Recommended Bible Study Resources: Commentaries & Handbooks | Word Studies & Dictionaries | Software
And How to Use Them
Commentaries should be used to supplement, not substitute for, your personal Bible study. Commentaries usually contain introductory material on each book of the Bible as well as a verse by verse analysis.
How To Use Commentaries:
(1) For inductive Bible Study you would want to read the book in the Bible first and complete your Book Survey.
(2) Bible books are generally arranged in the same order in a commentary as they are in the Bible. Locate and read the introductory material on the Bible book you are studying.
(3) As you complete each Chapter Study go back to your commentaries to check and supplement your study. It is best to refer to at least two commentaries.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary, 12 Volumes orThe Expositor's Bible Commentary on CD-ROM
If I could have only one commentary set, this would be it! Although NIV based, the writers are quick to point out when a better translation of the Greek or Hebrew is appropriate. Read more about the books and CD by clicking on the hyperlinks. Screen shot (click to enlarge):
Warren Wiersbe's Be Series (Individual Books) or Warren Wiersbe's Be Collection on CD-ROM
Excellent commentaries written in Warren Wiesbe's memorable style. Though not as "scholarly" as the EBC, it is every bit as beneficial in helping one understand and apply the scriptures. All of the NT "BE" books are available in two volumes: The Bible Exposition Commentary, 2 Volumes . Old Testament "BE" books Genesis-Deuteronomy: Bible Exposition Commentary: O.T. Pentateuch OT "BE" books, the Prophets: Bible Expositon Commentary on the Major and Minor Prophets Four volumes: The Bible Exposition Set, 4 Volumes
Daily Study Bible, New Testament, 17 Volumes or The Daily Study Bible Series: New Testament on CD ROM
William Barclay's commentaries are classics for students of the Bible. His in-depth background on the culture at the time the NT books were written provides insights normally unattainable by the mere reading of the Word.
This unique commentary set provides necessary historical, social and cultural background to the passage you're reading. It is arranged in verse-by-verse format.
The charts and maps in the Tyndale Handbook of Bible Charts & Maps are grouped by Bible book and arranged in the same order as the Bible text. So, as you are studying a passage of Scripture, you can easily open the handbook and see what charts and maps are available for that portion of Scripture. There is also a comprehensive index in the back of the book if you are doing a topical study. There are two additional features which move this book way up on my list of recommended resources: first, it may be photocopied for individual or group study; second, there is a CD enclosed which offers even more capabilities than the book. The CD contains the entire New Living Translation enabling one to click on any Bible reference in the handbook text and view the corresponding NLT text. It's a great resource and under $20 to boot!
My husband was experiencing some frustration trying to associate Bible place names with their modern-day counterpart. So, for Christmas I bought him Then and Now Bible Maps . Transparent maps of modern-day Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries lie flat over Bible maps showing the lands and cities where the patriarchs, Jesus, and the apostle Paul traveled. Tremendously helpful! And my husband loves it!
[1] Strong's -- A monumental reference work containing the location of every word in the Bible, as well as noting the Greek and Hebrew words underlying the translation. More about how to use Strong's will be added at a later time.
[2] BDB Hebrew Lexicon -- Brown-Drivers-Brown Hebrew and English Lexicon. More about this book and how to use it will be added at a later time.
[3] BAGD Greek Lexicon -- Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Dankerd A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, considered the standard in New Testament lexicography. More about this book and how to use it will be added at a later time.
[4] a book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language and their definitions