Enoch as canonical, I use them for background and word studies in the New Testament.
Also, the commentary seems rather moderate, not too conservative or fundamentalist, not too liberal.
