I am looking to purchase a bible commantary, i am sure somebody has had some experience with a good one in the past. which one should i get?? which one is more accurate?? I have seen the Matthew Henry one and John Wycliffe and a few others. I just dont know enough about them. if anybody can help that would be great. thanks and Keep going after Jesus.

NICK

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nick schmidt

In general, commentaries covering a single book or pair of books are better than a Bible commentary itself.

If you would like to save money, just get a computer Bible suite (Online Bible, which is free, for example) that includes (usually older) commentaries.

Personally, I can't stand Matthew Henry's commentary. John Gill's isn't bad, but one has to overlook his hyper-Calvinism.

The best full-Bible commentary is probably the Anchor Bible commentary, but it's fairly pricy. It has some definite weak spots, but it's good in general.

I'm sure some others have thoughts as well.

Jason, what exactly would you describe as hyper-calvinism....? thanks scott

Gill, for one thing, denied that preachers had any right to offer Christ to unregenerate sinners.

This is in accord with "hyper-Calvinism," which essentially holds that God is responsible for the salvation of the elect, so it is worthless to really try to do anything -- our efforts will invariably fail and he'll save who he wants to save regardless.

Here's a link with some information on hyper-Calvinism (and its effects on missions):
http://library.sebts.edu/sprescott/Spring%202003%20HIS%20302/4.03.01%20-%20The%20Birth%20of%20Modern%20Missions.htm

Hi Jason
Sounds as if you had some bad experiences with Matthew Henry! Charles Spurgeon used to advise his students thus:
"Get a copy of Matthew Henry. If you can't afford it, sell your coat and preach in your shirtsleeves!"
Like lots of older commentaries and books it is slow going but there is gold in Matthew Henry! How about this bit?
from his comments on the creation of the woman..
That the woman was made
of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him,
nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be
equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be
beloved.

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Ron Bailey

Hi Nick
In the UK the IVP used to publish a single volume commentary "The New Bible Commentary". I would recommend a second hand copy at least 30 years old. Modern evangelical scholarship in the UK has become more and more liberal.
What kind of commentary are you looking for?
Devotional: Matthew Henry
Academic: New Bible Commentary
Campbell Morgan preached through most of the New Testament and he is my favourite bible expositor. From time to time his works are reissued.

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Ron Bailey

I agree that there are some good things in Henry's commentary. My problem with him is several-fold, however. First of all, he misses a lot of obvious comment-worthy material. Secondly, he was a cessationist, which means that he had a weak foundation for a solid overall theology. This is reflected often in his commentary. Thirdly, as you said he's "slow going" ... I don't mind volume (Gill's commentary is one of the longest), but I do mind worthless chatter. Every time I use his commentary, I end up saying something to the effect of: "For goodness' sake Mr. Henry, say something worthwhile and do it economically!"

(I have been corrected; Henry was not a dispensationalist as I put earlier. Sorry for the mistake.)

Henry was not a dispensationalist, and, btw, he had a solid overall theology....

from whence cometh your animus ?

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Karsten Nordmo

I have no particular animus for Henry; I just think his commentary is poor.

I'll shoot straight with you, Jason. I think the Lord may be leading you into some subjects and you may be kicking against the goads a bit. ;)

God bless,
Karsten

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Karsten Nordmo