With so many Bible commentary series available today, many people want to know which ones are best. There is a wide variety of commentary series today because readers have various purposes for using these books.
Some are written for pastors and preachers, others for professors and scholars, and others for lay people. Some series even attempt to be helpful to all simultaneously.
Can Bible Commentary Series Be Ranked?
It would help many readers to hear the answer to the question, “Which commentary series’ are best?” The challenge of answering that question with complete objectivity is significant.
As mentioned above, commentaries have different purposes and approaches; in some cases, they can be unique. Readers also have these characteristics.
Consider that it wouldn’t be helpful to rank a technical commentary over a devotional one if the reader’s purpose is devotional. Likewise, it wouldn’t be helpful to rank a historical commentary over a theological one if the reader needs theological insight. But what if there was another way to organize them?
Also, see the Best One-Volume Whole Bible Commentaries for more.
Commentary Series: Tiers
Below I have organized 50 different commentaries series into five tiers of 10. These facts underlie their arrangement:
- Each tier of 10 is arranged alphabetically rather than a strict 1-10 listing.
- Each tier contains a combination of authors who take different approaches to the biblical text and have different focuses, such as exegetical, theological, and historical.
- The factors determining placement are aggregate reviews, enduring usefulness to readers, and the recommendations of pastors, professors, and laypeople.
I used the information I collated to list the best Old Testament commentaries and the best New Testament commentaries by the individual book.
Is the tiered approach perfect? No! Each reader should use the information below as a starting point, not take it as the final word on the topic. A tiered approach reduces subjectivity, but it doesn’t eliminate it.
Tier One: Book Series #1-10
The commentary series in the first tier contain multiple well-reviewed volumes that are considered among the very best for the particular book of the Bible that they cover. The series are, on the whole, consistently helpful and theologically sound.
| Series Title | Why Tier One? |
|---|---|
| Baker Exegetical Commentaries on the New Testament  | The BECNT commentary series has well-reviewed volumes by evangelical authors who explain the Greek text in helpful ways to pastors and professors. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Expositor’s Bible Commentaries Revised  | The EBCR series contains mid-level commentaries covering the entire Bible with several highly-praised volumes. The 2007 revision of the series helped draw more attention to this classic set. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| New American Commentaries  | The NAC series employs authors from the Baptist tradition. Many volumes, which are mid-level, are well-reviewed by Baptists and non-Baptists. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| New International Commentaries on the Old/New Testament  | The NICOT and NICNT series may be the most praised mid-level series based on aggregate reviews. It’s been a go-to series for pastors for decades. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| New International Greek Testament Commentaries  | The NIGTC series is technical and moderately critical. Authors generally support orthodox theological conclusions. Pastors seeking technical insight like this series. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| NIV Application Commentaries  | The NIVAC series is likely the most popular today because it explains and applies Scripture. Volumes are mid-level, affordable, well-reviewed, and a staple for pastors. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Pillar New Testament Commentaries  | The PNTC series contains many acclaimed volumes praised for their mid-level exegesis and theology. It’s incomplete (e.g., Revelation) but has built a well-deserved reputation over the last 40 years. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Tyndale Old/New Testament Commentaries  | TOTC and TNTC commentaries are mid-level, accessible, affordable, and theologically sound. Most volumes are helpful to readers with various purposes, from preachers to Bible study leaders. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Word Biblical Commentaries  | There is no debating the greatness of specific WBC volumes. However, using a variety of authors means approaches to the Bible vary widely from one volume to another. Mid-level. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Zondervan Exegetical Commentaries on the New Testament  | Commentaries in the ZECOT and ZECNT series have the most helpful layout of any series today. The authors are conservative. The target audience is pastors. The series is mid-level. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
Also, see the Best Commentary on Each Book of the Bible for more.
Tier Two: Book Series #11-20
The commentary series in tier two vary. Some have been around for years but contain fewer well-reviewed volumes. Others are newer, and though the volumes that have been released so far have been well-received, their collective body of work is less.
| Series Title | Why Tier Two? |
|---|---|
| Anchor Yale Commentaries  | Authors in this series employ various critical approaches to the text. Certain volumes are well-reviewed for the biblical book they cover. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Baker Commentaries on the OT: Wisdom and Psalms  | The BCOTWP series is helpful to pastors and professors. Users praise volumes for their exegesis, theology, and literary insight. If the series covers more books with the same quality, it may be top-tier. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Bible Speaks Today  | John Stott’s volumes elevate this series. Volumes are well-reviewed by lay readers as devotional aids and helpful to pastors as an introductory resource for preaching. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Hermeneia Commentaries  | Hermeneia commentaries contain technical analysis for those seeking insight into the original languages. Authors take a variety of critical approaches to the text. Volumes are expensive. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Interpretation Commentaries  | Interpretation commentaries are mid-level, theologically focused, affordable, pastor-friendly, and mildly critical. They aim to help preachers and teachers. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| IVP New Testament Commentaries  | The IVPNTC series is mid-level and designed for pastors. It’s evangelical. The paperbacks are relatively affordable. Like the NIVAC, it includes application help. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| J. Vernon McGee Commentaries  | These commentaries have little depth compared to others on this list. They have lots of illustrations. McGee’s radio ministry helped raise awareness of these introductory volumes. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Old/New Testament Library Commentaries  | OLT and NLT volumes contain some exegesis. They focus on the literature and theology of biblical books. Some NT volumes are well-reviewed. Some OT contributions boost the series as a whole. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Reformed Expository Commentaries  | REC volumes record some of the best Reformed preaching today. Easy-to-understand theology make the biblical text clear and relevant to pastors and lay readers. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Zondervan Illustrated Bible Commentaries  | No other series provides readers with the quality and quantity of pictures, charts, maps, and other illustrations that these volumes provide. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
Also, see the Best Revelation commentaries to learn more.
Tier Three: Book Series #21-30
Most of the series in tier three are narrowly focused by design and therefore have limited audiences. This characteristic means their readership is not as widespread as other series with broad appeal.
| Series Title | Why Tier Three? |
|---|---|
| Ancient Christian Commentaries  | This series preserves, simplifies, and organizes biblical commentary from early church fathers so that modern readers can benefit from their faith, insight, and explanations. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Apollos Old Testament Commentaries  | The volumes released so far in the AOTC series are high-quality, mid-level, and mildly critical. They are mid-level. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Evangelical Exegetical Commentaries  | The EEC series is relatively new and may rise to a higher tier over time. Volumes contain refined exegesis with theological insight. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Focus on the Bible  | The FOB is an introductory series. Many volumes offer devotional reflections from a moderately Reformed view. The series is helpful to lay people and pastors. The authors include application help. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| God’s Word For You  | The GWFY series benefits from the contributions of pastor Tim Keller. Yet, other authors contribute helpful introductory volumes. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| John MacArthur Commentaries  | Most sections of this series read like sermons. He is controversial to some, so tier three seems fitting, but those devoted to his teaching will surely place it higher. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Mentor Commentaries  | Mentor commentaries are pastor-friendly and mid-level. They utilize Reformed authors. The series may climb to a higher tier if the quality of future volumes remains high. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Preaching the Word  | This series requires authors to have preached expository sermons through the biblical book they are commenting on. Some volumes are large, but they are still reasonably priced. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Socio- Rhetorical Commentaries  | The SRBC is the product of Arminian scholar Ben Witherington. The socio-rhetorical approach is brilliantly executed for books such as Acts. The narrow focus limits the series. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Understanding the Bible Commentaries  | Formerly known as the New International Biblical Commentary series, the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series contains some well-reviewed volumes. Others miss the mark. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
Also, see Best Romans commentaries to learn more.
Tier Four: Book Series #31-40
Some of the series in tier four are solid yet young, and they may, in time, rise higher in this assessment as more people review and use them. Others have audiences of devoted readers, but those audiences are small relative to all those who read commentaries.
| Series Title | Why Tier Four? |
|---|---|
| Christ- Centered Expository Commentaries  | The Christ-Centered Expositional Commentary series is great for Bible studies. Volumes lack sufficient depth for some pastors. The series’ approach is helpful with Old Testament volumes. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Concordia Commentaries  | Concordia volumes are of excellent quality, and the commentary in each volume is thorough. It’s a product of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The authors are evangelical and affirm inerrancy. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| For Everyone  | The For Everyone series is introductory. The paperbacks are very affordable. They explain the basics well. The lack of depth may prevent widespread use by pastors. OT volumes can be mildly critical. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| International Critical Commentaries  | The abridged paperback editions of this series have made its volumes affordable to more people than when these technical commentaries were only available in hardbacks that often exceeded $120 new. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| JPS Torah Commentaries  | This series covers the first five books of the Bible. Volumes are mildly critical. They will be maximized by those who know Hebrew. Volumes read from right to left. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Keil- Delitzsch Commentaries  | Keil-Delitzsch is an enduring Old Testament series whose conservative commentary comes from the Hebrew text. It is still helpful to pastors and affordable, with used sets often found for under $100 on secondary markets. See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Living Insights (Swindoll)  | These New Testament volumes are a favorite for those who love the teaching of pastor Charles Swindoll. They are introductory and may benefit lay people more than other audiences. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| New Cambridge Bible Commentaries  | The NCBC series is mid-level and has a chance to climb to a higher tier as more volumes are released. Some volumes are very well reviewed. Authors are diverse and include Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant scholars. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| New Interpreter’s Bible Commentaries  | The NIBC series covers all 66 books of the Bible. Its friendly layout makes it easy to wade through the mid-level, sometimes mildly critical, explanations of the biblical text. The publisher and author are Arminian. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Story of God Bible Commentaries  | The SGBC series focuses on the “grand story” of the Bible and how individual books fit into it. Time will tell if readers believe this approach is helpful. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
Also, see Best John commentaries to learn more.
Tier Five: Book Series #41-50
The series in tier five are certainly worthy of consideration, but for different reasons do not have a wide readership today.
| Series Title | Why Tier Five? |
|---|---|
| Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation  | The BTCP series is now the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC). If it continues to produce quality volumes, it could rise higher as a valuable resource for pastors. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Black’s New Testament Commentaries  | Many volumes in the BNTC series are now dated, but some have endured. Its audience leans more toward scholars than pastors. The series’ approach is mildly critical. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Boice Expositional Commentaries  | BEC volumes read like sermons. They come from the ministry of Reformed pastor James Montgomery Boice. These slim paperbacks can be used as devotional aids. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Brazos Theological Commentaries  | The Brazos series uses systematic theologians to write commentaries. Reviews have been mixed for these paperbacks that cost the same as many hardback commentaries. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Continental Commentaries  | Continental Commentaries offer advanced, refined exegesis via English translations of German volumes. They may not prove to be practical for many readers other than scholars. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Crossway Classics Commentaries  | This series consists of abridged commentaries from Reformed writers from previous centuries. The publisher chose to use the NIV in these volumes, which has resulted in mixed reviews. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Gospel According to the Old Testament Commentaries  | This series consists of thin affordable paperbacks that offer readers Christ-centered insight into Old Testament books with devotional and theological applications. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Holman Old/New Commentaries  | The Holman series is introductory. These hardbacks help pastors with overviews and sermon layouts. They lack exegetical, theological, and historical depth. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| International Theological Commentaries  | The ITC series values theological diversity in authors, which results in inconsistent conclusions. These mildly critical paperbacks don’t have a broad audience. A few volumes have positive reviews. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Kregel Exegetical Commentaries  | The KEC series consists of mid-level hardbacks. It could rise to higher tiers if the quality of new releases is high. The first volumes offer theological insight into the text. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Teach the Text  | Some volumes in the series have received good reviews, but limiting the space for authors on passages proved challenging. The series is now discontinued. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
| Two Horizons Commentaries  | The TH series, whose volumes blend biblical studies with theological studies, produced some helpful volumes. It’s now discontinued. See on Amazon using exact ISBN See on Christianbook using exact ISBN |
Also, see Best Matthew commentaries to learn more.
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