Cheap But Good Commentaries

Bible Study Tools Part 9

Bible Study Tools: Part 9

Building a library of helpful Bible study resources can cost a lot of money, and most of us have a limited budget. The good news is that there are many Bible commentaries for sale for ten dollars or less. The bad news is that most of these books offer little or no help. And some will even lead you astray.

There is, however, some wheat mingled with the chaff. Below is a list of commentaries that are both helpful and biblically sound. And (as of April, 2017), all are available online for less than ten dollars (new and used), and some sell for as little as a dollar.

Some names will appear again and again. The Tyndale series, for example, shows up in dozens of places, as does the Bible Speaks Today. Most of the volumes in these series are introductory and focus on explanation and application. A few of the recommendations are expensive commentaries that I found online recently for ten dollars or less (for example, Ben Witherington’s, 1 & 2 Thessalonians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary). These deals come and go, so get in the habit of visiting used book stores, garage sales, and your favorite online shopping places. You may be amazed at the bargains out there.

The list below is in no particular order. Purchase any of these books when you find them for a good deal. And most can be previewed online at Amazon, Google, etc.

Happy hunting!

Genesis

D. Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.
D. Atkinson. J. Baldwin, Bible Speaks Today (BST), 2 volumes, IVP.

Exodus

J.A. Motyer, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
T.E. Fretheim, Interpretation (INT), Westminister John Knox Press.
R.A. Cole, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

J.J. Davis, Moses and the Gods of Egypt: Studies in Exodus, Baker.

Leviticus

D. Tidball, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
J. Phillip, The Preacher’s Commentary (TPC), Nelson.

Numbers

G. Wenham, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.
J. Phillip, The Preacher’s Commentary (TPC), Nelson.

Deuteronomy

C. Wright, Understanding the Bible Old Testament (UBOT), Hendrickson.
J.A. Thompson, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

Joshua

R.S. Hess, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.
D.R. Davis, Focus on the Bible (FB), Christian Focus.

Judges

D.R. Davis, Focus on the Bible (FB), Christian Focus.

M. Wilcock, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
A.I. Cundall, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Judges/Ruth (TOTC), IVP.

Ruth

I.M. Diguid, Reformed Expository Commentary, Ruth/Esther (REC), Presbyterian and Reformed.
B. Webb, Five Festal Garments (Ruth/Esther/Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs/Lamentations), New Studies in Biblical Theology, (NSBT), IVP Academic.

L. Morris, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Judges/Ruth (TOTC), IVP.
D. Atkinson, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

1 & 2 Samuel

D.R. Davis, Focus on the Bible (FB), Christian Focus.

J. Baldwin, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

1 & 2 Kings

I. Provan, Understanding the Bible Old Testament (UBOT), Hendrickson.

D.R. Davis, Focus on the Bible, two volumes (FB), Christian Focus.
D.J. Wiseman, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

1 & 2 Chronicles

M. Selman, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), 2 volumes, IVP.

M. Wilcock, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
J.G. McConville, Daily Study Bible (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Ezra & Nehemiah

D. Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

J.G. McConville, Daily Study Bible, Ezra/Nehemiah/Esther (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Esther

I.M. Diguid, Reformed Expository Commentary, Ruth/Esther (REC), Presbyterian and Reformed.

B. Webb, Five Festal Garments (Ruth/Esther/Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs/Lamentations), New Studies in Biblical Theology, (NSBT), IVP Academic.
J. Baldwin, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

Job

F. Anderson, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.
D. Atkinson, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

Psalms

D. Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), 2 volumes, IVP.
M. Wilcock, Bible Speaks Today (BST), 2 volumes, IVP.

Proverbs

D. Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.
D.A. Hubbard, The Preacher’s Commentary (TPC), Nelson.

Ecclesiastes

M.A. Eaton, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.
D. Kidner, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
D.A. Hubbard, The Preacher’s Commentary, Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs (TPC), Nelson.

B. Webb, Five Festal Garments (Ruth/Esther/Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs/Lamentations), New Studies in Biblical Theology, (NSBT), IVP Academic.

Song of Songs

T. Gledhill, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

B. Webb, Five Festal Garments (Ruth/Esther/Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs/Lamentations), New Studies in Biblical Theology, (NSBT), IVP Academic.

G.L. Carr, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

Isaiah

B. Webb, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP
J.A. Motyer, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

Jeremiah

R.K. Harrison, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Jeremiah/Lamentations (TOTC), IVP.

D. Kidner, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
Tremper Longman, Understanding the Bible Old Testament, Jeremiah/Lamentations (UBOT), Hendrickson.

Lamentations

R.K. Harrison, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Jeremiah/Lamentations (TOTC), IVP.
B. Webb, Five Festal Garments (Ruth/Esther/Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs/Lamentations), New Studies in Biblical Theology, (NSBT), IVP Academic.
Tremper Longman, Understanding the Bible Old Testament, Jeremiah/Lamentations (UBOT), Hendrickson.

Ezekiel

D. Stuart, The Preachers Commentary (TPC), Nelson.

C. Wright, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

Daniel

J. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation, Moody.
J. Baldwin, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.

Hosea

D. Kidner, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
D. Hubbard, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Hosea/Joel/Amos/Obadiah/Jonah (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Joel

D. Hubbard, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Joel/Amos (TOTC), IVP.
D. Prior, Bible Speaks Today, Joel/Micah/Habakkuk (BST), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Hosea/Joel/Amos/Obadiah/Jonah (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Amos

D. Hubbard, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Joel/Amos (TOTC), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Hosea/Joel/Amos/Obadiah/Jonah (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.
J.A. Motyer, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

Obadiah

D.W. Baker, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Obadiah/Jonah/Micah (TOTC), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Hosea/Joel/Amos/Obadiah/Jonah (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Jonah

T.D. Alexander, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Obadiah/Jonah/Micah (TOTC), IVP.
S.B. Ferguson, Man Overboard!: The Story of Jonah, Banner of Truth.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Hosea/Joel/Amos/Obadiah/Jonah (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.
R. Nixon, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

Micah

B. Waltke, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Obadiah/Jonah/Micah (TOTC), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Micah/Nahum/Habakkuk/Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.
D. Prior, Bible Speaks Today, Joel/Micah/Habakkuk (BST), IVP.

Nahum

P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Micah/Nahum/Habakkuk/Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Habakkuk

D. Prior, Bible Speaks Today, Joel/Micah/Habakkuk (BST), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Micah/Nahum/Habakkuk/Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Zephaniah

P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Micah/Nahum/Habakkuk/Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Haggai

J. Baldwin, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (TOTC), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Micah/Nahum/Habakkuk/Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Zechariah

B. Webb, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
J. Baldwin, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (TOTC), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Micah/Nahum/Habakkuk/Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Malachi

J. Baldwin, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (TOTC), IVP.
A.E. Hill, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (TOTC), IVP.
P. Craigie, Daily Study Bible, Micah/Nahum/Habakkuk/Zephaniah/Haggai/Zechariah/Malachi (DSB), Westminister John Knox Press.

Matthew

D.A. Carson, God with Us: Themes from Matthew, Wipf & Stock.
R.H. Mounce, Understanding the Bible New Testament (UBNT), Hendrickson.
M. Green, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
C.S. Keener, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.

Mark

R.A. Cole, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
R.K. Hughes, Preaching the Word (PtW), Crossway.
M.D. Hooker, Black’s New Testament Commentary (BNTC), Hendrickson.

Luke

L. Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
D. Bock, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.
N.T. Wright, Luke For Everyone, SPCK Publishing.

John

C.G. Kruse, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
W. Hendrikson, New Testament Commentary Exposition of the Gospel According to John, Baker Academic.
L. Newbigin, The Light Has Come: An Exposition of the Fourth Gospel, Eerdmans.
B. Milne, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

Acts

J. Stott, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
I.H. Marshall, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
W.J. Larkin, Jr., IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.

Romans

J. Stott, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
J.R. Edwards, Understanding the Bible New Testament (UBNT), Hendrickson.
R.K. Hughes, Preaching the Word (PtW), Crossway.

1 Corinthians

L. Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
A.F. Johnson, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.
D. Prior, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

2 Corinthians

L. Belleville, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.
R.K. Hughes, Preaching the Word (PtW), Crossway.
P. Barnett, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
C.G. Cruse, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.

Galatians

J. Stott, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

R.D. Cole, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
L.A. Jervis, Understanding the Bible New Testament (UBNT), Hendrickson.

Ephesians

F. Foulkes, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
J. Stott, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
W.L. Liefield, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.

Philippians

R.P. Martin, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
F.F. Bruce, Understanding the Bible New Testament (UBNT), Hendrickson.
J.A. Motyer, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
G.D. Fee, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.

Colossians/Philemon

N.T. Wright, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
R.C. Lucas, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
R.W. Wall, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.

1–2 Thessalonians

G.K. Beale, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC), IVP.

B. Witherington, 1 and 2 Thessalonians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, Eerdmans.
J. Stott, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

1–2 Timothy & Titus

J. Stott, Bible Speaks Today, 2 volumes (BST), IVP.
G. Fee, Understanding the Bible New Testament (UBNT), Hendrickson.
D. Guthrie, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.

Hebrews

R.E. Brown, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
D. Guthrie, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
H.R. Jones, Let’s Study Hebrews (LSS), Banner of Truth.
D.A. Hagner, Understanding the Bible New Testament (UBNT), Hendrickson.

James

J.A. Motyer, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.
D.J. Moo, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
P.H. Davids, Understanding the Bible New Testament (UBNT), Hendrickson.
D.M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (REC), Presbyterian and Reformed.

1 Peter

E. Clowney, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

I.H. Marshall, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVPNTC).

W. Grudem, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.

2 Peter & Jude

M. Green, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
R.C. Lucas, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.

1–3 John

J. Stott, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
F.F. Bruce, The Epistles of John:Introduction, Exposition, and Notes, Eerdmans.

Revelation

G.E. Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation of John, Eerdmans.
L. Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (TNTC), IVP.
M. Wilcock, Bible Speaks Today (BST), IVP.