Concordia commentaries are in-depth, evangelical, biblical studies resources for pastors, professors, and lay people who are able to follow advanced discussions on the interpretation and theology of Scripture.
Concordia volumes adopt a Christ-centered approach to all 66 books of the bible, as authors are always mindful of how the person and work of Christ are revealed in both testaments.
Commentary authors fully affirm “the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture, as it emphasizes ‘that which promotes Christ’ in each pericope.”
While the publisher and authors are committed to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, anyone interested in evangelical, Christ-centered interpretations will benefit from these volumes.
Which commentary series is best for your purposes? See Best Bible Commentaries: Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.
Concordia Commentary Series: Reviews
On the Mark volume:
“James Voelz’s concentration on the distinctiveness and precision of Mark’s language and style distinguishes this learned and readable commentary from others on the market.
The clarity of his articulate expositions, the abundance of helpful examples given and the alertness to contrary views testify to the book’s origins in decades of inspiring teaching. Now a world-wide readership is able to participate in this meticulous analysis of Mark’s Gospel.”
~ J. Keith Elliott, emeritus professor of New Testament textual criticism, University of Leeds, UK
On the Galatians volume:
“Massively researched with careful and clear exposition of the text and key critical issues: this will be an invaluable resource for all those grappling with Paul’s presentation of his gospel in Galatians.”
~ Christopher Tuckett, emeritus professor of New Testament studies, University of Oxford, England
Author Interviews from the Concordia series on Best Bible Commentaries
Jonah – Reed Lessing: (click to read full Q & A)
Preview: Jonah is the only prophet Jesus compares himself with. The primary connection is that both fell under God’s judgment and both survived to talk about it.
Jonah ends with a question—should Yahweh show compassion to the Ninevites and their animals? (Jonah 4:11) We don’t know how Jonah responded, yet we know what Jesus said when faced with similar questions regarding compassion. Jesus said, “yes,” and he wrote this answer in his own blood.
Hebrews – John Kleinig: (click to read full Q & A)
Preview: As a word of encouragement (Heb 13:22) the letter not only appealed to my imagination with its rhetoric that is addressed to all five sense but also spoke to my conscience with its message of cleansing and pardon, sanctification and empowerment through the blood of Jesus to strengthen my faith, inspire my hope and provoke my love for my fellow saints.
More interviews:
Volumes in the Concordia Commentary Series
Browse Leviticus on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Joshua on Amazon via its exact ISBN
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Browse 1 Samuel on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse 2 Samuel on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse 1 Kings 1-11 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse 1 Kings 12-22 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Ezra/Nehemiah on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Proverbs on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Ecclesiastes on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Song of Songs on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Isaiah 40-55 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Isaiah 56-66 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Ezekiel 1-20 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Ezekiel 21-48 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Daniel on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Amos on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Jonah on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Matthew 1:1-11:1 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Matthew 11:2-20:34 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Mathew 21:1-28:20 on Amazon its exact ISBN
Browse Mark 1:1-8:26 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Luke 1:1-9:50 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Luke 9:51-24:53 on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Romans 1-8 on Amazon its exact ISBN
Browse 1 Corinthians on Amazon via is exact ISBN
Browse Galatians on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Colossians on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Philemon on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse 2 Peter-Jude on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse 1-3 John on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Browse Revelation on Amazon via its exact ISBN
Purpose of the Concordia Commentary Series
Each volume provides an original translation and meticulous grammatical analysis of the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek text.
Further light is shed on the passage from extrabiblical literature, ancient cultures, and archaeology.
The author offers an exposition of the text’s meaning within its original historical context, highlights from its reception history, and a fresh theological interpretation that is eminently relevant today.
Authors are sensitive to the rich treasury of language, imagery, and themes that extend throughout Scripture from creation and the fall into sin to redemption, the return of Christ, and the eschaton.
Attention is given to the biblical dialectics of Law and Gospel, sin and grace, death and new life, and the eschatological tension between the “now” and the “not yet” inaugurated by the arrival of the kingdom of God in Christ.
Finally, Scripture’s message is applied to the ongoing life of the church in terms of ministry, worship, proclamation of the Word, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, confession of the faith, and worldwide mission—all in joyful anticipation of the life of the world to come.
Note: See the Bible Commentaries Comparison Chart to see how the Concordia series compares to dozens of other commentary series.
Also see The Communicator’s Commentary series