Product Guide to Multi-Volume Commentaries
All of the multivolume commentary series listed below are available for the Libronix Digital Library System. They are listed in alphabetical order.
For each commentary series, we give the series title, publisher, which Bible version(s) is followed, how much Greek or Hebrew text appears, number of volumes are included and biblical books covered, a brief description of the series, and links to where you can buy it. You can click an image or series title to read about a series in detail.
Additionally, each commentary is labeled for its intended audience with one or more of the following icons. Most commentaries receive a combination of labels, since they are intended to serve more than one audience.
- The best of biblical criticism with more of a scholarly focus. Some comments will be driven by the academic agenda. The amount of theological reflection will depend on the author and commentary series.
- Geared for pastors and teachers, though built upon a solid academic foundation. Accessible to serious lay people.
- Written with a lay-audience in mind, though typically useful for preaching and teaching.
Note: The "intended audience" labels and definitions are borrowed from Prof. Tyler F. Williams' Old Testament Commentary Survey, with the author's permission. We take responsibility for the application of the labels to each commentary series, though we follow Prof. Williams' classifications in many cases. You may be interested in viewing his survey, which discusses and classifies individual volumes of OT commentary.
InterVarsity Press
Follows the King James Version or Revised Standard Version
English text only
12 volumes covering 17 OT & 16 NT books
As stated in the general introduction, "This is a full-scale classic commentary on Scripture consisting of selections in modern translation from the ancient Christian writers."
The vast array of writings from the church fathers—including much that is available only in the ancient languages—have been combed for their comment on Scripture. From these results, scholars with a deep knowledge of the fathers and a heart for the church have hand-selected material for each volume, shaping, annotating and introducing it to today’s readers. Each portion of commentary has been chosen for its salient insight, its rhetorical power and its faithful representation of the consensual exegesis of the early church.
The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture is an ecumenical project, promoting a vital link of communication between the varied Christian traditions of today and their common ancient ancestors in the faith. On this shared ground we listen as leading pastoral theologians of eight centuries gather around the text of Scripture and offer their best theological, spiritual and pastoral insights.
Available as a series.
Moisés Silva, Editor
Baker Academic Publishing
Greek text in main body appears with transliteration and explanation
8 volumes covering 7 NT books
Each volume in the BECNT series interacts with the best contemporary scholarship, offering up-to-date, accurate, and authoritative analysis of the Greek text through rigorous exegesis and exposition. Central themes are developed throughout, and each exegetical unit is related to the overall message of the biblical book. Pastors and seminarians especially appreciate the combination of broad overview and in-depth analysis found in BECNT volumes, but the BECNT series is also popular with scholars and thoughtful lay readers.
David E. Garland's volume on 1 Corinthians received an Award of Merit for Biblical Studies from Christianity Today in 2004.
Available as a series.
William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker
Baker, 1954-2001
Includes and follows authors' translations
Greek text appears only in special sections; occasional transliterations elsewhere
12 volumes covering all NT books
This award-winning series from Baker Academic is currently the only available commentary from a Reformed perspective that covers the entire New Testament. Baker's New Testament Commentary is composed for the benefit of serious Bible students and pastors who want the insight of quality evangelical scholarship communicated with clarity. Each volume offers fresh translation, repetition of the text before each exegetical unit, verse-by-verse comments and applications, critical notes on the Greek text, and chapter summaries. Extensive bibliographies and indexes of authors, Scripture, and other ancient writings enhance the usefulness of each volume.
Four volumes have earned the Gold Medallion Award: Hebrews, James and 1-3 John, Acts, and 1 Corinthians.
Available as a series.
Herald Press
Follows the New Revised Standard Version (some volumes follow the RSV; some include authors' translation)
Occasional Greek and Hebrew transliterations appear
19 volumes covering 12 OT & 14 NT books
The Believers Church Bible Commentary Series is published for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers. The series is based on the conviction that God is still speaking to all who will listen, and that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a living and authoritative guide for all who want to know and do God’s will.
Each volume illuminates the Scriptures; provides historical and cultural background; shares necessary theological, sociological, and ethical meanings; and, in general, makes "the rough places plain." Critical issues are not avoided, but neither are they moved into the foreground as debates among scholars. The series aids in the interpretive process, but it does not attempt to supersede the authority of the Word and Spirit as discerned in the gathered church.
The Believers Church Bible Commentary is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, and Mennonite Church.
Available as a series.
Warren W. Wiersbe
Victor, 1972-
Follows the King James Version
English text only
23 volumes covering all NT books
Here are commentaries that don't read like commentaries, but like letters from a good friend. Here is the exciting truth of the New Testament Scriptures wrapped in the warm, personal style of one of America's best-loved Bible teachers. Study the entire New Testament, from Matthew through Revelation, in digestible sections that emphasize personal application as well as biblical content. And be spiritually enriched as have hundreds of thousands of other pastors, teachers, and students of the Word who have benefited from this bestselling series with over 3 million copies in print.
Included in most base packages; also available as a series or individual volumes.
Baker Book House
22 volumes covering 24 OT & 24 NT books
For over 400 years, many Christian readers have read and studied the works and writings of John Calvin. In this span of time, few writers have had the profound and continued impact on Christianity that John Calvin has had. These commentaries helped shape and influence the Christians of the Reformation, and inspire the Christian readers of today.
Available as a series.
Wesleyan Heritage Publications
Some Greek, Hebrew and Latin appears
8 volumes covering the whole Bible
Adam Clarke (1760-1832) was one of the most influential Methodists to follow John Wesley. Clarke served an unprecedented three terms as President of the Wesleyan Conference, and his writings were particularly influential in the development of the doctrine of sanctification in the American Holiness movement. His 8 volume whole Bible Commentary which defined Methodist scholarship remains one of the most revered and used commentaries today.
Available as a series.
MacMillan
Greek text appears throughout
14 volumes covering 18 NT books
This collection consists of more than a dozen commentaries that focus on the text of the Greek New Testament. Most of them were originally published by MacMillan between 1880 and 1920, and a number have been reprinted over the years by publishers like Eerdmans, Zondervan, Kregel, and others.
Selected volumes included in Scholar's Library: Silver and Scholar's Library: Gold; also available as a series or individual volumes.
College Press
Follows the New International Version
Greek and Hebrew text appears with transliteration
35 volumes covering the whole Bible
The College Press Commentary Series, which is based on the New International Version Bible, blends solid scholarship with practical usefulness. It is written with the layperson, Bible study leader, preacher, or youthworker in mind.
The publisher says of the series, "Years ago a movement was begun with the dream of uniting all Christians on the basis of a common purpose (world evangelism) under a common authority (The Word of God). The College Press NIV Commentary Series is a serious effort to join the scholarship of two branches of this unity movement so as to speak with one voice concerning the Word of God. Our desire is to provide a resource for your study of the New Testament that will benefit you whether you are preparing a Bible School lesson, a sermon, a college course or your own personal devotions. Today as we survey the wreckage of a broken world, we must turn again to the Lord and his Word, unite under his banner and communicate the life-giving message to those who are in desperate need. This is our purpose."
New Testament available as a series or individual volumes; Old Testament available as a series.
Liturgical Press
Follows revised New American Bible
English text only
36 volumes covering the whole Bible, including Apocrypha
This complete family of Bible commentary resources is the work of a highly respected group of Bible scholars and represents the latest thought in Scripture study, yet each book is written with the average reader in mind. Maps and photos throughout the series illustrate the lands of biblical importance.
Available as part of the Collegeville Catholic Reference Library.
Crossway Books
Follows the New International Version
English text only
13 volumes covering 14 NT books
Classic commentary on Scripture from authors such as Calvin, Hodge, Ryle, Spurgeon and Lightfoot. These are edited and abridged editions, made more accessible to the English-only reader by removing quotations from the original languages, discussions of textual variants, and other technical matter. Commentary is keyed to the New International Version. This article discusses the differences between the Crossway and original editions of the Lightfoot volumes.
Thirteen volumes available as a series or individually.
Hendrickson Publishers
Follows the King James Version
English text only
6 volumes covering the whole Bible
An eighteenth-century masterwork of learning and devotion, this commentary on the whole Bible was originally published as six volumes. Matthew Henry (1662-1714) studied law at Gray's Inn and was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1687. He served churches in Chester and in Hackney, near London. He began writing his famous commentary in 1701. Matthew Henry's warm mix of scholarship and practical application has made his commentary a favorite of preachers and devotional readers for nearly three hundred years.
F. W. Danker says of Matthew Henry, "This humble Christian combines quaintness with felicitous expression, and a balanced judgment with extraordinary insight into the meaning of Scripture in a work not intended to be of critical value"
Unabridged edition included in most base products; also available as a download, in Spanish, and as an abridgement.
Fortress Press, copyrights 1985-2006
Greek and Hebrew text usually appear with translation in commentary, untranslated in footnotes
Includes & uses New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible
40 volumes covering 32 biblical books, 6 non-canonical works, with some books covered twice
Hermeneia is unique in its quality of scholarship, critical approach, and full-length commentary on selected non-canonical texts. The publisher describes Hermeneia as "a critical commentary series based upon the interpretation of the original texts of the biblical books and other literature closely related to the Bible."
Designed for the serious student of the Bible, each volume in the Hermeneia series aims to lay bare the ancient meaning of a biblical work and utilizes the full range of philological and historical tools. The aim of each volume is to provide a full critical discussion of each problem of interpretation and the primary data upon which the discussion is based. The authors make full use of ancient Semitic and classical languages along with English translations of all comparative materials—Greek, Latin, Canaanite, or Akkadian.
Available as a series.
Holdsworth and Ball, 1832
English text only
21 volumes covering the entire Bible
The 21 volumes, featuring Simeon’s collected sermons, represent the fruit of his fifty-four years of preaching. These expository outlines (or “skeletons”) are not a verse-by-verse explanation of the English Bible. Rather, they are a chapter-by-chapter study with explanations of the most important and instructive verses in each chapter. Simeon’s aim with this commentary is “Instruction relative to the Composition of Sermons.” To this end, his exposition of the Scriptures focuses on the more general aspects of a passage rather than delving into the particulars. Simeon's test for a sermon, as he teaches in Horae Homileticae, is threefold: does it humble the sinner, exalt the Saviour and promote holiness?
Available as a series.
Originally Printed in 1903
Occasionally Greek and Hebrew appears
6 volumes covering the whole Bible
5,410 total page count
The inception of this work took place at a time when critical and historical scholarship had arrived at mature and reliable conclusions concerning the text and truth of the Bible. What had been regarded as subversive of the Christian faith was now accepted without question. To be sure, there have been changes and even modifications in the attitude toward certain subjects, but the general consensus of Biblical scholarship has not been thereby affected. None of the results has in the least undermined the accepted view of the Church that the Bible is the Revelation of the spiritual life, imparted "by divers portions and in divers manners," and marked by energy, variety and adaptability. The Bible continues to occupy its place of finality as the supreme Authority on Religion and Morals. This is the basis on which The Expositor’s Bible was written.
T&T Clark International, series began 1895
Greek and Hebrew text appear throughout
53 volumes covering 33 OT books & the whole NT (Isaiah is partial; some books are covered twice)
The International Critical Commentary series, published by T&T Clark International, has long held a special place among works on the Bible. It brings together all the relevant aids to exegesis: linguistic and textual, archaeological, historical, literary, and theological, with a comprehensiveness and quality of scholarship unmatched by any other series.
Available as a series.
Eerdmans, 1983-1998
Follows the Revised Standard Version or New Revised Standard Version
Transliterated text appears occasionally
27 volumes covering 34 OT books
This series aims first, to develop the theological significance of the Old Testament, and second to emphasize the relevance of each book for the life of the church. It is intended to "move beyond a descriptive-historical approach to offer a relevant exegesis of the Old Testament text as Holy Scripture."
Recognizing that in our age especially, a commentary on the Bible must transcend the parochialism of Western civilization, the International Theological Commentary is sensitive to issues that are the special problems of those who live outside the "Christian" West. Authors from more than seventeen countries, representing a wide range of geographical, ideological, and ecclesiastical backgrounds, read the Hebrew text of the Old Testament in the twin contexts of Israel and our present day.
Available as a series.
InterVarsity Press
Follows the New International Version
Greek appears in transliteration only
18 volumes covering 24 NT books
Pastors with a passion for sound exposition have joined forces with scholars with pastoral hearts to produce this exciting commentary series. These 18 volumes, informed by the best of recent evangelical scholarship, expound the implications of each New Testament book for today's church. Within the unique series format, pastors, teachers and Bible study leaders alike will find clear, forceful presentations of the heart of each New Testament author's message, coupled with helpful attention to tough exegetical issues.
The Preface states, "In an age of proliferating commentary series, one might easily ask why add yet another to the seeming glut. The simplest answer is that no other series has yet achi