09/18/2022 – Logos Biblical Software // Top five rated commentaries. /Check it out! Take a moment to reflect on the possibilities for small groups scattered around the globe! And then share with us.// 1 of 2
I have wanted Logos biblical software for years. It was over $1,000 years ago but I see a sale price on the Logos 9 starter version for $294.99. Sadly, I had to leave it this morning after just a few minutes of browsing. My bride joked to my daughter that they would never see me again if I purchased this. But I encourage y’all to do your own browsing from the menu bar up on top: www.logos.com. I shall return…
And, I just did a quick cut and paste on the top five recommended Bible commentaries. We would enliven our blog discussion of daily Semikkah7 bible assignments if we had brothers drawing a cross section of these commentaries. Note the comment here under the first one, NICOT/NICNT: “But comments transcend observation, moving into theological reflections and application.” No? Thoughts?
Blessings to y’all’s day. Soli Deo Gloria!
1. New International Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (NICOT/NICNT)
NICOT/NICNT volumes are some of the highest-rated evangelical commentaries in existence. On bestcommentaries.com:
- 15 volumes are ranked #1 for their book
- 39 make the top 3
- Only 7 volumes fall outside the top 5
Pastors, seminarians, and other students of the Bible love this series, and here are a few reasons why:
- They are evangelical: Every author in the series affirms Scripture as the inspired, infallible word of God.
- They are critical yet theological: Authors apply modern scholarly methods and deal in textual criticism and textual, literary, and form analysis. Comments are based on the author’s own translation of the Greek or Hebrew and thus stand on a deep familiarity with the text. But comments transcend observation, moving into theological reflection and application.
- They are well organized: Since broader commentary is usually placed in the body text and technical comments in the footnotes, it’s easy to locate areas of interest and then dig deeper.
The NICOT/NICNT series is a keep-in-the-trunk toolbox for every occasion. It strikes a nice balance without losing thoroughness.
With over 46 contributions, including Gordon Fee, David deSilva, Scot McKnight, F. F. Bruce, and Bruce Waltke, the series boasts gifted scholars writing on their areas of expertise.
2. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (EBC)
The first thing you should read about the EBC is this review from Logos Bible Softwareuser Jim M.:
The text is well written, full of excellent insights, scholarly without being dry, and is eminently readable and easy to understand. It flows so well and holds your interest that reading it is more like reading a nonfiction novel than a reference work. I find that I usually read beyond what I intended to look up.
Perhaps that kind of readability is why it’s sold over two million copies? It also won the coveted Gold Medallion Book Award for exceptional Christian content. Originally published in 1976, the series has become a benchmark tool for pastors and Bible students.
The popular commentary series was revised in 2012, and the updated version (REBC)provides an analysis of each biblical book, plus an introduction, outline, and bibliography.
Craig Keener calls the REBC “an abundance of excellent scholarship from many of the most prominent and careful evangelical biblical scholars today.” A team of 50 respected authors contributed their expertise, each articulating well-researched convictions while dealing fairly with opposing points of view.
3. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT)
Praised for both its thoughtful scholarship and readability, the BECNT is one exegetical commentary you’ll find in many a Bible study library.
A wide variety of scholars from differing theological persuasions contributed, offering a diverse bank of scholarly knowledge. By investigating a variety of viewpoints—while maintaining allegiance to biblical truth—the BECNT provides an authoritative view of each study passage.
Eight of the 18 volumes are ranked 3 or above on bestcommentaries.com, and seminary professors love it:
This series has set a new standard in reader-friendliness with its attractive presentation that combines detailed exegetical comment on the Greek text with accessibility for those who have little or no knowledge of the original language of the New Testament.
—I. Howard Marshall, emeritus professor of New Testament exegesis at University of Aberdeen
Rigorous exegesis by seasoned scholars with explicit evangelical commitments. This is also one of the best-designed, easy-to-read series as it includes intro matters, then each commentator’s translation, commentary, and textual notes for every passage. Very reliable.
—Bruce Riley Ashford, provost and dean of faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
4. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (ZECNT)
Written with Bible teachers and preachers in mind, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (ZECNT) dives both into what the text means and its application for today.
Each of its 10 volumes gives you an exegetical outline with verse-by-verse commentary. It engages scholarly literature, but it’s not bogged down with technical jargon—the series’ aim is not to review and critique every possible interpretation of a passage.
Instead, the goal is to exegete each passage of Scripture succinctly in its grammatical and historical context. Each passage is interpreted in light of its biblical setting with attention to grammatical detail, literary context, flow of biblical argument, and historical setting.
The ZECNT is a go-to commentary for many pastors. Here’s why, from Logos user Brett K.:
I’m sad when I’m speaking from a book that has yet to have a ZECNT commentary. I love that this series is meant specifically for pastors. It utilizes basic to moderate knowledge of Greek, but you don’t need them to understand the work. I also appreciate that there is a Semantic diagram of the passage in English to show the thought flow of the author. Each commentary is quite succinct so you don’t end up reading more information than necessary. I think this is part of their goal to equip pastors and teachers rather than focus on academic debates.
5. New International Greek Testament Commentary (NIGTC)
This five-star commentary helps students of the Bible exegete Scripture—with understanding of the historical, linguistic, and textual context. Even students new to Greek will glean from detailed verse-by-verse commentary and insightful comments about each section of the text.
If you were to scroll through praise of NIGTC’s 13-volume collection, you’d read comments like this one on Epistle to the Galatians from The Expository Times: “Massive learning is combined with an easy style. Students who work carefully through this commentary alongside the Greek New Testament will learn much.”
And NIGTC volumes have won multiple awards:
- Academy of Parish Clergy Top Ten Books of the Year (2001) 1 Corinthians
- Evangelical Christian Publishers Association – Gold Medallion award for Commentaries (1983) Galatians
- Academy of Parish Clergy Top Ten Books of the Year – Special Recognition (1997) Colossians & Philemon
- Christianity Today – Number 3 Critics Choice for Commentaries (1994) Hebrews
- Evangelical Christian Publishers Association – Gold Medallion finalist for Reference/Commentary (2001) 1 Corinthians
No wonder NIGTC’s The Gospel of Mark, Philippians, The Epistles to the Thessalonians, and The Book of the Revelation are ranked number one at bestcommentaries.com.