Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentaries is a modern reference collection that explains the meaning of Old and New Testament books.
The SHBC series is written for pastors, but professors, students, and lay persons will benefit from using these volumes as well.
Each volume also has an added feature that other commentaries don’t offer.
The publisher explains, “All volumes include these features to support interpretation: insightful sidebars in four categories, a wealth of fine art visuals, and a CD-ROM containing all the text and images of the volume in a searchable format.”
Which commentary series is best for your purposes? See Best Bible Commentaries: Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.
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Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentaries (SHBC): Reviews
Praise for the Mark volume:
“Alan Culpepper’s commentary on Mark is creative, innovative, and user-friendly. In short, it is outstanding. It belongs in the library of every pastor, student, and scholar. I recommend it highly.”
~ Craig A. Evans, Acadia Divinity College
Praise for the Matthew volume:
“The prolific Evangelical scholar Ben Witherington turns his attention here to the Gospel of Matthew in a substantial new commentary in the distinctive Smyth & Helwys series…Witherington’s commentary is well-informed and provides a clear and pastorally sensitive exposition of the text.”
~ Donald Senior, The Bible Today
Purpose of Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Series
This Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary collection is filled with pointed insights for pastors, teachers, and scholars. This series also contains helpful explanation that makes it accessible to a wide audience. In each volume, readers will find expert guidance that promotes theological reflection.
“Connections” are special sections that relate Biblical teaching to common theological questions from modern readers. Contributors base their instruction on current research in archaeology, critical scholarship, enlightening discussion of original languages, and include practical helps that facilitate living out the Christian life in community.
Volumes in Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Series
The links below go to Amazon, which sells new and used books. Also visit Christian Book Distributors’ SHBC commentaries page to compare prices.
Matthew by Ben Witherington III
Ben Witherington III is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. A graduate of UNC–Chapel Hill, he went on to receive the M.Div. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham, England. He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world and has written over thirty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top biblical studies works by Christianity Today.
R. Alan Culpepper holds degrees from Baylor University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Duke University. He is the founding dean of the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. Before coming to Mercer, Alan taught New Testament at Southern Baptist Theological seminary and at Baylor University.
An Alabama native, Richard B. Vinson was educated at Samford University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Duke University. He has served churches in Alabama, Nebraska, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia. Vinson taught at Averett University (Danville, Virginia), where he was dean of Arts and Sciences for five years, and at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, where he was dean of the faculty. Vinson currently is a visiting professor in the Department of Religion at Salem College (Winston-Salem, North Carolina).
J. Bradley Chance completed all of his post-secondary education in the Tar Heel state, receiving an AB, with a major in religion, from UNC-Chapel Hill (1975), an MDiv from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (1978), and a Ph.D. from Duke University, focusing on Christian Origins (1984).
Charles H. Talbert is Distinguished Professor of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He serves as editor of theReading the New Testament series and is author of Reading Luke, Reading John, Reading Acts, and Reading Corinthians in that series.
1 Corinthians by Robert Scott Nash
Robert Scott Nash is the Columbus Roberts Professor of New Testament in the Roberts Department of Christianity in the College of Liberal Arts of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Before that he was the Barney P. Averitt Professor of Religion and chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia.
2 Corinthians by Mitzi L. Minor
Mitzi L. Minor, a native Alabamian, graduated from Auburn University and attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, where she completed her MDiv and PhD in New Testament. After several years in parish ministry, she became chaplain and professor of religion at Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee.
Galatians by Marion L. Soards and Darrell J. Pursiful
Marion L. Soards is professor of New Testament Studies at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He earned a PhD from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where earlier he received an MPhil and an STM. He also has an MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a BA from Furman University.
Darrell J. Pursiful earned both a PhD and MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is senior editor of adult curriculum at Smyth & Helwys Publishing as well as an adjunct professor in the Roberts Department of Christianity at Mercer University. He has also served as a pastor of churches in Kentucky and Indiana.
Thomas B. Slater is professor of New Testament Language & Literature in Mercer University’s James & Carolyn McAfee School of Theology. Slater has published in leading scholarly journals around the globe, including Journal of Biblical Literature, New Testament Studies, and Biblica.
Philippians & Philemon by Todd D. Still
Todd D. Still is Associate Professor of Christian Scriptures (New Testament) at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. He earned his B.A. from Baylor University, M.Div. from South-western Baptist Theological Seminary, and Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow. Still is the author of Conflict at Thessalonica and of Colossians in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Revised Edition, the editor of Jesus and Paul Reconnected, and a co-editor of Image and Word and After the First Urban Christians. Still is also a licensed and ordained Baptist minister who frequently preaches, teaches, and serves as interim pastor in Baptist churches.
Nijay K. Gupta serves as Assistant Professor of New Testament at Northeastern Seminary (New York). He is the author of Worship That Makes Sense to Paul (Walter de Gruyter, 2010), Prepare, Succeed, Advance: A Guidebook for Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies and Beyond (Wipf & Stock, 2011), and he has published academic articles in periodicals such as The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, Horizons in Biblical Theology, Currents in Biblical Research, and Neotestamentica.
1 & 2 Thessalonians by Linda McKinnish Bridges
Linda McKinnish Bridges (Ph. D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate director for admissions and an adjunct professor of religion at Wake Forest University. She teaches in the Department of Religion of the College, The School of Divinity, and in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
1 & 2 Timothy–Titus by W. Hulitt Gloer
W. Hulitt Gloer is David E. Garland Professor of Preaching and Scriptures and Director of the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He is the author of As You Go: An Honest Look at Jesus’ First Disciples and Reading Paul’s Letters to Individuals: A Literary and Theological Commentary on Paul’s Letters to Philemon, Titus, and Timothy (with Perry L. Stepp).
Hebrews–James by Edgar V. McKnight and Christopher Church
Christopher Church serves as Professor of Philosophy & Religion at the Baptist College of Health Sciences (Memphis, TN) as well as Ethics Consultant for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he chairs the clinical Ethics Committee. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
1 & 2 Peter, Jude by Richard B. Vinson, Richard F. Wilson, and Watson E. Mills
Richard F. Wilson is the Columbus Roberts Professor of Theology and the Chair of the Roberts Department of Christianity in Mercer University’s College of Liberal Arts in Macon, Georgia. Since 1995 he has been active with the Baptist World Alliance; from 2010–2015 he will be the Chair of the BWA’s Commission on Christian Ethics. Currently he is committed to developing relationships between Ricks Institute, a K–12 boarding school near Monrovia, Liberia; Mercer University; and an array of private boarding schools and churches in the Southeast.
Watson E. Mills was professor of New Testament in the Roberts Department of Christianity in the College of Liberal Arts at Mercer University from 1979 to 2001. He was also the publisher for Mercer University Press; the editor for Perspectives in Religious Studies, Religious Studies Review, and the Bulletin of the Council of Societies for the Study of Religion; and the pastor of the Sharpsburg Baptist Church in Georgia. He was the general editor for the Mercer Dictionary of the Bible and the Mercer Commentary on the Bible and has written and edited numerous other books.
1, 2 & 3 John by Peter Rhea Jones
Peter Rhea Jones is the J. Truett Gannon Professor of Preaching and New Testament at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta. He was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee, and earned a BA in English (with a minor in religion) from Union University, an MA in English literature at the University of Mississippi, an MDiv and PhD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Revelation by Mitchell G. Reddish
Mitchell G. Reddish is professor and chair of Religious Studies at Stetson University, DeLand, Florida. His other works includeAn Introduction to the Bible, An Introduction to the Gospels, andApocalyptic Literature: A Reader.
The Lord’s Prayer by Nijay K. Gupta
Nijay K. Gupta serves as Associate Professor of New Testament at Portland Seminary of George Fox University. He is the author of four books including Colossians in the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series (2013) and 1–2 Thessalonians (Wipf & Stock, 2016). He has published several academic articles for leading biblical journals such as The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, and Neotestamentica. In 2016, he co-edited (with Kristian Bendoraitis) Matthew and Mark across Perspectives (Bloomsbury).
Genesis 1-25A – Kathleen M. O’Connor
Kathleen M. O’Connor is William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Emerita, at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. She holds a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary, an MA from Providence College, and a BA from the College of New Rochelle. She has taught frequently in local churches and community groups and given courses in Central America, Thailand, Japan, and Ireland.
Exodus 1–19 by William Johnstone
Exodus 20–40 by William Johnstone
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE is Emeritus Professor of Hebrew & Semitic Languages, University of Aberdeen, and an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland. He is a graduate in Divinity and in Hebrew and Arabic from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and studied at the University of Marburg, Germany. He participated in archaeological excavations at Ras Shamra/Ugarit in Syria and at Enkomi/Alasia in Cyprus and was epigraphist to the Marsala Punic Ship expedition, Sicily.
Leviticus–Numbers by Lloyd R. Bailey
Lloyd R. Bailey, Sr., is a retired Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Divinity School, Duke University and now serves as Barrow Professor of Religion at Mount Olive College and as Adjunct Professor of Religion at Methodist College. He is a United Methodist Clergyman, author of fifteen books, more than seventy articles in encyclopedias and journals, has numerous television appearances in documenteries on the Bible, and has served as President of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Mark E. Biddle is professor of Old Testament at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. His other publications include A Redaction History of Jeremiah 2:1-4:2(TVZ), Polyphony and Symphony: Rereading Jeremiah 7-20 (Mercer), numerous articles, and several translations.
Ruth & Esther by Kandy Queen-Sutherland
Kandy Queen-Sutherland is Sam R. Marks Professor of Religious Studies at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, where she has taught for the last 25 years. Previously, she taught at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, where she was Professor of Old Testament. She earned a BS from Winthrop College (1973) and MDiv and PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1976, 1982). She did post-doctoral work at the University of Zürich.
1 & 2 Samuel by Tony W. Cartledge
Tony Cartledge is Professor of Old Testament at Campbell University Divinity School. He is the author of 1 & 2 Samuel (Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series), Telling Stories: Tall Tales and Deep Truths, Sessions with Samuel: Stories from the Edge, and Intrigued, How I Love to Proclaim It: Adventures in Theological Thinking. He is co-author with Jan Rush of A Whole New World: Life After Bethany and Job: Into the Fire, Out of the Ashes (Smyth & Helwys Annual Bible Study).
1 & 2 Kings by Walter Brueggemann
Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheddeis Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.
Ezra-Nehemiah by Paul L. Redditt
PAUL L. REDDITT is Emeritus Professor of Religion at Georgetown College and taught part-time at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky. He earned his BA from Ouachita Baptist University (1963), MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1967), and MA and PhD from Vanderbilt University (1971, 1972).
Samuel Balentine is a highly regarded scholar who served on the faculty of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond for 10 years. Balentine joined the Union-PSCE faculty in September 2004. He is the author of four books, has edited or co-edited numerous books and scholarly journals, and has written nearly three dozen articles for significant journals in biblical studies.
Proverbs-Ecclesiastes by Milton P. Horne
Milton P. Horne is professor of religion at William Jewell College, where he has taught in the religion department since 1986. In addition to teaching, Horne provided the college with curricular leadership from 1995-2001 as Associate Dean for General Education, coordinating Jewell’s integrated, interdisciplinary “Responsible Self” general education curriculum.
Isaiah 1–39 by Patricia K. Tull
Patricia K. Tull is A. B. Rhodes Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. She is co-editor of As Those Who Are Taught: The Interpretation of Isaiah from the LXX to the SBL and author of Remember the Former Things: The Recollection of Previous Texts in Second Isaiah, as well as of other publications on Psalms, Ruth, Esther, 1–2 Samuel, Christian-Jewish relations, and scriptural interpretation. An ordained Presbyterian minister, she has served churches in Texas and Illinois, and continues to lead travelers to the Middle East and to preach and teach in a variety of venues.
Jeremiah by Terence E. Fretheim
Terence E. Fretheim is Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Luther College (BA, 1956), Luther Theological Seminary (BD, 1960), and Princeton Theological Seminary (PhD, 1967). He has taught at Augsburg College and Theological Seminary (1961–1963, 1967–1968) and Luther Seminary (1968–2013).
Margaret S. Odell is associate professor of religion at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. In her writing and teaching, she explores the way in which the writings of the Bible reflect a creative response to cultural and political crises in the ancient world.
Sharon Pace (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) specializes in the study of the Hebrew Bible as an Associate Professor in the Department of Theology at Marquette University. She is the winner of a NEH Humanities Summer Seminar fellowship and the Catholic Biblical Association’s Young Scholar Award.
The Book of the Twelve: Hosea–Jonah by James D. Nogalski
The Book of the Twelve: Micah–Malachi by James D. Nogalski
James D. Nogalski grew up in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. After graduating Samford University he completed a Master of Divinity degree at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, before traveling to Zürich, Switzerland, where he completed a Master of Theology in Old Testament at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Rüschlikon and his doctoral degree at the University of Zurich.