Books for Bible Expositors
The works listed here are only suggestions. Each person will need to adapt it to fit his own needs. "Books are like clothes: what fits one person's needs and style may not fit another person's at all". Also, this list is limited to a basic collection in the fields of biblical studies and theology, and does not identify other items that an expositor may wish to acquire. The expositor should acquire a number of important items on current biblical and theological issues to assist him in his study and keep himself current. The purpose of this list to assist a new generation of aspiring expository preachers in gathering a collection of tools for this worthy task. It includes books which have or will stand the test of time and tries to avoid items based only on current theological speculation.
The list has a wider purpose, however. It is for a wide spectrum of readers who are seeking to assemble a well rounded library. Serious expositors should consider the entire list as a model library. A reasonable goal is to acquire the volumes in ten years. The first items to purchase have been marked with an asterisk (*). These same ones can serve as a basic list for a serious layman or devoted pastor who wishes to accumulate less than the proposed 500+ titles for assistance in Bible study. The following are clarifications regarding the list:
1. Some of the volumes listed under individual commentaries are parts of sets which are also included in the list. They have not been counted twice.
2. When entire sets are recommended, it is understood that individual volumes within each set are uneven quality because of a variety of authors. The expositor should sometimes buy selectively from sets with this in mind. In other cases, he should own entire sets so that he has resources on the whole Bible.
3. The expositor may choose to wait to purchase commentaries on individual books of the Bible until he needs them. He should remember, however, that books are in and out of print and that he may not always have the time or be in the right place to secure good materials. The KEY to building a good library is a good "want list" carefully pursued over a period of time. Books tend to show up when least expected and often cannot be found when needed! They are often cheaper when a need for them is not so urgent.
The list can also be used as a study guide for those with access to a theological library. It can also be modified and made suitable as a basis for a church library in biblical studies.
I. Bibliographic Tools
Badke, William B. Research Strategies, Finding Your Way Through the Information Fog. Writer’s Club Press, 2000.
*Barber, Cyril J. Best Books For Your Bible Study Library. Loizeaux, 2000.
________.The Minister's Library. Moody, 1985-. 2 vols. plus supplements.
________. Robert M. Krauss, Jr. An Introduction to Theological Research. University Press of
*Barker, Kenneth L., Bruce K. Waltke, Roy B. Zuck. Bibliography for Old Testament Exegesis and Exposition.
Bollier, John A. The Literature of Theology: A Guide for Students and Pastors.
*Carson, D. A. New Testament Commentary Survey. 5th ed. IVP, 2001.
Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher.
Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey. Kregel, 2003.
Johnston, William M. Recent Reference Books in Religion. IVP, 1996
Kiehl, Erich H. Building Your Biblical Studies Library. Concordia, 1988.
Longman III, Tremper. Old Testament Commentary Survey 2nd ed. Baker, 1995.
Martin, Ralph P. New Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher.
*Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. Author, 1983.
Spurgeon, Charles H. Commenting and Commentaries. Banner of Truth, 1969.
*Wiersbe, Warren W. A Basic Library for Bible Students. Baker, 1981.
II. Bibles
American Standard Version. Nelson, 1901.
The Amplified Bible. Zondervan, 1965.
*King James Version (or Authorized Version). Various publishers.
The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Tyndale, 1971.
The MacArthur Study Bible. Word, 1997.
The NASB Study Bible. Zondervan, 1999.
*New American Standard Bible. Lockman, 1977.
New English Bible. Oxford/Cambridge, 1970.
New
*New International Version. Zondervan, 1978.
New King James Version. Nelson, 1982.
The New Scofield Reference Bible.
The New Testament in Modern English. Macmillan, 1973.
The NIV Study Bible. Zondervan, 1985.
Reese Chronological Bible: King James version.
*Ryrie Study Bible. Moody, 1978.
The Scofield Reference Bible.
Zondervan NASB Study Bible. Zondervan, 1999.
III. Biblical Texts
*Aland, Kurt. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed.; UBS, 1993.
________. The Text of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1987.
*Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. ed. by Ellinger and Rudolph; Deutsche Biblestiftung, 1984.
*Bruce, F. F. The Books and the Parchments.
*________. The Canon of the Scripture. InterVarsity, 1988.
________. History of the English Bible in English. 3rd ed.;
Greenlee, J. Harold. Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism. Eerdmans, 1964.
*Harris, R. Laird. Inspiration and Canonicity of the Bible. Zondervan, 1969.
Lewis, Jack P. The English Bible From KJV to NIV, A History of Evaluation. Baker, 1982.
Metzger, Bruce M. The Canon of the New Testament.
________. The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration.
*________. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. UBS, 1971.
*Nestle-Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 26th ed.; Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1979.
*Rahlfs, Alfred. Septuaginta. Wuerttembergische, 1962.
Roberts, B. J. The Old Testament Text and Versions.
Ryken, Leland. The Word of God in English, Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation. Crossway, 2002.
*Thomas, Robert. How to Choose a Bible Version.
Swete, Henry B. An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek. KTAV, 1968.
White, James R. The King James Only Controversy.
Wurthwein, Ernst. The Text of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1979.
IV. Old Testament Tools
*Armstrong, Terry A., Douglas L. Busby, and Cyril F. Carr. A Reader's Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Zondervan, 1989.
Botterweck, G. Johannes, and Helmer Ringgren, eds. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1974-1996. Vols. 1-15.
*Brown, Francis, Samuel R. Driver, and Charles A Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament.
Desmond, T. Alexander and David W. Barker. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. IVP, 2003
Einspahr, Bruce. Index to Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew Lexicon. Moody, 1977.
*Even-Shoshan, Abraham. A New Concordance of the Old Testament. Baker, 1989.
Girdlestone, Robert Baker. Synonyms of The Old Testament. Eerdmans.
*Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody, 1980. 2 vols.
Hatch, Edwin, and Henry A Redpath. A Concordance to the Septuagint and the Other Greek Versions of the Old Testament. Akademische, 1955. 2 vols.
*Holliday, William. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1971.
Jenni, Ernst and Claus Westermann. Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament. Hendrickson, 1997. 3 vols.
Koehler, Ludwig, and Walter Baumgartner,. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Brill, 1994-2000. 5 vols.
*Kohlenberger III,
Liddell, Henry G., and Robert Scott. A Greek English Lexicon. 9th. ed., rev. by. H. S. Jones and R. McKenzie;
*Owens,
Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Abingdon, 1987.
Van Gemeren, Willem A. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology And Exegesis. Zondervan, 1997. 5 vols.
Waltke, Bruce. An Intermediate Hebrew Grammar. Eisenbrauns, 1984.
Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O'Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.
*Weingreen, Jacob. Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew.
Wilson, William. Old Testament Word Studies. Kregel, 1978.
*Wigram, George The Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance of the Old Testament. Hendrickson, 1996.
Unger, Merrill F., and William White. Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament. Nelson, 1980.
V. New Testament Tools
*Abbot-Smith, George. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. T. & T. Clark, 1936.
Alsop,
Balz, Horst, and Gerhard Schneider, eds. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1978. 3 vols
Barclay, William. New Testament Words.
*Bauer, Walter, W. F. Arndt, F.W. Gingrich, and F.W. Danker. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. University of Chicago, 3rd ed, 2000.
Blass, F. W., A. Debrunner, and Robert W. Funk. A Grammar of New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature.
Bromiley, Geoffrey. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Ed. by Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich, trans. by Geoffrey W. Bromiley, abridged in 1 vol. Eerdmans, 1985.
*Brown, Colin, ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Zondervan, 1975-86. 4 vols.
Cremer, Hermann. Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek. 4th ed. T. & T. Clark, 1962.
Dana, H. E., and Julius R. Mantey. A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament. Macmillan, 1955.
Evans, Craig A. and
Gingrich, F. W. A Shorter Lexicon of the Greek Testament. 2nd ed., rev. by Frederick W. Danker.
Green, Joel B. and Scot McKnight. eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. IVP, 1992.
Hanna, Robert. A Grammatical Aid to the Greek New Testament. Baker, 1983.
Hawthorne, Gerald F. and Ralph Martin. Eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. IVP, 1993.
Kittel, Gerhard, and Gerhard Friedrich. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Trans. by Geoffrey Bromiley. Eerdmans, 1964-76. 10 vols.
Kohlenberger III,
*________, The Greek English Concordance To the New Testament. Zondervan, 1977
Liddell, H. G., and R. Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon. 8th ed.; Clarendon, 1897.
*Machen, J. Gresham. New Testament Greek for Beginners. Macmillan, 1923.
Martin, Ralph and Peter H. Davids. Eds. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Developments. IVP, 1997.
Moule, C. F. D. An Idiom Book of the New Testament Greek.
Moulton, James Hope. A Grammar of New Testament Greek. T. & T. Clark, 1908. 4 vols.
________ and George Milligan. The Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament Illustrated from the Papyri and Other Non-Literary Sources. Hodder and
Moulton, William, and A. S. Geden. A Concordance to the Greek Testament. 6th ed., fully rev. by I. Howard Marshall. T. & T. Clark, 2002.
Richards,
*Rienecker, Fritz. A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament. Zondervan, 1980.
Robertson, A. T. A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research. Broadman, 1923.
Rogers, Cleon L Jr. and Cleon L Rogers III The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to The Greek New Testament. Zondervan, 1998
Smith, J. B. Greek-English Concordance to the New Testament. Herald, 1955.
Spicq, Ceslas. Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. Hendrickson, 1994. 3 vols.
*Thayer, Joseph H. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Zondervan, 1962.
Trench, Richard Chenevix. Synonyms of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1953.
Turner, Nigel. Christian Words. Nelson, 1981.
________. Grammatical Insights into the New Testament. T. & T. Clark, 1977.
*Vine, W. E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White. An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nelsons, 1984.
*Wingram, George V. The Englishman's Greek Concordance of the New Testament. 9th ed. Zondervan, 1970.
Zerwick, Max, and Mary Grosvener. A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament. Biblical Institute, 1981.
VI. Hermeneutics and Exegesis
Archer, Gleason L. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties Zondervan, 1982.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Toward an Exegetical Theology. Baker, 1981.
________. et.al. Hard Sayings of the Bible. IVP, 1996.
McKim, Donald. Ed. Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters. IVP, 1998.
Mickelsen, A. Berkeley. Interpreting the Bible. Eerdmans, 1963.
*Ramm, Bernard. Protestant Biblical Interpretation. Baker, 1970.
Sproul, R. C. Knowing Scripture. InterVarsity, 1977.
*Tan, Paul Lee. The Interpretation of Prophecy. BMH, 1974.
*Terry, Milton S. Biblical Hermeneutics. Zondervan, 1974.
*Thomas, Robert L. Introduction to Exegesis. [
Traina, Robert A. Methodical Bible Study.
Virkler, Henry A. Hermeneutics, Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation. Baker, 1981
VII. General Reference Works
*Bromiley, Geoffrey W., ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Eerdmans, 1979-88. 4 vols.
Buttrick, George A., and K. Crims, eds. The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible. Abingdon, 1962-76. 5 vols.
Cross, F.L. and E.A. Livingston. The
Douglas, J. D., et.al. eds. The New Bible Dictionary. 3rd ed. IVP, 1986.
________ and E. E. Cairns, eds. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Zondervan, 1978.
________, ed. New 20th-Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Baker, 1990.
Elwell, Walter A., ed. Encyclopedia of the Bible. Baker, 1988. 2 vols.
*________, ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology.. Baker, 1996.
*________, ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Baker, 2nd. ed. 2001.
*
Harrison, R. K. Encyclopedia of Biblical and Christian Ethics. Nelsons, 1987.
Hastings, James, ed. Dictionary of the Apostolic Church. T. & T. Clark, 1915. 2 vols.
________. Dictionary of the Bible. T. & T. Clark, 1898. 5 vols.
________. Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels. T. & T. Clark, 1906. 2 vols.
McClintock,
*Orr, James, ed. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Eerdmans, 1939. 5 vols.
Palmer, gen. ed. The Encyclopedia of Christianity.
Reid,
*Tenney, Merrill C., ed. The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. 1975. 5 vols.
*Unger, Merrill F. The New Unger's Bible Dictionary.
VIII. Concordances
Anderson, Ken. The Contemporary Concordance of Bible Topics.
Elder, F., ed. Concordance to the New English Bible: New Testament. Zondervan, 1964.
Goodrick, Edward, and
________. The NIV Exhaustive Concordance. Zondervan, 1990.
Hill, Andrew E., comp. Baker's Handbook of Bible Lists. Baker, 1981.
*Monser, Harold E. Topical Index and Digest of the Bible. Baker, 1983.
*Nave, Orville J., ed. Nave's Topical Bible. Nelson, 1979.
The Phrase Concordance of the Bible. Nelson, 1986.
Nelson's Concordance of Bible Phrases.
*Strong, James. Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Abingdon, 1980.
*Thomas, Robert L., ed. New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Holman, 1981.
*Torrey, R. A. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
*_______. The New Topical Textbook.
*Young, Robert., ed. Analytical Concordance to the Bible.
IX. Works on Archaeology, Geography, and History
Aharoni, Yohanan. The Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography of the Bible. 2d ed., rev. and enl.
Arnold, Bill T. and Bryan E. Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament. Baker, 1998. with CD-ROM.
*________. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Macmillan, 1977.
Baly, Denis. The Geography of the Bible. New and rev. ed. Harper, 1974.
Barrett, C. K. The New Testament Background: Selected Documents. S.P.C.K., 1958.
Beitzel, Barry J. The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands. Moody, 1985.
Blaiklock, E. M., and R. K. Harrison, eds. The New International Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology. Zondervan, 1983.
Bouquet, A. C. Everyday Life in New Testament Times. Scribner, 1953.
Bruce, F .F. Israel and the Nations. Eerdmans, 1963.
*________. New Testament History. Doubleday, 1971.
Dowley, Tim Atlas of the Bible and Christianity. Baker, 1997.
*Edersheim, Alfred. Bible History. Eerdmans, 1954. 2 vols.
*________. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Eerdmans, 1954. 2 vols.
Elwell, Walter A. and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament. Baker, 1997. with CD-ROM.
Finegan, Jack Handbook of Biblical Chronology. rev. ed. Hendrickson, 1998.
*Gower, Ralph. The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times. Moody, 1987.
Harrison, Roland K., ed. Major Cities of the Biblical World. Nelson, 1985.
*________. Old Testament Times. Eerdmans, 1990.
Heaton, E. W. Everyday Life in Old Testament Times. Scribner's, 1956.
Jeremias, Joachim.
Josephus, Flavius. Complete Works. Kregel, 1960.
Kaiser, Walter C. A History of
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament. IVP, 1993.
Lohse, Eduard. The New Testament Environment. Abingdon, 1976.
Merrill, Eugene H. Kingdom of Priests. Baker, 1987.
Metzger, Bruce Manning. The New Testament, Its Background, Growth, and Content. Abingdon, 1965.
Miller, Madeleine S., and
*Pfeiffer, Charles F. The Biblical World. Baker, 1966.
*________. Old Testament History. Baker, 1973.
*________ and Howard F. Vos. The Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands. Moody, 1967.
Reicke, Bo. The New Testament Era. Fortress, 1968.
Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks. 3rd. ed.; Harper, 1980.
*Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament Times. Eerdmans, 1965.
Thompson, J. A. The Bible and Archaeology. Eerdmans, 1972.
*________. Handbook of Life in Bible Times. InterVarsity, 1986.
Vos, Howard F. Archaeology in Biblical Lands. Moody, 1987.
Walton,
________. The Prophets of
*________. A Survey of
________.
Yamauchi, Edwin M. Pre-Christian Gnosticism. 2nd ed. Baker, 1983.
X. Survey and Introduction
*Alexander, David, and Pat Alexander. Eerdman's Handbook to the Bible. Eerdmans, 1973.
Andrews, Samuel J. The Life of Our Lord Upon the Earth. Zondervan, 1954.
*Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction.
Bock, Darrell L. Jesus According to Scripture, Restoring the Portrait from the Gospels. Baker, 2002.
*Bruce, A. B. The Training of the Twelve. Zondervan, 1963.
Bruce, F. F. The Letters of Paul and Expanded Paraphrase. Eerdmans, 1965.
________. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Eerdmans, 1977.
Bullock, C. Hassell. An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books. Moody, 1988.
Conybeare, W. J., and Howsen, J. S. The Life and Epistles of
Craigie, Peter C. The Old Testament, Its Background, Growth, and Content. Abingdon, 1986.
*Culver, Robert D. The Life of Christ. Baker, 1976.
Dillard, Raymond B. and Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Zondervan, 1994.
Farrar, Frederic W. The Life of Christ. Cassell, 1874. 2 vols.
________.The Life and Work of
Foakes Jackson, F. J., and
*Freeman, Hobart E. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets. Moody, 1968.
*Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament. Zondervan, 1981.
Guthrie, Donald. The Apostles. Zondervan, 1975.
________. Jesus the Messiah. Zondervan, 1972.
*________. New Testament Introduction.
*Gromacki, Robert. New Testament Survey. Baker, 1974.
*Harrison, Everett F. Introduction to the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1964.
Harrison, Roland K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1969.
*Hiebert, D.
Kaiser, Walter C. Classical Evangelical Essays in Old Testament Interpretation. Baker, 1972.
Kidner, Derek. An Introduction to Wisdom Literature, The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. InterVarsity, 1985.
Lange,
*Lasor, William Sanford, David Hubbard, and Frederic Bush. Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans, 1982.
MacArthur,
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Crises of the Christ. Old
________. The Parables and Metaphors of Our Lord.
________. The Teaching of Christ.
Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Words and Works of Jesus Christ. Zondervan, 1981.
Ramsay, William. The Church in the
________. The Cities of
________.
Robertson, A. T. A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ. Harper, 1950.
Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks. Harper, 1970.
Scroggie, William Graham. A Guide to the Gospels.
*________. Know Your Bible.
________. The Unfolding Drama of Redemption. Zondervan, 1970.
Shepard, J. W. The Christ of the Gospels, An Exegetical Study. Eerdmans, 1957.
________. The Life and Letters of
Smith, David. The Days of His Flesh, The earthly life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
*Tenney, Merrill C., rev. by Walter M. Dunnett. New Testament Survey. Eerdmans, 1985.
Thomas, Robert L. Charts of the Gospels and the Life of Christ. Zondervan, 2000.
*________. , and
________. The NIV Harmony of the Gospels. Harper, 1988.
Trench, R. C. Notes on the Parables.
Unger, Merrill F. Introductory Guide to the Old Testament. Zondervan, 1951.
*________. Unger's Guide to the Bible. Tyndale, 1974.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament.
________. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament.
Willmington, H.L. Willmington’s Guide to the Bible. Tyndale, 1981.
Young, Edward J. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1960.
XI. XI. Theological Works
Bahnsen, Greg L. Always Ready. American Vision, 1996.
________. Van Til’s Apologetic, Readings and Analysis. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1998.
*Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1941.
Bruce, F. F. New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes. Eerdmans, 1968.
Buswell, James Oliver. A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion. Zondervan, 1962.
Cairns, Alan. Dictionary of Theological Terms Ambassador, 1998.
Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology.
Elwell, Walter. Handbook of Evangelical Theologians. Baker, 1993
*Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 2nd ed. Baker, 1998.
________. The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology revised ed. Crossway, 2001.
*Grenz, Stanley, et al. Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. IVP, 1999.
Feinberg, Charles L. Millennialism: The Two Major Views. 3rd ed.; Moody, 1980.
Garrett, James Leo. Systematic Theology, Biblical, Historical, and Evangelical. Eerdmans, 1990. 2 vols.
Gill,
*Grudem,
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. InterVarsity, 1981.
Hastings,
Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. Clarke, 1960. 3 vols.
*Kaiser, Walter C. Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Baker, 1981.
________. Old Testament Theology. Zondervan, 1978.
*McClain, Alva J. The Greatness of the Kingdom. Moody, 1959.
Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms. Baker, 1985.
Murray,
Oehler, Gustav Friedrich. Theology of the Old Testament. Funk and Wagnalls, 1884.
Packer, J. I., ed. The Best in Theology.
Payne, J. Barton. Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy. Harper, 1973.
*Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. Zondervan, 1958.
Reymond, Robert. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. Nelsons, 1998.
Ridderbos, Herman. Paul: An Outline of His Theology. Eerdmans, 1975.
Ryrie, Charles C. Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Moody, 1959.
Shedd, William G. T. Dogmatic Theology. 3rd ed. P&R Pub, 2003.
Turretin, Francis. Institutes of Elenctic Theology. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1992. 3 vols.
Van Til, Cornelius The Defense of the Faith. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1955.
________. In Defense of Biblical Christianity. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1967-71, 6 vols.
Vos, Gerhardus. Biblical Theology. Eerdmans, 1948.
Walvoord,
Warfield, Benjamin B. Biblical and Theological Studies. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1968.
________. Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1970. 2 vols.
XII. One-Volume Commentaries
Dunn, James D. G., and J. W. Rogerson, eds. Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible.
Elwell, Walter A., ed. Evangelical Commentary on the Bible
Guthrie, Donald, J.A. Motyer, A.M. Stibbs, and D.J. Wiseman, eds. The New Bible Commentary:
*Harrison, E. F., and Charles F. Pfeiffer. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Moody, 1962.
XIII. Commentary Sets
*Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. Moody, 1958. 4 vols.
Barclay, William F. The Daily Bible Series.
Bruce, F. F., ed. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans, (on going).
Calvin,
________. Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries. ed. by David W Torrance and Thomas F. Torrance. Eerdmans, 1958-1972. 12 vols.
Clendenen, E. Charles and David S. Dockery. The New American Commentary. Broadman, 1991
*Gaebelein, Frank E., gen. ed. The Expositor's Bible Commentary: with the New International Version of the Holy Bible. Zondervan, 1976-1992. 12 vols.
Harrison, R. K., ed. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, (on going).
*Hendriksen, William, and Simon J. Kistemaker. New Testament Commentary. Baker, 1954-2001. 12 vols. so far.
*Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible.
Hubbard, David, and Glenn W. Barker. Word Biblical Commentary. Word, (54 vols. in 59 books when complete; Acts due in 2008; Judges not done as of 2007.
Hughes, R. Kent, gen.ed. Preaching the Word Series. Crossway, 1985.
*Jamieson, Robert, A.R. Fausset and Brown. A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments. Eerdmans, 1945. 6 vols.
*Keil, C. F., and F. Delitzsch. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1968. 11 vols.
Lange,
Lenski, R .C. H. Interpretation of the New Testament.
*MacArthur,
Meyer, H. A. W. Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the New Testament. Funk and Wagnals, 1884. 11 vols.
*
The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 1978-.
*Nicoll, William Robertson. The Expositor's Greek New Testament. Eerdmans, 1970. 5 vols.
Perowne, J. J. S., gen ed. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges.
*Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Broadman, 1930. 6 vols.
Vincent, Marvin R. Word Studies in the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1946. 4 vols.
*Walvoord,
Wilson, Tom and Keith Stapley. What the Bible Teaches: with Authorized Version of the Bible
*Wiseman, D. J., ed. The Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. InterVarsity, 27 vols. so far.
Wuest,
Yeager, Randolph. O. The Renaissance New Testament. Pelican, 1986. 18 vols.
XIV. Individual Book Commentaries
Genesis
Aalders, G.Ch. Genesis. Zondervan, 1981. 2 vols.
*Davis,
Leupold, J.C. Exposition of Genesis. Baker, 1963.
MacArthur,
*Morris, Henry M. The Genesis Record: a Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. Baker Book House, 1976.
Stigers, Harold G. A Commentary on Genesis. Zondervan, 1976.
Waltke, Bruce. Genesis, a Commentary. Zondervan, 2001
Exodus
Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Book of Exodus. Klock and Klock, 1976. 2 vols.
Childs, Brevard. The Book of Exodus: A Critical, Theological Commentary.
*Davis,
MacKay,
Leviticus
Bonar, Andrew. A Commentary on the Book of Leviticus. Zondervan, 1959.
Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Books of Numbers. Klock and Klock, 1976.
Noordtzij, A. Leviticus. Zondervan, 1982.
Ross, Allen P. Holiness to the Lord. Baker, 2002.
*Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. NICOT; Eerdmans, 1979.
Numbers
Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Book of Numbers. Klock and Klock, 1976.
Gray, George G. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Numbers. ICC; T. & T.Clark, 1912.
*Harrison, R. K. The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary: Numbers. Moody, 1990.
Deuteronomy
*Craigie, Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy. NICOT; Eerdmans, 1976.
Driver, S. R. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Deuteronomy. T. &T. Clark, 1902.
Reider, Joseph. The Holy Scriptures: Deuteronomy. Jewish Publication Society, 1937.
Ridderbos, J. Deuteronomy, Zondervan, 1986.
Joshua
Goslinga, C.J. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Zodervan, 1986.
Pink, Arthur. Gleanings in Joshua. Moody, 1964.
*Woudstra, Marten H. The Book of Joshua. NICOT; Eerdmans, 1981.
Judges
Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Book of Judges. Klock and Klock, 1976.
Moore, George F. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Judges. ICC; T. & T. Clark, 1901.
*
Ruth
Atkinson, David. The Message of Ruth. InterVarsity, 1983.
Barber, Cyril J. Ruth: An Expositional Commentary. Moody, 1983.
*Hubbard, Robert L. The Book of Ruth. NICOT; Eerdmans, 1988.
1 & 2 Samuel
Barber, Cyril J. The Books of Samuel. Loizeaux, 2000. 2 vols.
*Davis,
Gordon, Robert P. I & II Samuel: A Commentary. Zondervan, 1986.
Keil, C. F., and F. Delitzsch. Biblical Commentary on the Books of Samuel. Eerdmans, 1971.
Klein, Ralph W. Word Biblical Commentary: I Samuel. Word, 1983.
1 & 2 Kings
DeVries, Simon J. Word Biblical Commentary: I Kings. Word, 1985.
*Keil, C. F. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: The Books of the Kings. Eerdmans, 1971.
Montgomery, James A. The Book of Kings. ICC; T. & T. Clark, 1951.
Newsome, James D., ed. A Synoptic Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles. Baker, 1986.
1 & 2 Chronicles
Braun, Roddy. Word Biblical Commentary: I Chronicles. Word, 1986.
Dillard, Raymond B. Word Biblical Commentary: II Chronicles. Word, 1987.
*Keil, C. F. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of the Chronicles. Eerdmans, 1971.
Pratt, Richard L. 1 and 2 Chronicles.
Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Chronicles. InterVarsity, 1987.
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Barber, Cyril J. Nehemiah and the Dynamics of Effective Leadership. Loizeaux, 1976.
Keil, C. F. The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Eerdmans, 1970.
*Kidner, Derek. Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC; InterVarsity, 1979.
*Whitcomb,
Williamson, H. G. M. Word Biblical Commentary: Ezra, Nehemiah. Word, 1985.
Job
*Anderson, Francis I. Job. TOTC; InterVarsity, 1976.
Caryl, Joseph. Practical Observations on Job. Dust and Ashes, 2001. 12 vols.
Delitzsch, Franz. Biblical Commentary on the Book of Job. Eerdmans, 1970. 2 vols.
Dhorme, Edouard. A Commentary on the Book of Job. Nelson, 1967.
Zuck, Roy B. ed. Sitting with Job. Baker, 1992.
Psalms
Alexander, J. A. The Psalms Translated and Explained. Zondervan, [19--].
Leupold, H. C. Exposition on the Psalms. Baker, 1969.
Scroggie, W. Graham. The Psalms.
*Spurgeon, C. H. The Treasury of David. Zondervan, 1966. 3 vols.
Proverbs
*Alden, Robert L. Proverbs. Baker, 1983.
McKane, William. Proverbs. OTL;
Delitzsch, Franz. Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon. Eerdmans, 1970. 2 vols.
Zuck, Roy B. ed. Learning from the Sages. Baker, 1995.
Ecclesiastes
Eaton, Michael. Ecclesiastes An Introduction and Commentary. InterVarsity, 1983.
*Kaiser, Walter C. Ecclesiastes: Total Life. Moody, 1979.
Leupold, H. C. Exposition of Ecclesiastes. Baker, 1952.
Song of Solomon
Burrowes, George. A Commentrary on The Song of Solomon. Banner of Truth, 1973.
*Carr, G. Lloyd. The Song of Solomon. InterVarsity, 1984.
Durham, James. The Song of Solomon. Banner of Truth, 1982.
Zuck, Roy B. Reflecting with Solomon. Baker, 1994.
Isaiah
Alexander, Joseph A. Isaiah, Translated and Explained. Zondervan, 1974.
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Prophecy of Isaiah. The Analyzed Bible. Hodder and
*Young, Edward J. The Book of Isaiah. Eerdmans, 1965-72. 3 vols.
Jeremiah
*Feinberg, Charles L. Jeremiah, A Commentary. Zondervan, 1982.
Laetsch, Theodore. Jeremiah. Concordia, 1952.
Morgan, G. Campbell. Studies in the Prophecy of Jeremiah.
Ryken, Philip Graham. Jeremiah and Lamentations. Crossway, 2001.
Lamentations
*Harrison, R. K. Jeremiah and Lamentations. TOTC; InterVarsity, 1973.
Jensen, Irving L. Jeremiah and Lamentations. Moody, 1974.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. A Biblical Approach to Personal Suffering. Moody, 1982.
Ezekiel
*Feinberg, Charles L. The Prophecy of Ezekiel. Moody, 1969.
Keil, Carl Friedrich. Biblical Commentary on the Prophecies of Ezekiel. Eerdmans, 1970. 2 vols.
*Walvoord,
Young, Edward J. The Messianic Prophecies of
Minor Prophets
*Feinberg, Charles L. The Minor Prophets. Moody, 1976.
Keil, C. F., and Franz Delitzsch. The Twelve Minor Prophets. Eerdmans, 1961. 2 vols.
Laetsch, Theodore. The Minor Prophets. Concordia, 1956.
McComiskey, Thomas E. ed. An Exegetical and Expositional Commentary: The Minor Prophets. Baker, 1992-8. 3 vols.
Pusey, E. B. The Minor Prophets, a Commentary. Baker, 1956.
Matthew
Broadus,
Hendriksen, William. The Gospel of Matthew. Baker, 1973.
MacArthur,
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Gospel According to Matthew.
*Toussaint, Stanley D. Behold the King, A Study of Matthew. Multnomah, 1980.
Mark
Hendriksen, William. The Gospel of Mark. Baker, 1975.
*Hiebert, D.
Morgan, G. C. The Gospel According to Mark.
Swete, Henry Barclay. The Gospel According to Saint Mark. Eerdmans, 1952.
Luke
Hendriksen, William. The Gospel of Luke. Baker, 1978.
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Gospel According to Luke.
*
Plummer, Alfred. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Luke. ICC; T. & T. Clark, 1922.
Hendriksen, William. Exposition of the Gospel According to
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Gospel According to
*
Westcott, B. F. The Gospel According to
Acts
Bruce, F. F. The Acts of the Apostles. 3rd. ed. Eerdmans, 1990.
________. The Book of the Acts. NICNT; Eerdmans, 1956.
*Harrison, Everett F. Acts: The Expanding Church. Moody, 1976.
Kistemaker, Simon J. New Testament Commentary, Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. Baker, 1990.
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Authentic Christianity, Studies in the Book of Acts. Crossway, 2000. 2 vols.
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Acts of the Apostles.
Romans
*Cranfield, C. E. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. ICC; T. & T. Clark, 1975-77. 2 vols.
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Romans. Zondervan, 1971-2002. 13 vols.
MacArthur,
McClain, Alva J. Romans, the Gospel of God's Grace. Moody, 1973.
Murray,
1 Corinthians
*Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT; Eerdmans, 1987.
Godet, Franz. Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Zondervan, 1957.
MacArthur,
Robertson, Archibald, and A. Plummer. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. ICC; T. & T. Clark, 1914.
2 Corinthians
*Hughes, Philip E. Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT; Eerdmans, 1962.
Kent, Homer A. A Heart Opened Wide: Studies in II Corinthians. Baker, 1982.
Plummer, Alfred. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. ICC; T. & T. Clark, 1915.
Galatians
Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians, A Commentary on the Greek Text. Eerdmans, 1982.
*Kent, Homer A., Jr. The Freedom of God's Sons: Studies in Galatians. Baker, 1976.
Lightfoot, Joseph Barber. The Epistle of
MacArthur,
Ephesians
*Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. NICNT; Eerdmans, 1984.
Hendriksen, William. Epistle to the Ephesians. Baker, 1966.
Hoehner, Harold W. Ephesians, An Exegetical Commentary. Baker, 2002.
Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Expositions on Ephesians. Baker, 1972-82. 8 vols.
MacArthur,
Salmond, S. D. F. "The Epistle to the Ephesians," in Expositor's Greek Testament. Vol 3. Eerdmans, 1970.
Philippians
Hendriksen, William. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians. Baker, 1962.
*Lightfoot,
Vincent, Marvin R. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Philippians and to Philemon. ICC; T. & T. Clark, 1897.
Colossians
*Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. NICNT; Eerdmans, 1984.
Hendriksen, William. Exposition of Colossians and Philemon. Baker, 1964.
Lightfoot, Joseph Barber.
Philemon
See Philippians and Colossians above.
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Hendriksen, William. Exposition of I and II Thessalonians. Baker, 1955.
Hiebert, D.
*Thomas, Robert L. "1, 2 Thessalonians," Expositor's Bible Commentary. Vol. 11. Zondervan, 1978.
1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
Fairbairn, Patrick. Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. Zondervan, 1956.
Hendriksen, William. Exposition of The Pastoral Epistles. Baker, 1957.
*Kent, Homer A. The Pastoral Epistles. Moody, 1982.
Simpson, E. K. The Pastoral Epistles. Tyndale, 1954.
Hebrews
Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Hebrews. NICNT, rev. ed.; Eerdmans, 1990.
Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Eerdmans, 1977.
*Kent, Homer A. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Baker, 1972.
MacArthur,
Westcott, Brooke Foss. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Eerdmans, 1970.
James
Adamson, James B. The Epistle of James. NICNT; Eerdmans, 1976.
________. James, the Man and His Message. Eerdmans, 1989.
*Hiebert, D.
Mayor, Joseph Bickersteth. The Epistle of St. James. Zondervan, 1954.
Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James. Eerdmans, 2000.
1 Peter
*Hiebert, David Edmond. First Peter. Moody, 1984.
Kistemaker, Simon J. Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and of the Epistle of Jude. Baker, 1987.
Selwin, Edward Gordon. First Epistle of St. Peter. Baker, 1981.
2 Peter, Jude
*Hiebert, David Edmond. Second Peter and Jude. Unusual Publications, 1989.
Kistemaker, Simon J. Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and of the Epistle of Jude. Baker, 1987.
Lawlor, George Lawrence. The Epistle of Jude, a Translation and Exposition. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1972.
Manton, Thomas. A Commentary on Jude. Banner of Truth, 1958.
Mayor, James B. The Epistle of St. Jude and the Second Epistle of St. Peter. Macmillan, 1907.
1, 2, 3
Candlish, Robert Smith. The First Epistle of
*Kistemaker, Simon J. Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of
Westcott, Brooke Foss. The Epistles of
Beckwith, Isbon T. The Apocalypse of
*Thomas, Robert L.
Swete, Henry Barclay. The Apocalypse of
Walvoord,
*These are entry level titles that a lay person would first add to his library. A college or seminary student would want to go beyond these titles.
Abbreviations
· ICC = International Critical Commentary
· NICNT = New International Commentary on the New Testament
· NICOT = New International Commentary on the Old Testament
· TNTC = Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
· TOTC = Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries
© James F. Stitzinger, Jr., 2007, permission is granted for non-profit educational use; any reproduction or modification should include this statement.