Reformed theology, which is sometimes called Covenant Theology or Calvinism, can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation, though it’s theological roots go back centuries. The term “Calvinism” comes from the name of French theologian and pastor, John Calvin (1509-1564).
The Reformed theological tradition champions biblical doctrines such as the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, as well as other orthodox Christian beliefs, like the Trinity. [1]
Sometimes Reformed teaching is summarized with the acronym, T.U.L.I.P.:
- T stands for Total Depravity
- U stands for Unconditional Election
- L stands for Limited Atonement
- I stands for Irresistible Grace
- P stands for Perseverance of the Saints [2]
Additionally, many Reformed teachers stress that Reformed theology is about more than just the five points of T.U.L.I.P. Summarizing the theology, Reformed pastor and teacher R.C. Sproul writes,
“Reformed theology so far transcends the mere five points of Calvinism that it is an entire life and world view. It is covenantal. It is sacramental. It is committed to transforming culture. It is subordinate to the operation of God the Holy Spirit, and it has a rich framework for understanding the entirety of the council of God revealed in the Bible.” [3]
Matthew Henry is a Reformed commentary that many people like. See Is Matthew Henry a Good Commentary? to learn more.
Reformed commentaries
Reformed bible commentaries interpret Scripture through the lens of Reformed theology. The commentaries listed below reflect a Reformed theological perspective of New Testament books. You may also be interested in seeing 100 Reformed Commentaries: Old Testament Volumes.
Please note: one-volume, whole-bible commentaries that reflect Reformed theology can be found at the bottom of the page.
Reformed Commentaries on the Gospels and Acts
Among the highly acclaimed commentaries in this section is David G. Peterson’s Acts volume in the Pillar New Testament Commentary series, which is considered one of the best Acts commentaries, Reformed or otherwise. Dr. Peterson kindly participated in a Q & A on this volume with Best Bible commentaries, which can be read in full here.
| Biblical Book | Commentary Series | Commentary Author | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew | Reformed Expository Commentary | Daniel Doriani | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Matthew | Preaching the Word | Douglas Sean O’Donnell | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Matthew | Mentor Commentary | Knox Chamblin | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Matthew | New Testament Commentary, i.e. “Hendricksen” | William Hendricksen | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Matthew | Focus on the Bible | Charles Price | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Matthew | Crossway Classics | J.C. Ryle | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Mark | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Mark | Focus on the Bible | Geoffrey Grogan | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Mark | Crossway Classics | J.C. Ryle | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Luke | New International Commentary on the NT | Norval Geldenhuys | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Luke | Reformed Expository Commentary | Phillip Graham Ryken | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Luke | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Luke | Crossway Classics | J.C. Ryle | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| John | New Testament Commentary, i.e. “Hendricksen” | William Hendricksen | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| John | Reformed Expository Commentary | Richard Phillips | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| John | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| John | Evangelical Press | Gordon Keddie | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| John | Calvin Commentaries | John Calvin | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | Pillar New Testament Commentary | David G. Peterson | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | Reformed Expository Commentary | Derek Thomas | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | Focus on the Bible | Bruce Milne | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts Ch. 1-12 | God’s Word For You | Albert Mohler | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts Ch. 13-28 | God’s Word For You | Albert Mohler | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | Crossway Classics | John Calvin | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | New Testament Commentary | Simon Kistenmaker | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | IVP New Testament Commentary | William Larkin | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Acts | Word Biblical Commentary | Steve Walton | upcoming |
Interested in different kinds of Bible commentaries? See 100 Arminian New Testament commentaries for more.
Reformed Commentaries on the Writings of Paul
Among the best-reviewed recent releases in this section is Frank Thielman’s Romans volume in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series, which is already considered one of the best Romans commentaries. Dr. Thielman kindly participated in a Q & A on this volume with Best Bible commentaries, which can be read here.
| Biblical Book | Commentary Series | Commentary Author | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romans | Pillar New Testament Commentary | Colin Kruse | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | New International Commentary on the NT | Douglas Moo | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Bible Speaks Today | John Stott | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the NT | Frank Thielman | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Baker Exegetical Commentary on the NT | Thomas Schreiner | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Boice Commentaries | James Montgomery Boice | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Expository Bible Commentary (revised) | Harrison/ Hagner | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | New International Commentary on the NT | John Murray | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Lloyd-Jones Commentaries | Martyn Lloyd-Jones | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Lectio Continua | J.V. Fesko | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Focus on the Bible | Paul Barnett | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans Ch. 1-7 | God’s Word For You | Tim Keller | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans Ch. 8-16 | God’s Word For You | Tim Keller | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Romans | Crossway Classics | Charles Hodge | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1 Corinthians | New Testament Commentary | Simon Kistenmaker | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1 Corinthians | Evangelical Press | Peter Naylor | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1 Corinthians | Preaching the Word | Stephen Um | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1 Corinthians | Lectio Continua | Kim Riddlebarger | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1 Corinthians | Focus on the Bible | Paul Barnett | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 2 Corinthians | Bible Speaks Today | Paul Barnett | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 2 Corinthians | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 2 Corinthians | Focus on the Bible | Geofferey Grogan | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 2 Corinthians | Evangelical Press | Peter Naylor | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the NT | Thomas Schreiner | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | New American Commentary | Timothy George | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | Mentor Commentary | David McWilliams | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | Reformed Expository Commentary | Phillip Graham Ryken | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | Preaching the Word | Todd Wilson | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | Lectio Continua | J.V. Fesko | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | Focus on the Bible | Joseph Pipa | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Galatians | Evangelical Press | Peter Barnes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Ephesians | Evangelical Press | Harry Uprichard | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Ephesians | Reformed Expository Commentary | Bryan Chapell | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Ephesians | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Ephesians | Lectio Continua | Ian Hamilton | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Ephesians | Focus on the Bible | Paul Gardner | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Philippians | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Philippians | Mentor Commentary | Matthew Harmon | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Philippians | Focus on the Bible | Hywel Jones | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Philippians | Reformed Expository Commentary | Dennis Johnson | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Colossians | Tyndale NT Commentary | Herbert Carson | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Colossians/ Philemon | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Colossians/ Philemon | Focus on the Bible | John Woodhouse | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Thessalonians | Preaching the Word | James Grant | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Thessalonians | New Testament Commentary | William Hendricksen | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Thessalonians | Reformed Expository Commentary | Richard Phillips | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Thessalonians | Focus on the Bible | Richard Mayhue | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Thessalonians | Evangelical Press | Robert Cara | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Timothy/ Titus | New Testament Commentary | William Hendricksen | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Timothy/ Titus | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Interested in different kinds of Bible commentaries? See 100 Arminian Old Testament commentaries for more.
Reformed Commentaries on the General Epistles
The Lectio Continua series is a relatively new expository commentary series. To learn more about the series, as well as the Hebrews volume, please see this Q & A with author and pastor David McWilliams.
| Biblical Book | Commentary Series | Commentary Author | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hebrews | stand alone | Philip Edgcumbe Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Hebrews | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Hebrews | Lectio Continua | David McWilliams | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Hebrews | Crossway Classics | John Owen | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Hebrews | Reformed Expository Commentary | Richard Phillips | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Hebrews | Focus on the Bible | Walter Riggans | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| James | Baker Exegetical Commentary on the NT | Dan McCartney | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| James | Reformed Expository Commentary | Daniel Doriani | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| James | Preaching the Word | R. Kent Hughes | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| James | Focus on the Bible | Ellenburg/ Morgan | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1 Peter | Reformed Expository Commentary | Daniel Doriani | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Peter/ Jude | New American Commentary | Thomas Schreiner | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Peter/ Jude | Preaching the Word | David Helm | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Peter/ Jude | Focus on the Bible | Derek Cleave | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 2 Peter/ Jude | Focus on the Bible | Paul Gardner | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Reformed Commentaries on the Letters of John and Revelation
Richard Phillips wrote the Revelation volume in the award-winning Reformed Expository Commentary series. Dr. Phillips kindly participated in a Q & A with Best Bible Commentaries, which can be read here.
| Biblical Book | Commentary Series | Commentary Author | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 John | Preaching the Word | David Allen | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-3 John | Focus on the Bible | Michael Eaton | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| 1-3 John | Reformed Expository Commentary | Douglas Sean O’Donnell | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Revelation | Preaching the Word | James Hamilton | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Revelation | Reformed Expository Commentary | Richard Phillips | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Revelation | Focus on the Bible | Paul Gardner | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Revelation | Crossway Classics | Matthew Henry | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Interested in different kinds of Bible commentaries? See Baptist Bible Commentaries for 100 recommendations.
One-Volume Whole Bible Reformed Commentaries
| Title | Author | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown | Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| The MacArthur Commentary | John MacArthur | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Matthew Henry’s Commentary | Matthew Henry | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Also see:
Best Reformed Old Testament Commentaries
