Are You Using Commentaries Effectively?

As ministry leaders and Bible teachers, many of us use an assortment of resources to write a good lesson, talk, or sermon. Commentaries are one of the first resources we usually run to as they are available online, on our bookshelves, in our libraries, or on Bible resource software we have access to. But there are some good rules to follow when doing so. Here are five factors to consider as you study Scripture with commentaries.

1. Study Scripture first without your commentary.

Commentaries are helpful resources, no doubt, but unless you try to study Scripture first without your commentary, you won’t know how your audience will encounter the passage as they read and study it for themselves, usually without commentaries. Studying the passage first will allow you to see the difficult words or ideas that your audience might encounter. It also will help you be a better studier of the Word as you try to study, making observations about repetitions, parallels, or contrasts in the terms or phrases found in Scripture. Use commentaries to enhance your study, not just as your study.

2. Choose a trusted commentary.

Nowadays, commentaries are abundant, and many are accessible online from ancient ones to new ones written this very year. Be selective by asking those you trust spiritually what commentaries they use and prefer. Some may line up with your spiritual background and others may not. Some may be too antiquated and have old-fashioned points of view on applications. Some may be self-published and have their own agendas. Use a reputable source that many turn to, especially the other leaders and pastors in your church. Don’t just pick a random commentary just because it was free and the first one you found online.

Several ongoing Bible studies from Lifeway offer commentaries as a supplemental resource to the weekly curriculum. Beginning in the fall of 2024, The Gospel Project for Adults will have a commentary available for purchase each quarter. Using commentaries specifically designed as supplements to the Bible study curriculum your church uses is a great place to start when seeking trustworthy commentaries.

3. Use more than one commentary.

Read more than one commentary when you can to attain varying perspectives or points of view. Some commentaries may have different opinions on a passage or see a different main point, especially with more controversial passages. Some will go deeper on the intricacies of culture or words. While others will go deeper on applications for today. Sometimes we need both, so we need to look at more than one commentary. Using more than one commentary will add to your knowledge-base and help you have a wider perspective to glean from. But don’t fall into the trap of wanting to read as many as you can. Time is precious for a ministry leader. If choosing reputable sources, using 2-4 should be sufficient. Don’t overwhelm yourself with the plethora of resources out there, but don’t be a lazy studier either. Find a good balance for yourself.

4. Gather information from commentaries with discernment, having the freedom to disagree.

Commentaries are just that: commentaries—thoughts from theologians and those who have gone before us with much more time to study the nuances of ancient culture and history and languages. But they are still human and are not all-knowing. Of course, we are not either. Read and gather information with discernment but if many commentators are saying the same thing, usually, it is safe to agree with. But if there are many who have differing opinions, usually on a periphery matter, you are free to mention that there are differing opinions or not focus on that issue if it’s not needed. Commentaries are not inspired by God so have room for disagreement. But certainly, they have valuable insight that you can get to quickly to attain an informed understanding of a passage.

5. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you study and form your lesson or talk.

Above all, let the Holy Spirit guide you as you prayerfully study through the passage you plan to talk or teach on. Commentaries are helpful resources to add to our knowledge base, but they cannot know who our audience is or how best to reach them toward action and transformation. As shepherds and teachers, we are studiers of the Word, but we are also studiers of our sheep, those we disciple. And the Holy Spirit works in us to allow us to reach them with the appropriate style and words and application points to stir their hearts more toward God, His kingdom, and His Word.