It is best to have several commentaries on each book of the Bible. Rather than purchasing sets of commentaries, I’d generally recommend the best volumes on each book.
Some of the commentaries listed below are excellent in some respects, but argue for critical views that are unpersuasive. Commentaries with an asterisk (*) require a knowledge of the Greek text.
For those who want help with Greek syntax and such, see the series Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament published by Broadman & Holman and the Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament published by Baylor University Press.
Finally, this list is arbitrary in the sense that it is personal, and I recommend what I think are the best commentaries for pastors to consult.
Matthew
- D. A. Carson, EBC: clear first choice for pastors since it is exegetically and theologically rich
- R. T. France, TNTC: a shorter treatment that is helpful
- R. T. France, NICNT: a longer exposition than TNTC and excellent as well
- C. Blomberg, NAC: a shorter but helpful commentary for pastors
- M. Wilkins, NIVAC: a clear exposition that is brief but helpful for application
- * D. Turner, BECNT: a very useful work
- * G. Osborne, ZEC: a helpful exposition of the Greek text
- * D. Hagner, WBC, 2 vols: a helpful commentary on the Greek text, more accessible than Davies and Allison
- * W. D. Davies and D.C. Allison, ICC, 3 vols: massive and technical Greek commentary
- * U. Luz, HERM, 3 vols: a careful and massive commentary, with a focus on history of interpretation
Mark
- R. T. France, NIGTC: a careful exegesis of the Greek text, the most accessible Greek text treatment for pastors
- W. Lane, NICNT: an excellent exegesis of the English text. Highly recommended for the pastor and scholar
- J. Edwards, PNTC: a helpful and clear exposition for pastors
- M. Strauss, ZEC: a very clear exposition of the Greek text, one of the best for pastors
- E. Schnabel, TNTC: helpful for pastors and students
- * M. Hooker, BNTC: a shorter commentary that is accessible to pastors
- * D. Garland, NIVAC: a solid exposition of Mark
- * R. Stein, BECNT: a helpful exegesis of the Greek text
- * R. H. Gundry: a massive commentary for the student engaging in technical research
- * R. Guelich and C. Evans, WBC, 2 vols: a Greek text commentary for technical research
- * A. Collins, HERM: technical Greek text commentary from a critical standpoint
- J. Marcus, AB, 2 vols: technical commentary for scholars from a critical standpoint
Luke
- R. H. Stein, NAC: a lucid and clear commentary for pastors and scholars
- * D. Bock, BECNT, 2 vols: a massive commentary
- * I. H. Marshall, NIGTC: a careful treatment of the Greek text by a well-known evangelical
- * J. Nolland, WBC, 3 vols: a massive Greek text exposition for those engaged in technical research
- J. Edwards, PNTC: a helpful exposition for pastors
- T. R. Schreiner, ESVEC: one I mainly agree with
- J. Fitzmyer, AB, 2 vols: a careful exegesis that is invaluable for interpreting Luke
- J. Green, NICNT: a useful exposition
- L. Johnson, SP: a clear exposition by a Roman Catholic scholar.
- * D. Garland, ZEC: a very clear exegesis of the Greek text
- * F. Bovon, HERM, 3 vols, technical commentary from a critical standpoint
John
- D. A. Carson, PNTC: the first choice for pastors, exegetically and theologically rich
- L. Morris, NICNT: a thorough and reverent exposition of the English text by a well-known evangelical
- H. N. Ridderbos, Eerdmans: theologically insightful
- C. K. Barrett, Westminster: an excellent exposition by a famous British scholar
- C. Kruse, TNTC: a solid exposition for pastors
- M. Thompson, NTL: a clear exposition
- * G. R. Beasley-Murray, WBC: a fine treatment of the Greek text
- * E. Klink, ZEC: a clear exposition of the Greek text
- R. E. Brown, AB, 2 vols: a careful exposition by the renowned Roman Catholic scholar from a critical standpoint
Acts
- P. Schreiner, CSC: my favorite Acts commentary
- F. F. Bruce, NICNT: a lucid commentary by a famous NT scholar
- D. Bock, BECNT: an excellent and clear commentary. The best Greek commentary for pastors
- * C. K. Barrett, ICC, 2 vols: a technical commentary for research purposes
- I. Howard Marshall, TNTC: a brief exposition for the pastors and scholars
- D. Peterson, PNTC: an outstanding commentary for pastors and teachers
- A. Fernando, NIVAC: a clear exposition with helpful application to today’s world
- C. Keener, Baker, 4 vols: an amazing piece of work for detailed study
- J. Fitzmyer, AB: a concise and clear commentary from a well-known scholar
- * E. Schnabel, ZEC: a clear exposition of the Greek
- * D. Garland, TTC: always clear and helpful
Romans
- D. Moo, 2nd ed, NICNT: a careful and theologically astute exposition
- * T. R. Schreiner, 2nd ed, BECNT: I find myself agreeing with this work often
- J. Murray, published by P & R: Murray’s commentary is still worth reading today, especially for its theological depth
- C. Kruse, PNTC, a clear and lucid exposition.
- * C. E. B. Cranfield, ICC, 2 vols: a technical but outstanding commentary on Romans, with rich theological insights
- J. Stott: a meaty exposition with application to today from a famous preacher
- M. Bird, SOGBC: a very clear and applicable exposition
- D. Peterson, EBTC: a very clear English exposition
- A. Hultgren, Eerdmans: a clear exposition
- * J. D. G. Dunn, WBC, 2 vols: a commentary from an exponent of “the new perspective” on Paul
- J. A. Fitzmyer, AB: a brief commentary, including interaction with the church fathers, by a famous Roman Catholic scholar
- P. Stuhlmacher: a helpful brief exposition of Romans from a famous German NT scholar
- * R. Longenecker, NIGTC: a technical commentary on the Greek text
- * F. Thielman, ZEC: a helpful and clear commentary on the Greek text
1 Corinthians
- G. Fee, NICNT: a good exposition of the letter with attention paid to its relevance for today
- * D. Garland, BECNT: a solid exposition of the Greek text
- * A. Thiselton, NIGTC: a massive and technical commentary for research purposes
- T. R. Schreiner, TNTC: a commentary for pastors and students
- C. Blomberg, NIVAC: a helpful exposition that applies 1 Cor. to today
- * R. Ciampa and B. Rosner, PNTC: a very helpful and clear exposition
- R. Hays, Int: a fine brief exposition
- B. Witherington, Eerdmans: a social scientific and rhetorical commentary
- J. Fitzmyer, AB: excellent scholarship by the well-known Catholic scholar
- * P. Gardner, ZEC: a good commentary on the Greek text
2 Corinthians
- S. Hafemann, NIVAC: exegetically clear with application to today
- P. Barnett, NICNT: a useful exposition of the letter
- D. Garland, CSC: an excellent and lucid commentary on the text
- * M. J. Harris, NIGTC: a technical but excellent commentary on the Greek text
- C. Kruse, TNTC: very clear exposition
- V. Furnish, AB: an insightful and very detailed interpretation of the letter
- P. Hughes, NICNT: this older version of the NICNT is still helpful and insightful
- F. Matera, NTL: a solid commentary by a Roman Catholic scholar
- * R. P. Martin, WBC: a technical but clear exposition of the letter
- * M. Thrall, ICC, 2 vols: a technical commentary for research purposes
- * G. Guthrie: BECNT: an excellent commentary on the Greek text
Galatians
- T. George, CSC: an excellent theological exposition, with a focus on the history of interpretation
- * F. F. Bruce, NIGTC: a technical but meaty exposition from a famous scholar
- * R. Longenecker, WBC: a technical Greek commentary on Galatians
- A. Das, CC: a very fine commentary by a conservative Lutheran
- D. deSilva, NICNT: a fine commentary with an English exposition
- C. Keener, Baker: a helpful exposition
- * D. Moo, BECNT: a very fine work of careful scholarship by one of the outstanding commentators today
- * T. R. Schreiner, ZEC: a family favorite
- G. Fee, PC: a fresh and clear exposition
- J. D. G. Dunn, BNTC: an interesting exposition from an advocate of “the new perspective”
- J. L. Martyn, AB: a massive study from a scholar who interprets Galatians from the perspective of “apocalyptic”
- M. DeBoer, NTL: a provocative commentary from an apocalyptic perspective
- * H. D. Betz, HERM: a technical commentary for research purposes
Ephesians
- C. Campbell, PNTC: a forthcoming commentary
- * H. Hoehner: a massive and technical commentary that defends Pauline authorship
- * A. Lincoln, WBC: an excellent technical commentary, though he rejects Pauline authorship
- * F. Thielman, BECNT: an excellent commentary on the Greek text
- D. Bock, TNTC: a brief exposition
- L. Cohick, NICNT: a clear exposition
- * E. Best, ICC: a technical commentary that should be consulted, though he rejects Pauline authorship
- * C. Arnold, ZEC: a clear and helpful commentary for pastors
- * S. M. Baugh, EEC: a very helpful commentary on the Greek text
- S. Fowl, NTL: a theological exposition
Philippians
- * M. Silva, BECNT: an insightful brief exposition
- G. Fee, NICNT: a clear and excellent commentary from this well-known scholar
- * G. Hawthorne, ed. by R. P. Martin, WBC: helpful Greek exegesis
- F. Thielman, NIVAC: an outstanding exposition for pastors
- M. Bockmuehl, BNTC: a helpful exposition
- L. Cohick, SOGBC: a clear exposition
- J. Reumann, AB: a thorough exposition and technical work for scholars
- * M. Keown, EEC, 2 vols: exposition of the Greek text for technical research
- * P. Holloway, HERM: a technical commentary on the Greek text for research purposes
Colossians & Philemon
- D. Moo, PNTC: an outstanding exposition for pastors
- D. Garland, NIVAC: a fine exposition for pastors
- * J. D. G. Dunn, NIGTC: a technical and helpful interpretation of the letter
- N. T. Wright, TNTC: a brief and insightful commentary from a famous British scholar
- * M. J. Harris, EGGNT: a technical commentary to help students with the Greek text
- * E. Lohse, HERM: a technical and critical commentary from a German NT scholar
- M. Barth and H. Blanke, AB, Colossians: a helpful exposition
- M. Barth and H. Blanke, ECC, Philemon: a fine exposition
- J. Fitzmyer, AB, Philemon: a very fine work
- * D. Pao, ZEC: an excellent exposition of the Greek text
- * R. McL. Wilson, ICC: a critical Greek text commentary on Colossians for research purposes
- S. McKnight, NICNT: a helpful exposition of Philemon and Colossians in two separate volumes
- * G. Beale, BECNT: a careful study of the Greek text
- M. Bird, NCCS: a clear exposition
1 & 2 Thessalonians
- G. K. Beale, NTC: the best non-technical commentary for pastors
- G. Green, PNTC: a useful exposition of the letters
- * C. Wanamaker, NIGTC: a technical and helpful exposition
- G. Fee, NICNT: a sparkling and clear exposition of the letters
- I. H. Marshall, NCB: a brief and insightful exposition of the letters
- E. Best, Harper/BNTC: a thorough investigation of various exegetical options
- * S. Kim, WBC: an excellent commentary based on the Greek text
- A. Malherbe, AB: a fine commentary by an expert in Hellenistic literature
- * J. Weima, BECNT: an excellent commentary on the Greek text
- * G. Shogren, ZEC: an exposition of the Greek text
- N. Gupta, NCCS: a clear exposition
Pastoral Epistles
- * W. Mounce, WBC: a technical and conservative exposition of the pastorals
- * G. Knight, NIGTC: a technical commentary of the pastorals from a defender of Pauline authorship
- P. Towner, NICNT: a useful exposition
- R. Yarbrough, PNTC: a very helpful exposition for pastors and students
- A. Köstenberger, EBTC: a clear exposition of the text which is useful for pastors
- G. Fee, NIBC: a brief commentary for the busy pastor
- J. N. D. Kelly, BNTC: a bit longer than Fee, with many insights
- * I. H. Marshall, ICC: a massive and technical commentary that is very learned, though he rejects Pauline authorship
- L. T. Johnson, AB: a helpful commentary from this Roman Catholic scholar who accepts Pauline authorship
- J. Quinn and W. Wacker, ECC, 1 and 2 Timothy: a helpful exposition
- J. Quinn, AB, Titus: a helpful exposition
- R. Collins, NTL: English exposition of the text by a scholar who rejects Pauline authorship
Hebrews
- * W. Lane, WBC, 2 vols: a technical but helpful commentary on Hebrews
- F. F. Bruce, NICNT: a clear exposition of the letter
- * P. Ellingworth, NIGTC: technical detail is supplied, but it is hard to see the big picture
- G. Guthrie, NIVAC: lucid exposition with application to today’s world
- P. Hughes, Eerdmans: a theologically astute exposition from a Reformed standpoint
- T. R. Schreiner, EBTC: read often in our household
- D. A. Hagner, NIBC: a brief and insightful interpretation for the busy pastor
- G. Cockerill, NICNT: an outstanding and helpful commentary from an Arminian perspective
- L. Johnson, NTL: a stimulating and fresh look
- D. deSilva, Eerdmans: a helpful exposition
- * H. Attridge, HERM: a technical work for research purposes
- C. Koester, AB: a detailed investigation for research purposes
James
1 Peter
- T. R. Schreiner, CSC: preferred by my grandchildren
- W. Grudem, TNTC: a helpful brief exposition for busy pastors
- P. Davids, NICNT: a brief but useful, lucid exposition of 1 Peter
- * P. Achtemeier, HERM: an outstanding technical interpretation of the letter—the best Greek text commentary in my judgment
- * K. Jobes, BECNT: a solid exposition of the Greek text
- * J. R. Michaels, WBC: a technical and interesting interpretation of the letter
- L. Goppelt, Eerdmans: an insightful and theologically deep commentary
- J. Elliott, AB: a massive but clear and lucid commentary
- R. Feldmeier, Baylor: an interesting treatment
- I. Marshall, NTC: a fine exposition
2 Peter & Jude
- M. Green, TNTC: a good commentary for the busy pastor
- * R. Bauckham, WBC: a technical but enormously useful commentary—the best on 2 Peter and Jude, though he denies Petrine authorship
- P. Davids, PNTC: exposition of the English text by a Roman Catholic scholar
- T. R. Schreiner, CSC: another one of my favorites
- D. J. Moo, NIVAC: solid exegesis and theology, with application for today
- J. N. D. Kelly, Harper: a very helpful and clear exposition
- * G. Green, BECNT: an interpretation of the Greek text
- J. Neyrey, AB: a social scientific work for research purposes
- * H. Batemann, EEC, Jude: a bit idiosyncratic
- J. Frey, Baylor: a gifted historical critical scholar, for research purposes
Johannine Epistles
- C. Kruse, PNTC: a very helpful exposition of the letters
- * R. Yarbrough, BECNT: a very fine exposition of the Greek text. Highly recommended for pastors
- * S. S. Smalley, WBC: an insightful exposition of the Greek text
- J. Stott, TNTC: reliable as always and accessible to the busy pastor
- I. H. Marshall, NICNT: a clear and brief exposition for the busy pastor
- * K. Jobes, ZEC: a good exposition of the Greek text
- * G. Derickson, EEC: an exposition of the Greek text
- G. Burge, NIVAC: a fine exposition
- C. Campbell, SOGBC: a clear exposition
- M. Thompson, NTC: a clear exposition of the English text
- * G. Strecker, HERM: technical study of the letters for research purposes
- R. E. Brown, AB: a massive commentary by a famous Roman Catholic scholar—for technical research
Revelation
- R. Mounce, NICNT: an excellent interpretation of the book
- * G. Beale, NIGTC: a massive and learned commentary from an amillennial perspective
- G. Beale, Eerdmans: see also his shorter commentary which is more accessible to pastors
- S. S. Smalley, Eerdmans: a helpful English commentary
- G. Ladd, Eerdmans: a lucid interpretation from the historical premillennial viewpoint
- G. B. Caird, Harper: a provocative and helpful interpretation
- * D. Aune, WBC, 3 vols: excellent on background, but lacking theologically
- D. Johnson, Presbyterian and Reformed: a helpful and clear exposition for busy pastors from an amillennial perspective
- J. Hamilton, Crossway: a very helpful exposition from a premillennial standpoint
- T. R. Schreiner, vol. 12 in ESVEC: a work for pastors and students
- G. Fee, NCCS: always clear and stimulating
- I. Paul, TNTC: a clear exposition
- * R. Thomas, WEC, 2 vols: a thorough commentary from the dispensational premillennial viewpoint
- * G. Osborne, BECNT: a clear exposition from the premillennial perspective
- C. Koester, AB: an excellent but more technical exposition
- * B. Fanning, ZEC: exposition of the Greek text from a dispensational perspective
- I. Boxall, BNTC: a clear exposition
- J. Thomas and F. Macchia, THNTC: a helpful exposition
* * * * *
Key
AB=Anchor Bible;
BECNT=Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament;
BNTC=Black’s New Testament Commentary;
CC=Concordia Commentary;
CSC=Christian Standard Commentary;
EBC=Expositor’s Bible Commentary;
EBTC=Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary;
EEC=Evangelical Exegetical Commentary;
EGGNT=Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament;
ESVEC: English Standard Version Expository Commentary;
Harper=HNTC;
HERM=Hermeneia;
Int=Interpretation;
ICC=International Critical Commentary;
ITC=International Theological Commentary;
NAC=New American Commentary;
NCB=New Century Bible;
NCCS=New Covenant Commentary Series;
NIBC=New International Biblical Commentary;
NICNT=New International Commentary on the New Testament;
NIGTC=New International Greek Testament Commentary;
NIVAC=New International Version Application Commentary;
NTC=New Testament Commentary;
NTL=New Testament Library;
PNTC=Pillar New Testament Commentary;
SOGBC; Story of God Bible Commentary;
SP=Sacra Pagina;
THNTC=Two Horizons New Testament Commentary;
TNTC=Tyndale New Testament Commentaries;
TTC=Teach the Text;
WBC=Word Biblical Commentary;
ZEC=Zondervan Exegetical Commentary
