EBC good first "premium" commentary?

"Premium" in the sense of being the first one I am purchasing outside of what came with my base package (Bible Study base.) I'm looking for a conservative, evangelical commentary and the praise for EBC seems pretty universal based on the reviews I've read in various places. A couple other sets I have on my "wishlist" are New American Commentary and Word Biblical Commentary among others, but those are out of my current price range...at least at the moment (tax time, yuck :-p ) In my base package, I really enjoy the Bible Knowledge Commentary, the Opening Up series, the "Be" series, and the Old Testament Survey Series if that helps. I'm looking at a "premium" set for something a little more in-depth. So do you think EBC would be a good first purchase?

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Comments

Mark Barnes

EBC stands for Expositors' Bible Commentary? If so, it's varied - and more varied than most sets. Carson on Matthew is absolutely first class. Some of the other commentaries are disappointing to say the least.

IMO, the best commentary sets available at that level and price range are Bible Speaks Today (NT) and Tyndale (OT and NT). Tyndale is the deeper of the two, but both are excellent, and (I would suggest) some of the very best conservative, evangelical commentaries in the 150-300 page range.

These are Don Carson's thoughts on EBC, for what it's worth:

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (/Zondervan) is a twelve-volume work of large pages and small print designed to offer exegetical and expository comment on the entire Bible, using the NIV text as the basis. The NT portion embraces vols. 8–12. The series is committed to evangelicalism but suffers serious unevenness—a flaw made worse by the fact that more than one NT book commentary is bound in each volume (e.g., the synoptics in vol. 8, John and Acts in vol. 9, etc.). It is usually more technical than the old EB (1887–96). In recent printings, individual commentaries have appeared in paperback or bound with others in paperback. The publisher is committed to bringing out a substantially revised edition of the series, and the first of the revised volumes, vol. 13 covering Hebrews–Revelation, has just appeared (so the series will become a thirteen-volume set instead of a twelve-volume set). All the contributors are new, and the typeface is much more pleasing.

Frank Fenby

Since you like BKC you will probably like EBC.

Paul Golder

I would have to concur with Mark. While a very good reference, it does quite suffer from unevenness / variedness .

Todd Phillips

I like to recommend the Tyndale set as a good first purchase beyond the base packages.

Alain Maashe

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98773#Comment_98773

As Mark stated the Tyndale OT and NT set is a better option for the price range, this on top of the fact that the EBC is being revised and the revision is 80% completed and worth the purchase whenever the entire set comes out in Logos format. Many of the weaker volumes for the current set have been extensively revised or reassigned.

Fred Greco

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98795#Comment_98795

For what it is worth, as a minister who has a good working knowledge of the languages, I find both the Bible Speaks Today and the Tyndale series to be better than even more technical series like WBC.

Either of those (BST or Tyndale) would be a good choice.

Bohuslav Wojnar

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98799#Comment_98799

Somehow I have never noticed BST is available in Logos. I am happy to find out. Thank you guys for that information.

Aaron Baldridge

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98814#Comment_98814

I concur that the Tyndale Commentary series would be a better first purchase. The EBC is going through a major revision. THe Logos offering is the OLD edition that as has already been noted is quite uneven. I understand that this being corrected in the new editions. I would wait until the new editions are available before buying it in Logos.

Bohuslav Wojnar

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98819#Comment_98819

I would wait until the new editions are available before buying it in Logos.

The only thing I really use very often from the New Testament series of EBC I have in print is Carson's Matthew. It is just excellent. I am afraid it is not going to be part of the new edition. Or am I mistaken?

Alain Maashe

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98829#Comment_98829

I would wait until the new editions are available before buying it in Logos.

The only thing I really use very often from the New Testament series of EBC I have in print is Carson's Matthew. It is just excellent. I am afraid it is not going to be part of the new edition. Or am I mistaken?

All volumes are being revised

Richard Crampton

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98836#Comment_98836

I agree with the consensus here on the EBC. For the money, the Tyndale series is probably your best bet for one that covers the entire Bible. Personally I like the New Bible Commentary much better than the BKC for a one volume commentary.

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98897#Comment_98897

I agree with the consensus here on the EBC. For the money, the Tyndale series is probably your best bet for one that covers the entire Bible. Personally I like the New Bible Commentary much better than the BKC for a one volume commentary.

Rick speaks for me, too (even if he knows it not!), on Tyndale over EBC, and NBC over BKC.

I have EBC in several formats (shout out to Tess for the "87 k . . . ." comment in another thread . . .). I remember liking a few (Carson, some of Paul's Epistles, and Hebrews a bit). Disappointed in Luke, John.

Tyndale can be (too) brief in some volumes too, but over all it is a much better series, and several have pointed out some (OT and NT) are exceptional.

Keep in mind you might snag the 2 volume EBC . . . although I have never used that, so I have no clue how they condense 12 into 2 . . .

Danny Parker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98916#Comment_98916

In reply to Dan about condensed EBC:

If I remember right, they removed the footnotes and technical components. The mainstream text is reported to be the same I believe.

(‾◡◝)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98916#Comment_98916

EBC is not bad but, as someone else pointed out, some of the volumes are terrific whereas others are kinda thin w/r to content. Tyndale has always been one of my favorites, too ... I think Derek Kidner is masterful at the ability of saying much with few words (a worthy goal for any seminary graduate). [;)]

However, if I had to recommend just one top shelf set of commentaries for either a beginner or a pro, it would be James Boice. Those volumes are wonderfully balanced with respect to tone, exegesis, discussion of the text, and application. Boice died in 2000, but his legacy lives on in many ways including his commentaries and also The Bible Study Hour recordings available at http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/The_Bible_Study_Hour/archives.asp. His commentaries are available from Logos at http://www.logos.com/products/details/2664.

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98939#Comment_98939

In reply to Dan about condensed EBC:

If I remember right, they removed the footnotes and technical components. The mainstream text is reported to be the same I believe.

thanks. However, that is a bit about what I wonder: take Carson, for example. A lot of his "comments" could be construed at technical. Especially compared to the style of some of the other contributors. But removing them would rip the heart out . . .

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98947#Comment_98947

Wow, thanks for all the comments folks. I guess I'll be taking a closer look at Tyndale then as per consensus. Is it true that the EBC pre-pub has no discount? In other words, if I get Tyndale now and decide to pick up EBC later, I won't miss out on any kind of pre-pub discount?

Also, what is the consensus Tyndale vs Baker Exegetical Commentary?

Thanks again!

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98897#Comment_98897

I agree with the consensus here on the EBC. For the money, the Tyndale series is probably your best bet for one that covers the entire Bible. Personally I like the New Bible Commentary much better than the BKC for a one volume commentary.

Is New Bible Commentary the one by Carson?

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98948#Comment_98948

Wow, thanks for all the comments folks. I guess I'll be taking a closer look at Tyndale then as per consensus. Is it true that the EBC pre-pub has no discount? In other words, if I get Tyndale now and decide to pick up EBC later, I won't miss out on any kind of pre-pub discount?

Also, what is the consensus Tyndale vs Baker Exegetical Commentary?

Thanks again!

EBC has a massive discount, one of the few Z products.

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98948#Comment_98948

Also, what is the consensus Tyndale vs Baker Exegetical Commentary?

The Baker Exegetical Series has FAR fewer resources, but is very good. Perhaps you are referring to the Baker NT commentary? Hendrickson/Kistemaker? Well-respected, but you are limiting yourself to just two men. Which is why I would not go for Boice, as mentioned above (no disrespect to Boice, nor the recommendation). I'd rather get ones written by a variety people, presumably those who specialize in a particular book.

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98951#Comment_98951

I agree with the consensus here on the EBC. For the money, the Tyndale series is probably your best bet for one that covers the entire Bible. Personally I like the New Bible Commentary much better than the BKC for a one volume commentary.

Is New Bible Commentary the one by Carson?

EDITED by him. Contributors are many in this one volume work.

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98955#Comment_98955

EBC has a massive discount, one of the few Z products.

Hmmm...well that might make me stick with my original plan then. Especially since I just looked up Tyndale and it's almost twice as much as the EBC pre-pub price. That might be a bit steep for me at the moment. Maybe I'll pick up EBC and the New Bible Commentary for now. Still thinking about it though...

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98957#Comment_98957

The Baker Exegetical Series has FAR fewer resources, but is very good. Perhaps you are referring to the Baker NT commentary? Hendrickson/Kistemaker? Well-respected, but you are limiting yourself to just two men. Which is why I would not go for Boice, as mentioned above (no disrespect to Boice, nor the recommendation). I'd rather get ones written by a variety people, presumably those who specialize in a particular book.

Yeah, I didn't realize it was NT only until after I asked that. I definitely want a set that covers OT and NT. Both Baker Exegetical and Baker NT commentary are still on my list, but I want a OT/NT set for my first purchase...especially since my two small groups are currently in OT books (one in Malachi and one in Daniel).

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98961#Comment_98961

The Baker Exegetical Series has FAR fewer resources, but is very good. Perhaps you are referring to the Baker NT commentary? Hendrickson/Kistemaker? Well-respected, but you are limiting yourself to just two men. Which is why I would not go for Boice, as mentioned above (no disrespect to Boice, nor the recommendation). I'd rather get ones written by a variety people, presumably those who specialize in a particular book.

Yeah, I didn't realize it was NT only until after I asked that. I definitely want a set that covers OT and NT. Both Baker Exegetical and Baker NT commentary are still on my list, but I want a OT/NT set for my first purchase...especially since my two small groups are currently in OT books (one in Malachi and one in Daniel).

you can always contact your friendly Logos sales rep. I use Jared Bryant. See what his best deal might be. Also run by what you find it for on other sites. May not get you the same deal, but he will do his best. I would get Tyndale first. they are that much better.

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98960#Comment_98960

Hmmm...well that might make me stick with my original plan then. Especially since I just looked up Tyndale and it's almost twice as much as the EBC pre-pub price.

If you look around you can get the Tyndale set for just a little more than the EBC on pre-pub.

Richard Lyall

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98957#Comment_98957

Ditto for Tyndale - wonderful commentaries, deep and concise. Perfect for devotional study apart from anything else.

I'd add Van Gemeren's Psalms to the worthy members of the EBC set, but some of them are a bit grim to be honest. Tremper Longman III in his OT commentary roundup gives some volumes a bit of a hammering.

Dale Winters

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99000#Comment_99000

Add one more vote for the Tyndale Series. You can find it for $148 as well.

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98997#Comment_98997

If you look around you can get the Tyndale set for just a little more than the EBC on pre-pub.

I'll do that, thanks :-)

Greg Corbin

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99002#Comment_99002

I cannot find them for that price. $229 is what it keeps showing me. How do you find them for $148?

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99171#Comment_99171

It all depends on where you look. Saint Google, patron saint of searchers, can be your friend.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99172#Comment_99172

Unfortunately, we're not allowed to post links to people who undercut Logos prices. But remember the Tyndale set is in essence a book, with the ISBN of 0830842799. Try and think of a .com site where where you might buy a Christian Book. [:)]

Terry Poperszky

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99259#Comment_99259

Unfortunately, we're not allowed to post links to people who undercut Logos prices. But remember the Tyndale set is in essence a book, with the ISBN of 0830842799. Try and think of a .com site where where you might buy a Christian Book.

Oh Mark, you bad, bad man! Next you will be straining at gnats and swallowing camels! [:D] (Disclaimer: This is humor, and I am in no way upset with Mr. Barnes.)

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98960#Comment_98960

Ronald, if you will email me at wgmoore55 "at" bellsouth "dot" net, I can provide some pertinent information.

David Carter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99259#Comment_99259

Try and think of a .com site where where you might buy a Christian Book.

You must have majored in subtlety [:D]

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99520#Comment_99520

You must have majored in subtlety

Frankly I rejoice in software so readily available through a dot com. [:$]

Daniel Bender

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99523#Comment_99523

Mark, you crack me up!

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99528#Comment_99528

LOL, you guys are terrible [:P]

Paul Golder

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99605#Comment_99605

You guys are going to end up angering the sleeping Dan, and he'll come swinging his giant post deleting hammer...[li]

TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99609#Comment_99609

post deleting hammer...

Nah... He Can't Touch Dis.

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99818#Comment_99818

post deleting hammer...
Nah... He Can't Touch Dis.

Chris Hulshof

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99828#Comment_99828

For those who purchased at the subtly mentioned site...is the disc Libronix/Logos 3 or Logos 4? I returned my new laptop because it liked to freeze on me so now I'm back to my old laptop which is not able to handle L4.

Chris

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99991#Comment_99991

You can email to check, but mine was 3.0.

Alain Maashe

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/98958#Comment_98958

You might have a reason to rejoice in the following weeks, a wired pigeon (strange animal indeed) brought me a missive announcing "some exciting new titles … in the coming weeks”. Methinks the Z is coming to town and I usually rejoice when I hear from the bringer of gifts.

Maniel Leong

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/99000#Comment_99000

Other than price difference, anyone had compared Tyndale with NIV Application commentaries?

Amy Leung

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/100000#Comment_100000

You might have a reason to rejoice in the following weeks, a wired pigeon (strange animal indeed) brought me a missive announcing "some exciting new titles … in the coming weeks”. Methinks the Z is coming to town and I usually rejoice when I hear from the bringer of gifts.

Can someone please decrypt this for me? [;)]

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/100001#Comment_100001

Other than price difference, anyone had compared Tyndale with NIV Application commentaries?

Maniel, other than format difference, I haven't really compared the two. Assuming you know little about either:

NIVAC is set up to tackle a pericope in three parts:
1. Original Meaning
2. Bridging Contexts
3. Contemporary Significance

Their intended approach, moving from Original to Contemporary is unlike Tyndale. Tyndale is more what i consider a "classical" commentary (albeit not technical), which doesn't look so much at application. Application may be made, but not as overtly as with NIVAC. NIVAC has some very good volumes (no expert here, but one I liked was Ephesians). Tyndale also has some, and most of theirs are also older than NIVAC. Tyndale's have a far better reputation than NIVAC in the OT commentaries. Tyndale also has some classics, such as RT France's "Matthew", and I. H. Marshall's Acts. I like both equally well, but now that I have Tyndale in Logos, I refer to it more than Pradis . . . (that may change soon!)

Hope this helps. You can't go wrong either way. My heart says go Tyndale. But I just have more experience with it. NIVAC is very helpful with its Application section, although the quality of that varies greatly from author to author.

Terry Poperszky

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/100004#Comment_100004

Can someone please decrypt this for me?

Amy, he got an email telling him that Zondervan was going to be announcing new titles in the next couple of weeks.

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/100044#Comment_100044

Can someone please decrypt this for me?

Amy, he got an email telling him that Zondervan was going to be announcing new titles in the next couple of weeks.

i believe yours is a mistranslation caused by paraphrasis according to your librology of preference.

Maniel Leong

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/100026#Comment_100026

As this is my first multi-volume commentaries, I go for Tyndale.

Thanks a lot.

Ron

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/100069#Comment_100069

I had forgotten that I looked into the Tyndale set a month or so ago and had dismissed it due to my eschatological leanings. If I'm not mistaken, the Daniel commentary is written from an amillenial perspective and both Matthew (specifically chapter 24) and Revelation come from a preterist perspective. As a futurist, premillenialist who spends a large chunk of my study time studying prophecy, do those of you familiar with the set think that I can still get enough other benefits out of the set to overcome these rather large downsides (downsides being relative based on my own leanings of course...for others these same points may be viewed as "pros" for the set)?

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/100102#Comment_100102

I had forgotten that I looked into the Tyndale set a month or so ago and had dismissed it due to my eschatological leanings. If I'm not mistaken, the Daniel commentary is written from an amillenial perspective and both Matthew (specifically chapter 24) and Revelation come from a preterist perspective. As a futurist, premillenialist who spends a large chunk of my study time studying prophecy, do those of you familiar with the set think that I can still get enough other benefits out of the set to overcome these rather large downsides (downsides being relative based on my own leanings of course...for others these same points may be viewed as "pros" for the set)?

It would challenge you to think through your own position most carefully. Your position would be sharpened as you learn how to respond to an established, but different, view, rather than only reading what agrees with you. You would know how to better talk with those who hold that position in your congregation. Sometimes we set up straw men and defeat them. This would guard against that.