Best Philippians Commentaries | Reviews for Preaching, Teaching, and Bible Study

The best Philippians commentaries are listed below. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. The “Top 10” list is based on aggregate reviews.

This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply Paul’s message in the book of Philemon. They are not suggested as a replacement for prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the reader’s own diligent study of Scripture.

It is hoped that these books will aid the Christian pastor, preacher, teacher, student, as well as any Bible reader that wants to understand more about Philemon.

May each reader’s aim be to glorify God in Jesus Christ; to strengthen Christ’s bride, the Church; and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.

After browsing the commentaries below, see the best one-volume bible commentaries, based on aggregate reviews.

10 Best Philippians Commentaries

Please read: The “Top 10” list below is a starting point for learning about Philippians commentaries. It is not intended to be the “final word” because of its limitations.

Nevertheless, a list based on aggregate reviews is likely to point many people in the right direction to find the right resource for their purposes.

#1

Philippians
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
by Moises Silva

Philippians commentary by Moises Silva

Reviews and Accolades:

• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Philippians; “the commentary is excellent…he is not so much trying to master the text as to be mastered by it”

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “insightful brief exposition”

• Keith Mathison: #2 ranked commentary on Philippians; “less technical, yet still very thorough”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Silva takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed. Silva has served on the NASB, NLT, and ESV translation teams and consulted on The Message.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. It was published in 1992 and revised in 2005.

The publisher notes that the BECNT series combines “scholarly depth with readability, exegetical detail with sensitivity to the whole, and attention to critical problems with theological awareness.”  

See more about the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.

#2

The Epistle to the Philippians
New International Greek Testament Commentary
by Peter T. O’Brien

Philippians commentary by Peter O'Brien

Reviews and Accolades:

• Desiring God: #1 recommended commentary on Philippians, “the best technical commentary on the Greek…theologically rich”

• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Philippians

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “technical but enormously useful”

• Keith Mathison: #1 ranked commentary on Philippians; “the best commentary on the epistle to the Philippians,” “very highly recommended”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: O’Brien takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed. O’Brien also wrote the Hebrews commentary in the Pillar series, which is considered one of the best Hebrews commentaries.

This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary. This volume contains exegesis of the Greek text and is over 600 pages in length.

The publisher notes that “at a time when the study of Greek is curtailed in many schools of theology, we hope that the NIGTC will demonstrate the continuing value of studying the Greek New Testament.”

See more about the New International Greek Testament Commentary series.

Also see: Why Peter O’Brien’s Commentaries Aren’t Published Anymore

Please also see Best Commentary Series: The Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.

#3

Philippians
Word Biblical Commentary
by Gerald F. Hawthorne and Ralph P. Martin

Philippians commentary by Ralph Martin

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “helpful Greek exegesis”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Philippians

• D.A. Carson: “equally accessible to students and pastors”

• Keith Mathison: #4 ranked commentary on Philippians; “for those who would like to consult another resource after checking O’Brien and/or Silva”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: The authors take an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Hawthorne wrote the original volume in 1983 and Martin revised in 2004. Martin also wrote the James commentary in the WBC series, which is considered one of the best James commentaries.

The publisher notes that the WBC series “delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation.”

See more about the Word Biblical Commentary series.

#4

Philippians
NIV Application Commentary
by Frank Thielman

Philippians commentary by Frank Thielman

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “outstanding exposition for pastors”

• Keith Mathison: #3 ranked commentary on Philippians; “useful in the preparation of sermons and lessons”

• D.A. Carson: “one of the more substantive entries in the series”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Thielman takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Thielman also wrote the Romans commentary in the ZECNT series, which is considered one of the best Romans commentaries.

The publisher notes that the NIVAC series helps “you with the difficult but vital task of bringing an ancient message into a modern context.” See more about the NIV Application Commentary series.

#5

Philippians
New International Commentary on the New Testament
by Gordon Fee

Philippians commentary by Gordon Fee

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a clear and excellent commentary”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Philippians

• D.A. Carson: “the zest of his prose makes him exciting to read”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Fee takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is ordained in the Assemblies of God denomination. Fee is known for 1 Corinthians commentary volume in the same series, which is considered one of the best 1 Corinthians commentaries.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the NICNT series provides “an exposition that is thorough and abreast of modern scholarship and at the same time loyal to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.”

See more about the New International Commentary on the New Testament series.

#6

The Epistle to Philippians
Black’s New Testament Commentary
by Markus Bockmuehl

Philippians commentary by Markus Bockmuehl

Reviews and Accolades:

• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Philippians; “very good…he is as able to wrestle with theological issues as with historical matters”

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a helpful exposition”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Bockmuehl takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is an expert in early Christianity.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the BNTC series “has been hailed by both scholars and pastors for its insightful interpretations and reliable commentary.”

#7

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary
by Ben Witherington III

Philippians commentary by Ben Witherington

Reviews and Accolades:

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Philippians

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Witherington takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Witherington also wrote the Revelation commentary in the NCBC series, which is considered one of the best Revelation commentaries.

The publisher notes that SRC volumes are “interpreted within the context of the world in which it was written and read.”

#8

The Letter to the Philippians
Pillar New Testament Commentary
by G. Walter Hansen

Philippians commentary Walter Hansen

Reviews and Accolades:

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Philippians

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Hansen takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He has been a missionary, pastor, and seminary professor.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Hansen also write the Galatians commentary in the IVPNTC series, which is considered one of the best Galatians commentaries.

The publisher notes that the PNTC series combines “rigorous exegesis and exposition, with an eye alert both to biblical theology and the contemporary relevance of the Bible.” See more about the Pillar New Testament Commentary series.

#9

The Message of Philippians
The Bible Speaks Today
by J.A. Motyer

Philippians commentary J.A. Motyer

Reviews and Accolades:

• Keith Mathison: #5 ranked commentary on Philippians; “his love for the word of God and for God who gave His word always shines”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Motyer takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. Motyer is known for his Isaiah commentary, which is considered one of the best Isaiah commentaries.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the BST series is unique because (1) “authors are committed to a serious study of the text in its own integrity,” (2) that “expositors should not be antiquarians, living only in the remote past” but suggests application for living, and (3) “each book is intended to be both readable in style and manageable in size.”

See more about the Bible Speaks Today commentary series.

#10

Philippians
The Story of God Bible Commentary
by Lynn H. Cohick

Philippians commentary Lynn Cohick

Reviews and Accolades:

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Philippians

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Cohick takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes.

This volume, and this series, are designed to be help pastors. The publisher that the SGBC series explains “each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible’s grand story. This “story-centric” approach makes SGBC a fruitful resource for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and everyday readers.”

More Book of Philippians Commentaries for Christian Ministry

Please read: Why are the Philippians commentaries below not in the “Top 10”? It’s not necessarily because they have received poor reviews or because people haven’t found them helpful. The reasons vary:

  • Some are relatively new and haven’t been widely reviewed, read, or used yet.
  • Others haven’t been widely distributed, so it is difficult to get enough information to aggregate.
  • Still others may be outdated in relation to biblical scholarship or out of print and difficult to acquire.

The “Top 10” list is reviewed annually. Readers are encouraged to consider the volumes in this section before making a purchase. These 10 are not in any particular order.


Verse-by-Verse Expository Commentaries


Philippians
Reformed Expositional Commentary
by Dennis E. Johnson

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Philippians commentary Dennis Johnson

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Johnson takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed. This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes.

Johnson also wrote a well-reviewed Revelation commentary called Triumph of the Lamb.

The REC series has “four fundamental commitments. First, these commentaries aim to be biblical…Second, these commentaries are unashamedly doctrinal…Third, these commentaries are redemptive-historical…Fourth, these commentaries are practical…”

See more about the Reformed Expository Commentary series.


Philippians
The IVP New Testament Commentary
by Gordon D. Fee

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Philippians commentary Gordon Fee

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Fee takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is ordained in the Assemblies of God denomination. Fee also wrote the 1-2 Thessalonians commentary in the NICNT series, which is considered one of the best 1-2 Thessalonians commentaries.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the IVPNTC series is “informed by the best of up-to-date evangelical scholarship, presents passage-by-passage commentary based on the NIV along with background information on authorship, setting, theme and various interpretive issues.”

See more about the IVP New Testament Commentary series.


Philippians
New American Commentary
by Richard R. Melick Jr.

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Philippians commentary Richard Melick

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Melick takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This series was published by conservative Baptists. Melick has taught at Gateway Seminary since 1966.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the NAC series “has been designed primarily to enable pastors, teachers, and students to read the Bible with clarity and proclaim it with power.” See more about the New American Commentary series.


Philippians
Tyndale New Testament Commentary
by Ralph P. Martin

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Philippians commentary Ralph Martin

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Martin takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. Martin revised the Philippians volume in the WBC series (see above).

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes the WBC series “examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation.” See more about the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series.


Philippians
Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
by F.F. Bruce

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Philippians commentary F.F. Bruce

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Bruce takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. Bruce is well-known for his Acts commentary in the NICNT series.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the UBCS series “breaks down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers.”

See more about the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.


Philippians
Two Horizons New Testament Commentary
by Stephen E. Fowl

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Philippians commentary Stephen Fowl

Theology, Audience, Purpose: Fowl teaches at Loyola-University of Maryland. He studied under Hawthorne who wrote Philippians in the WBC series (see above). Fowl also wrote the Ephesians commentary in the NLT series.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that Two Horizons series bridges “the existing gap between biblical studies and systematic theology.”


Philippians
A Mentor Commentary
by Matthew Harmon

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Philippians commentary Matthew Harsmon

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Harmon takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that “Mentor books are written at a level suitable for Bible College and seminary students, pastors, and other serious readers.”


Philippians
Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised
by David E. Garland

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Philippians commentary Expositor's

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Garland takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Baptist. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

This volume is under 100 pages.

Garland is known for his Mark commentary in the NIVAC series, which is considered one of the best Mark commentaries.

The publisher notes that the REBC series reflects “evangelicalism committed to the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the Bible.”

See more about the Expositor’s Bible Commentary series.


Philippians and Philemon
New Testament Library
by Charles B. Cousar

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Philippians commentary Charles Cousar

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Cousar is Professor of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This commentary is less than 100 pages.

The publisher notes that the NLT series provides “fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text.”


Technical Commentaries


Philippians and Philemon
Paideia Commentary
by James W. Thompson and Bruce W. Longenecker

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Philippians commentary paideia

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Longenecker is Professor of Early Christianity at Baylor University. This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary.

The publisher notes that this series “approaches each text in its final, canonical form, proceeding by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse.

Each sense unit is explored in three sections: (1) introductory matters, (2) tracing the train of thought, (3) key hermeneutical and theological questions. Graduate and seminary students, professors, and pastors will benefit from this readable commentary, as will theological libraries.”


Philippians
Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament
by Joseph H. Hellerman

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Philippians commentary Joseph Hellerman

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Hellerman is Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Talbot School of Theology. This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary.

Volumes in the series provide Greek help and also preaching suggestions. The publisher notes that EGGNT “commentaries present historical and literary insights for understanding the text within the Bible’s larger story and applying it to everyday life.”


Philippians
Hermeneia
by Paul A. Holloway

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Philippians commentary Holloway Hermenia

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary.

The publisher notes that the Hermeneia series “has a rich background in the history of biblical interpretation as a term for the detailed, systematic exposition of a scriptural work. Hermeneia is designed for the serious student of the Bible.


Philippians
Evangelical Exegetical Commentary
by Mark Keown

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Philippians commentary Mark Keown

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Keown takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the EEC series “incorporates the latest in critical biblical scholarship, yet each volume is written from a distinctly evangelical perspective.”


Philippians
The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
by John Reumann

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Philippians commentary John Reumann

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: This commentary is best for readers who can follow a technical Greek commentary. It is over 800 pages in length.

The publisher notes that the Anchor series “vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible.”


Classic Philippians Commentaries

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
by Mark J. Edwards

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Philippians commentary Ancient Christian

Synopsis: This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes.

The publisher notes that “the expository voices of Jerome, Origen, Augustine, Chrysostom, Ambrosiaster, Theodoret, Marius Victorinus and Theodore of Mopsuestia speak again with eloquence and intellectual acumen, some in English translation for the first time.”


Philippians
Crossway Classic Commentaries
by J.B. Lightfoot

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Philippians commentary Lightfoot Corssway

Synopsis: Lightfoot was an English theologian (d. 1889). This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes.

The publisher notes that commentaries in this series “present the very best work on individual Bible books, carefully adapted for maximum understanding and usefulness for today’s believers.”


Also see:

Compare 75 different commentary series on the Bible Commentary Series Comparison Chart

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