A one-volume commentary can serve as a great introduction to the in-depth study of any biblical text. Don't expect a lot of depth, however. For that, you have to go to the commentary sets or the commentaries devoted to only one or two biblical books. I have made comments here and there; they are all in this same navy color and bold.  —Steve

The Expositor's Bible Commentary 5.0 on CD-ROM
By Zondervan Corp.

This version contains the NIV, the NIV Exhaustive Concordance, and the 12-volume set of the award-winning Expositor's Bible Commentary, complete with its verse-by-verse insights, scholarly notes and practical insights. At the end of each section, technical questions and textual issues are addressed and Greek and Hebrew words are transliterated. This program is powered by Pradis which has intuitive interfacing and a powerful search feature.
The Pradis interface has these features:

• Footnotes automatically display with the appropriate commentary text.
• Search by lexical forms of Greek and Hebrew behind the NIV using the Exhaustive Concordance.
• In the Footnotes, choose how you want to view the Greek and Hebrew text (true, full or simple transliteration)
• Tabbed and tiled window panes keep everything in view
• Search assistant
• Note-taking and bookmarking for book, chapter, verse, topic, or subtopic
• customization options for text, background colors, font and point size

Believer's Bible Commentary
By William MacDonald / Thomas Nelson / W

Written to give "the average Christian reader a basic knowledge of what the Holy Bible is all about," the Believer's Bible Commentary is a one-volume commentary on the entire Bible based on the New King James Version (NKJV). Author William MacDonald has compiled an insightful and applicable commentary, with introductions, notes, and bibliographies for each book of the Bible. This commentary is both a verse-by-verse exposition (in the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes) and a paragraph-by-paragraph exposition (all other Old Testament books). Passages in the Old Testament which point toward Christ are given special attention.

Overview of the Believer's Bible Commentary:

• Theologically conservative (Evangelical)
• Based on the New King James Version (NKJV)
• A combination of verse-by-verse and paragraph-by-paragraphy exposition
• Numerous charts, maps, and illustrations
• Non-technical (no knowledge of Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic necessary)
• Geared toward the average Christian, but helpful to pastors and students as well
• Thorough and comprehensive, yet accessible

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete and Unabridged
By Matthew Henry / Hendrickson Publishers

Most one-volume editions of Matthew Henry's Commentary have been abridged or rewritten. This edition boasts the entire text of the original multi-volume commentary. Henry's succinct chapter summaries and helpful outlines are included; only the KJV text is omitted to save space. Roman numerals are changed to Arabic, and Greek and Hebrew words are transliterated. This commentary follows a a section-by-section format and is based on the KJV.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) has been known and loved for three centuries for his devotional commentary on the Bible. It has not been generally known that he was also a distinguished preacher. He began preaching at twenty-four years old and held pastorates until his death. The greatness of his sermons consists in their scriptural content, lucid presentation, practical application, and Christ-centeredness.

Keep in mind how old this commentary is. You won't find anything about developments in biblical studies in the last three centuries, which include significant contributions from archaeology, linguistics, literary criticism, systematic theology, etc. What you will find are spiritual insights, contextual analysis, and practical applications. This commentary is now available for free on the Internet (see my "Depths-Mind" section). —Steve

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
By Robert Jamieson / Hendrickson Publishers

Long considered one of the best conservative commentaries on the entire Bible, the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary offers practical insight from a Reformed Evangelical perspective. The comments are an insightful balance between learning and devotion, with an emphasis on allowing the text to speak for itself. Volume one covers Genesis through Esther, volume two covers Job through Malachi, and volume three covers the entire New Testament (Matthew through Revelation). Introductions are offered for the Pentateuch, the Mosaic account of creation, Hebrew poetry, and for each book in the Old Testament, as well as for the gospels, Acts, Romans, and the entire corpus of the epistles.

Overview of the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown:

• Theologically conservative (Reformed Evangelical)
• Uses the King James Version (KJV) or the Authorized Version (AV)
• Covers every book of the Bible
• A verse-by-verse commentary from the original languages
• Semi-technical (some knowledge of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic necessary to fully understand all of the comments

This commentary is now available for free on the Internet (see my "Depths-Mind" section). You may want to check it out before you buy. —Steve

The Teacher's Commentary
By Lawrence Richards / Cook Communications

Designed for teachers, both for adults and children, this commentary is broken up into teachable sections, and includes helpful ideas on how to teach any passage of the Bible. It asks and answers questions like:

• What does this passage teach?
• How can I make this truth plain?
• What is the best way to help students apply this teaching?
• What is God saying to me in this passage?
• What is the context of the passage? (how the passage fits with what is before and after it)
• Where can I find other passages which develop this theme?
• How can I make the teaching interesting and interactive for students?
• How can I help students really understand?

• A one-volume look at the entire Bible from a teaching perspective
• Theologically conservative
• Uses the New International Version (NIV) predominantly, but also quotes extensively from the New American Standard (NASB), the King James Version (KVJ), the Living Bible (TLB), and The New Testament in Modern English, by J.B. Phillips
• A section-by-section exposition of themes and background, with an emphasis on teaching
• Non-technical (no knowledge of Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic necessary)
• Defines key biblical and theological terms and references the Victor Bible Knowledge Commentary for more in-depth study
• Geared for Bible teachers at all levels

Richards is well known as an outstanding Bible teacher. Teaching methods and applications are the strengths of this commentary. —Steve

• Approaching the Bible, by Donald Carson
• Biblical History, by Gordon McConville
• The Pentateuch, by Gordon Wenham
• Poetry in the Bible, by Philip Jensen
• Apocrypha and Apocalyptic, by Roger Beckwith
• Reading the Gospels, by R.T. France
• Reading the Epistles, by Donald Carson

Overview of the New Bible Commentary: 21^st Century Edition:

• Theologically moderate/conservative
• Non-technical (no knowledge of Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic needed)
• For laypeople and teachers
• Uses the New International Version (NIV) Bible as its English base  [TOP]

The scholars who contributed to this volume are outstanding conservative commentators. This commentary is highly recommended. —Steve

Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament & New Testament
By Edited by John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck / Cook Communications

• Theologically conservative (Evangelical)
• Based on the New International Version (NIV)
• Mainly a section-by-section commentary, with a good amount of verse-by-verse commentary as well
• Non-technical (all original languages are transliterated)
• Designed for all Christian students and learners

• Introduction, outline, commentary and bibliography for each book of the Bible
• Explanations of problem passages, alleged discrepancies, customs, geographical locations, and key Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic words
• Numerous maps, charts and diagrams for easy reference
• A presentation of each book's argument, and how that book's purpose unfolds and develops
• Numerous cross-references to parallel topics and passages

If you choose this volume, just keep in mind Walvoord's dispensational premillennial stance. Amillennialists may want to choose an alternative. —Steve

Barnes' Notes on the Old and New Testaments
By Albert Barnes / Baker

One of the best-selling commentary sets of all time! James Murphy and Albert Barnes's conservative verse-by-verse explanation of the KJV text is dependable and profitable for sermon preparation, Bible study, and teaching. A thoroughly evangelical resource, it offers pastors and laypeople a fine blend of scholarly insight, non-technical language, and practical application. 10,712 pages total, 14 hardcovers from Baker. Please Note: Due to the weight of this set, we must charge our International Customers an additional $50.00 Postage Surcharge to help cover our shipping costs.  

This commentary is one of the most used and best loved of all. —Steve

Calvin's Commentaries, 22 Volumes
By John Calvin / Baker

A towering figure in the Reformation and prolific scholar and theologian, John Calvin authored not only his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion, but commentaries on twenty-four books of the Old Testament and all of the New Testament except for 2 and 3 John and Revelation. These classic commentaries continue to be valued exegetical reference works for pastors and serious students of the Bible today.

Please note: Due to the weight of Calvin's Commentaries (Item 24442), an additional $50.00 shipping charge will be added to an International order for each occurrence of Calvin's Commentaries in your bookbag. These additional charges will be automatically added to the Order Summary Page.
Calvin's commentaries are now available for free on the Internet (see my "Depths-Mind" section). You may want to check them out before you buy. —Steve

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, 6 Volumes
By Matthew Henry / Hendrickson Publishers

For 300 years Henry's commentary on the Bible has been a favorite of teachers, preachers, and laypeople. His rich exposition and useful applications are perfect for devotional reading and sermon help. This edition features modern print and  J.B. Williams's extensive 1828 account of Henry's

This commentary is now available for free on the Internet (see my "Depths-Mind" section). You may want to check it out before you buy. —Steve

• Footnotes automatically display with the appropriate commentary text.
• Search by lexical forms of Greek and Hebrew behind the NIV using the Exhaustive Concordance.
• In the Footnotes, choose how you want to view the Greek and Hebrew text (true, full or simple transliteration)
• Tabbed and tiled window panes keep everything in view
• Search assistant
• Note-taking and bookmarking for book, chapter, verse, topic, or subtopic
• customization options for text, background colors, font and point size

In response to the request from average Christians for more information about the historical and socio-cultural backgrounds of the New Testament, Zondervan has released the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. Evangelical scholars offer background information from relevant papyrii, inscriptions, archaeological discoveries, and the study of Judaism, Roman culture, Hellenism, and other features of the New Testament world, supplemented by stunning photographs, maps, and diagrams, which combine to offer one of the most visually appealing commentaries on the market.

Contributors:

• Theologically conservative (Evangelical)
• Non-technical (no knowledge of Greek or Aramaic necessary)
• Based on the New International Version (NIV)
• A section-by-section look at the socio-cultural and historical background of the New Testament and its context

Matthew Poole's Commentary, 3 Volumes
By Matthew Poole / Hendrickson Publishers

Perhaps the only true rival to Matthew Henry! Charles Spurgeon said, "If I must have only one commentary, and had read Matthew Henry as I have, I do not know but what I should choose Poole. He is a very prudent and judicious commentator . . . not so pithy and witty by far as Matthew Henry, but he is perhaps more accurate, less a commentator, and more an expositor." 3104 pages total, three hardcovers from Hendrickson.

This commentary is almost as popular as Barnes or Henry. Keep in mind, however, that it is quite old and will not contain the result of more than a century of archaeological excavations. —Steve

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