NIVAC or WBC

I know I keep getting advice on commentary sets, but I want to make the most out of my investment.

I have some good commentaries in my library (Pillar, TOTC/TNTC, UBS, NIGTC, NAC). I also have 15 of the NIVAC and I have found them useful in sermon preparation.

With the current sale I am considering purchasing several of the WBC, but I wonder if I would be better off purchasing more of the NIVAC because I really like the application side of it and not overly interested in the technical. When I bought the NIVAC they were 7.99 each and wish I would have bought more; I don't want to regret but purchasing more WBC at the current price.

Any suggestions?

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Comments

James Milne Smith

For teaching small groups, and for my own (and my wife's) personal devotions, NIVAC wins hands down every time (imho). I seldom use WBC, other than occasionally when I am doing a search. But as always it's horses for courses.

BriM

Most of your commentaries are technical and WBC would be more of the same, only more so. I tend to use it as an "if all else fails" option - I prefer (very much) NIC, then Pillar and Baker, NIGTC, Tyndale, etc.

But NIVAC is totally different. I love it also, as much as NIC, Pillar and Baker, but for different reasons and different purposes. When making some Bible study notes for a group a few years ago, I did it totally from one of the NIVAC volumes as they gear towards application without too much technicality. For my academic studies and more serious sermon preparation, I'd use the more technical works but probably also look at NIVAC if I have time.

I'd suggest also consider your long term goals and the financial deals currently being offered. If you eventually want to have both, it looks like the current WBC offer is unbeatable, if only because of the pre-anouncement of the price hike after the sale. Personally, I think its a good price in the sale (I know it has been cheaper historically though) but I don't think I would find it good value at the nearly double price it's going to be - I just don't get enough value from it. You have to weigh that against the different function (which sounds more like your preference and need) that NIVAC has. I don't know whether the current price of NIVAC is good as I didn't look at that.

John Fidel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/760264#Comment_760264

Kason,

They are very different commentaries. WBC is more technical, will use original language and will not provide much application. However, they are very helpful in what they do provide. You may want to spend 9.99 and purchase one of the commentaries on a book not covered by NIVAC. Some of the OT volumes are really good. Check www.bestcommentaries.com and find one to sample. You will have to get used to the way they are designed and how they interact with Logos. Some like it, some don't, but once you understand the organization you will be able to glean some really good information from them.

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/760264#Comment_760264

I bought NIVAC when it was dirt cheap - my advice, if finances allow, complete NIVAC and also get WBC because the price will double once September is gone and you might never get it this cheap again. I love both because they serve two different purposes, though I must say the "Explanation" part of the WBC can serve as a devotional/application source. Plus you get the technical treatment which is great to have.

DAL

Kason

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/760273#Comment_760273

Thanks for your input guys!

Wild Eagle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761851#Comment_761851

i use them both but for different purposes. NIVAC as you know is very useful for preperation to small group, but sometimes you may need to deal with the text especially where you see some passages traslated differently. For this purpose, WBC is my number 1 choice.

mike

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761860#Comment_761860

Seminaries in East & Southeast Asia consider WBC the #1 commentary series.

Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/761887#Comment_761887

Beyond the general characteristics of the series (I agree largely with the comments on this above), there is the further consideration of availing oneself to the work of specific authors. For instance, the late Gerald Wilson was a top-notch scholar in Psalms. You will not find him in WBC but he authored the NIVAC volume (BTW, WBC is quite disappointing on Psalms). Some important authors have only written commentaries in one series.

Bryce Hufford

From a layperson's perspective, if I had to choose between the WBC and NIVAC (I have both), I would choose the NIVAC. The strengths of the NIVAC are that it is easier to read and digest, and as the name implies, it helps bring out applications from the text. As someone that doesn't have any original language training, the WBC can bog me down at times. I am also not crazy about the format of the WBC. The thing I really do like about the WBC is that it is very good at taking a text and articulating the various positions different scholars have on the text and why the author supports the view he does. This approach lets you see the various view points and then references you to very extensive bibliographies if you want to study further.