Recommended NT Commentaries
Please note this list was developed in 1985. It has not been updated since then.
As a Pastor, your library is a tremendous tool for expository preaching. Realizing that my funds are limited and wanting the best tools available, I started compiling the recommendations of Seminaries which I believed were sound in theology. I have compiled these in a database consisting of over 600 commentaries. The following list includes commentaries recommended by at least 2 sources. Please understand that some the works are liberal in sections, and have many differing views on eschatology. The information was taken from the following sources, which I would suggest you acquire since many other commentaries are mentioned in the material.
MASTERS = The Masters seminary. James Stitzinger has compiled a list of 750 books for biblical expositors. This is an excellent resource on the web and includes many other books. If the commentary includes a 1 beside it, this is the first commentary they recommend purchasing.
DALLAS = Dallas Theological Seminary. The department of New testament Literature and Exegesis compiled an annotated bibliography for the study of the Old Testament in April of 1988. This can be purchased from the bookstore It lists commentaries with a short description of the commentaries.
CALVARY = Calvary Theological Seminary (Kansas City). The faculty of Calvary prepared a booklet entitled The Expositor’s Toolbox. They recommend commentaries and books for study. This booklet may be purchased from their bookstore. It was copyrighted in 1992. They have also selected the best commentary in each catagory, which I have designated with a 1.
CENTRAL = Central Baptist Theological Seminary (Minnesota) Michael A. Grisanti has edited a list of recommended books for a Pastor’s library. This was compiled in April of 1988. I believe this can also be purchased from Central bookstore for a very nominal cost.
Again, These Seminaries do not endorse every view of these commentators. They simply recognize the value of these works within this field. My approach has been “in a multitude of counselors is safety.” I trust you will find these references valuable in your toolbox. A number beside the name represents the ranking of that commentary at the time..
Carson, D.A. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (8) Zondervan 1984 Pre Mill
Toussaint, Stanley D. Behold the King Multnomah 1980 Pre Mill
Cranfield, C.E.B. Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary Cambridge 1966
Lane. William. New International Commentary Eerdmans 1974
Taylor, Vincent Baker 1966 can be somewhat liberal
Ellis, E. Earle New Century Bible Eerdmans 1974
Hendrickson, William Baker 1978
Marshall, I. Howard New International Greek Commentary Eerdmans 1978
Plummer, Alfred International Critical Commentary Scribners 1910 some liberal material
Hendrickson, William Baker 1961 2 vols in 1 (amill)
Morris, Leon New International Commentary Eerdmans 1971
Bruce, F.F. New International Commentary Eerdmans 1988
Harrison, Everett F. Intrepretating Acts: The Expanding Church Zondervan 1986 orginally Moody 1975
Longenecker, Richard N. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (vol 9) Zondervan 1981
Marshall, I. Howard Tyndale N.T. Series Eerdmans 1980
Cranfield, C.E.B. New International Critical Commentary T & T Clark 1975-79 2 Volumes
Murray, John New International Commentary Eerdmans 1959-65 2 volumes (amill)
Barrett, C.K. Black 1971 Liberal
Fee, Gordon H. New International Commentary Eerdmans 1987
Godet, Franz Kregel 1977 reprint of 1886
Robertson, A.T. & Alfred Plummer International Critical Commentary Charles Scribner 1911
Harris, Murray Expositors Bible Commentary Zondervan 1981
Hughes, Phillip E. New International Commentary on N.T. Eerdmans 1962
Plummer, Alfred International Critical Commentary Scribners 1915
Bruce, F.F. New International Greek N.T. Commentary Eerdmans 1983
Burton, Ernest D. International Critical Commentary T & T Clark 1962 reprint of 1921
Lightfoot, J.B. Galatians, Phillipians, Colossians, Philmeon Hendrickson 1981rp reprint of 1890-97 works
Barth, Marcus Anchor Bible Commentary Doubleday 1974 2 volumes (liberal)
Bruce, F.F. The Epistle to the Ephesians Revell 1974rp
Eadie, John Zondervan none reprint of 1883 by T & T Clark
Hendrickson, William Baker 1966
Bruce, F.F. New International Biblical Commentary Hendrickson 1989
Hawthorne, Gerald F. Word Biblical Commentary Word 1983
Lightfoot, John B. Zondervan 1953
Martin, Ralph P. Tyndale Series Eerdmans 1987
Bruce, F.F. New International Biblical Commentary Hendrickson 1989
Lightfoot, John B. Zondervan 1959
O’Brein, Peter T. Word Biblical Commentary Word 1982
Bruce, F.F. Word Biblical Commentary Word 1982
Hiebert, D. Edmond Moody 1971 Pre-mill
Morris, Leon Tyndale N.T. Commentary (also NICNT) Eerdmans 1984 A-mill
Thomas, Robert Expositor’s Bible Commentary Zondervan 1976-92 Pre-Mill
Fee, Gordon D. New International Biblical Commentary Hendrickson 1988
Kelly, J.N.D. Harper’s N.T. Commentary Baker 1981rp
Kent, Homer A., Jr. The Pastoral Epistles Moody 1982
Simpson, E.K. Greek Text with Introductions Eerdmans 1954
Bruce, F.F. New International Biblical Commentary Hendrickson 1989
Lightfoot, John B. Zondervan 1959
O’Brein, Peter T. Word Biblical Commentary Word 1982
Bruce, F.F. New International Commentary Eerdmans 1990
Hughes, Phillip E. Eerdmans 1977
Kent, Homer A. Jr. Baker 1972
Westcott, B.F. Eerdmans 1950
Davids, Peter New International Greek Testament Commentary Eerdmans 1982
Hiebert, D. Edmond The Epistles of James, tests of a Living faith Moody 1979 get revised edition
Mayor, Joseph B. Kregel 1990rp
Kelly, J.N.D. Harper’s N.T. Commentary Baker 1981rp
Selwyn, E.G. Baker 1981rp
Bauckham, Richard Word Biblical Commentary (2 Peter & Jude) Word 1983 Liberal
Green, Michael 2 Peter & Jude (Tyndales Series) Eerdmans 1968
Kelly, J.N.D. Harper’s N.T. Commentary Baker 1981rp
Mayor, Joseph B. 2 Peter & Jude Baker 1979
Marshall, I Howard New International Commentary on N.T. Eerdmans 1978
Westcott, B.F. The Epistles of St. John Eerdmans 1966rp
Bauckham, Richard Word Biblical Commentary (2 Peter & Jude) Word 1983 Liberal
Lawlor, George Pres & Reformed 1972
Mayor, Joseph B. 2 Peter & Jude Baker 1979
Mounce, Robert New International Commentary on N.T. Eerdmans 1977
Smith, J.B. Herald 1961 Premill
Swete, H.B. Kregel none Technical
Walvoord, John F. The Revelation of Jesus Christ Moody 1966 Premill
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