Logos Staff
The best devotional commentaries have earned a place in the personal Bible study of Christians around the globe.
Even though devotional commentaries don’t have “devotional” in their official titles, that’s still an excellent descriptor because they’re (1) easy to understand and (2) geared toward application.
You might even see them called “beginner commentaries” for the same reasons.
You’ll find ten well-loved, top-rated devotional commentary options right here. Many are geared toward not only learning the Bible for yourself, but also teaching others.
Complete Old Testament + New Testament devotional commentaries series
1. The Bible Speaks Today (55 vols.)
More than a million copies have been sold of the BST commentary, which is centered on applying the Bible’s messages to Christians today. Volumes will take you passage by passage through Scripture while covering key themes. Its goals are to approachably and accurately expound the Bible and relate it to contemporary life.
You can get them as a set for a little over $10 each. Or get all volumes as part of the Logos 8 Anglican Silver Legacy Library for only $280. (It comes with tons of other Bible resources worth $4,376.43.) Either way, with the Logos Bible app you can take them anywhere.
2. Tyndale Commentaries (48 vols.)
Written by some of the world’s most distinguished evangelical scholars, the TOTC/TNTC commentaries help readers understand what the text says and what it means, going section by section rather than verse by verse. They take extra care to comment on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Christianity Today says “The evenness and quality of this series are remarkable.” And reviewer David A. says you’ll “get insights you may not have thought about.”
3. Holman Commentary: Old and New Testament (32 vols.)
Based on the popular NIV, this verse-by-verse commentary explains biblical text based on trusted scholarship. Since the series is designed to enrich both new and experienced Bible teachers, Christians reading it as part of their devotional time will be sure to learn from these volumes.
Each chapter begins with an introduction and ends with an overview of what was studied, a section on life applications, deeper discoveries, a teaching outline, and discussion questions. One reviewer calls it “easy to read but not wordy.”
4. The Bible for Everyone Commentary Collection (35 vols.)
Written by internationally respected scholars N. T. Wright and John Goldingay, The Bible for Everyone series addresses and interprets Scripture from Genesis to Revelation so that even the most challenging passages are explained simply and concisely. Each short passage is followed by a readable discussion with background information, explanations and suggestions, and ideas for how the text can be relevant to our lives today. The Christian Century says, “No other commentary series comes even close.”
5. Wesleyan Bible Commentary (7 vols.)
This commentary series aims for a high level of sound biblical scholarship and practicality. Pastors find these commentaries useful for sermon preparation, and everyday Christians find them ideal for personal study. This brief excerpt from the Matthew–Acts volume shows their readability:
One of the most striking features of this genealogy of Jesus is that it contains the names of four women. This is surprising, for women usually were not recognized by the Jews when thinking of their ancestors. There must have been a reason for this strange phenomenon. What was it?
The rather obvious answer reveals the marvelous grace of God.1
Single-volume beginner Bible commentaries
1. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Though the oldest title on this list, this commentary’s helpful information and heart-stirring application keeps it popular in daily devotions decade after decade. These comments on Genesis 1:1, for instance, show how timeless it can be:
From what we see of heaven and earth, we learn the power of the great Creator. And let our make and place as men, remind us of our duty as Christians, always to keep heaven in our eye, and the earth under our feet.2
It’s very affordable since it’s a single volume, but you can also get it for free forever in the Logos Bible app available on mobile, desktop, and web.
2. The Moody Bible Commentary
This commentary offers insights from a team of thirty Moody Bible Institute professors whose academic training, practical church experience, and teaching abilities make it an excellent resource for anyone looking to understand and apply the Scriptures. One reviewer says, “Great and detailed insight in the context of the church, words used, and much more. Highly recommended!” And Logos user Dan P. says, “SURPRISINGLY good for a one-volume commentary.”
Multivolume beginner commentary series
These series don’t cover every New Testament and Old Testament book, but they come close.
1. Warren Wiersbe’s “Be” Series (50 vols.)
The “Be” Series is the culmination of Warren Wiersbe’s life work and is respected by many as an easy-to-read, stimulating approach to Bible study. Breaking down each book into topical chapters, Wiersbe writes a commentary series that allows any reader to understand the biblical text in new ways.
2. Believers Church Bible Commentary (33 vols.)
The BCBC series is detailed yet accessible for all those searching the Bible for truth and life. 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 by providing historical and cultural background; explaining theological, sociological, and ethical meanings, and making “the rough places plain.”
3. God’s Word for You Series (30 vols.)
God’s Word for You walks through books of the Bible verse by verse. Read these commentaries like books, use them to feed on God’s Word as a daily devotional complete with reflection questions, or use them as you prepare to lead small-group Bible studies or teach in your church.
The best way to use the best devotional commentaries
You can take an excellent Bible study resource and make it even better with just one decision—adding it to a Logos digital library instead of a physical library.
Of course, you can then take all of your inches-thick commentaries everywhere you go.
But since Logos is so much more than an e-reader, you can also use it to take your Bible study deeper, faster. You can easily do things like create a reading plan from a commentary (so it actually gets read instead of sitting on your digital shelf) or study a word with a click or tap.
Logos user Alan B. says, “I had been on a slow-paced journey learning about God’s plan through Jesus Christ. Logos has changed that to a fast-paced journey.”
Here’s a glimpse at how:
Plus, with Logos packages, you save around 90 percent compared to the cost of buying resources individually. Download the free version or find the more powerful, comprehensive option that’s right for you! Since there’s a thirty-day happiness guarantee, you can always go back to paper if you don’t love how Logos helps you live in the Word.
Related resources
The Best Commentaries for Every Book of the Bible
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- Ralph Earle, “The Gospel according to St. Matthew,” in Matthew–Acts, vol. 4, The Wesleyan Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1966), 11.
- Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible (WordSearch, 2011), Ge 1:1.
Peter Krol
James-Michael Smith