Preaching the Word Commentaries (PTW) | Reviews, Theology

The Preaching the Word commentary series, published by Crossway, is an award-winning, exposition-focused Bible study resource that broadly reflects Reformed theology. Most authors are Presbyterian, though some are Baptist.

Volumes in the series are known for their accessible explanations of the biblical text and for their helpfulness to expository preachers. [1] Lay Christians enjoy them as devotional aides and as Bible study resources.

preaching the word commentary
Current Preaching the Word cover design; revised volumes use the ESV translation

The Series Editor, R. Kent Hughes, was the pastor of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, for 27 years. Since 2015 he has been a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary. [2]

Hughes authored the first commentaries in this series in 1989 and has contributed more than 10 volumes to date.

Which commentary series is best for your purposes? See Best Bible Commentaries: Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.

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Currently, there are 36 volumes in the Preaching the Word series covering 41 books of the Bible. There are projected to be 50 volumes when the series is complete.

Preaching the Word commentaries are not technical making them easy to understand for readers who do not have training in the original languages of Scripture.

preaching the word commentary series
Previous Preaching the Word cover design; original volumes use the NIV translation

Authors approach the text passage-by-passage, but they also take time to discuss individual verses, and even single words, when they are important to understanding the message of the biblical writer.

The authors in the Preaching the Word series have themselves preached through the books they are writing about, so the expositional insights come from firsthand experience in the pulpit. [3]

Please see how the Preaching the Word series compares to dozens of other commentary series on the Bible Commentaries Comparison Chart.

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Preaching the Word Commentaries: Reviews

Theologian D.A. Carson writes,

“There is a long history of informed, edifying biblical expositions that have been mightily used of God to shape and strengthen the church. These volumes admirably fit this tradition.”

While Carson and others have praised the series as a whole, a few volumes have been especially well-reviewed.

Hughes’ Mark volumes is considered one of the best Mark commentaries, having received the ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award for best commentary in 1990.

Philip Graham Ryken’s Exodus volume is another example, as its often rated as one of the best Exodus commentaries.

Robert W. Yarbrough, Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary, praised Douglas Sean O’Donnell’s Matthew volume as one of the best Matthew commentaries:

“This commentary grows out of wide reading and solid learning—the footnotes alone are a gold mine. O’Donnell writes with a zest for real life, wit, and (controlled) whimsy. The outcome: sermons that both revel in Christ and reveal Christ in fresh and striking ways.

The author proves to be a hard-working and natural expositor of Scripture. This book goes to the top of my list of sterling homiletical commentaries on the first Gospel.”

Interviews from the PtW series on Best Bible Commentaries

Philip Graham Ryken: I was pleased to conduct a question-and-answer interview with Philip Graham Ryken on his Exodus volume. Please follow this link to read the full Q & A: Exodus – Philip Graham Ryken:

Preview: I also saw Jesus in fresh ways through the furniture of the tabernacle: my Savior is the sacrifice on the altar for my sins, the basin for my cleansing, the bread on the table, the lampstand for the world.

Douglas Sean O’Donnell: I was pleased to conduct a question-and-answer interview with Pastor O’Donnell. Please follow this link to read the full Q & A: Matthew – Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Preview of Q&A: As a pastor and scholar, my goal is to demonstrate and declare, in Peter’s language, the “excellencies” of Christ (1 Peter 2:9). With every section of Matthew’s Gospel, I encountered the incarnate and resurrected Jesus. I was taken aback. Reformed. Renewed. Edified. Encouraged. Stunned. Changed. Face down in adoration.

New Testament Volumes

The links below go to Amazon using each book’s exact ISBN.

The Sermon on the Mount: The Message of the Kingdom – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 2001

Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth – Douglas Sean O’Donnell | Published: 2013

Mark: Jesus, Servant and Savior Vols. 1 and 2 – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1989

Luke: That You May Know the Truth, Vol. 1 – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1998

Luke: That You May Know the Truth, Vol. 2 – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1998

John: That You May Believe – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1999

Acts: The Church Afire – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1996

Romans: Righteousness From Heaven – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1991

1 Corinthians: The Word of the Cross – Stephen T. Um | Published: 2015

2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 2006

Galatians: Gospel-rooted Living – Todd A. Wilson | Published: 2013

Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1990

Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 2007

Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1989

1 & 2 Thessalonians: The Hope of Salvation – James H. Grant Jr. | Published: 2011

1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit – R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell | Published: 2000

Hebrews: An Anchor for the Soul Vols. 1 and 2 – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1993

James: Faith That Works – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 1991

1 & 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings – David Helm | Published: 2008

1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family – David L. Allen | Published: 2013

Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches – James M. Hamilton Jr. | Published: 2012

Old Testament Volumes

Genesis: Beginning and Blessing – R. Kent Hughes | Published: 2004

Exodus: Saved for God’s Glory – Philip Graham Ryken | Published: 2005

Leviticus: Holy God, Holy People – Kenneth A. Mathews | Published: 2009

Numbers: God’s Presence in the Wilderness – Iain M. Duguid | Published: 2006

Deuteronomy: Loving Obedience to a Loving God – Ajith Fernando | Published: 2012

Joshua: People of God’s Purpose – David Jackman | Published: 2014

Judges and Ruth: God in Chaos – Barry Webb | Published: 2015

1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader – John Woodhouse | Published: 2002

2 Samuel: Your Kingdom Come – John Woodhouse | Published: 2015

Job: The Wisdom of the Cross – Christopher Ash | Published: 2014

The Psalms Volume 1, 1–41: Rejoice, the Lord Is King – James A. Johnston | Published: 2015

Proverbs: Wisdom that Works – Raymond C. Ortlund Jr. | Published: 2012

Ecclesiastes: Why Everything Matters – Philip Graham Ryken | Published: 2010

The Song of Solomon: An Invitation to Intimacy – Douglas Sean O’Donnell | Published: 2012

Isaiah: God Saves Sinners – Raymond C. Ortlund Jr. | Published: 2005

Jeremiah and Lamentations: From Sorrow to Hope – Philip Graham Ryken | Published: 2001

Daniel: The Triumph of God’s Kingdom – Rodney Stortz | Published: 2004


References

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/philippians-commentary-preaching-the-word-series/

http://www.preachingtheword.com/kenthughes.asp

https://www.preaching.com/book-reviews/new-commentary-series-from-crossway/

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