Best Commentaries for a Pastor’s Library

THE OLD TESTAMENT
Note: You can find the following commentaries listed by Tremper Longman III’s Old Testament Commentary Survey and D. A. Carson’s New Testament Commentary Survey. Those listed here are the ones which they list as most desirable for the pastor seeking to build a commentary library. It is recommended that pastors buy these commentaries instead of simply buying a commentary set since some volumes in a given set will not be as good as others.

GENESIS
Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis. 2 vols. New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990-1995.
Waltke, Bruce K. and Cathi J. Fredricks. Genesis: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
Wenham, Gordon. Genesis. 2 vols. Word Biblical Commentary (WBC). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1987-200.
 
EXODUS
Childs, Brevard S. The Book of Exodus. Old Testament Library (OTL). Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1974.
 
LEVITICUS
Hartley, John E. Leviticus. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992.
Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus. 3 vols. Anchor Bible (AB). New York: Doubleday, 1991-2001.
Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.
 
NUMBERS
Milgrom, Jacob. Numbers. JPS Torah Commentary. New York: Jewish Publication society, 1990.
Olson, Dennis T. Numbers. Interpretation. Louisville, KY: John Knox, 1996.
 
DEUTERONOMY
Craigie, Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976.
McConville, J. G. Deuteronomy. Apollos Old Testament Commentary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2002.
Wright, Christopher. Deuteronomy. New International Biblical Commentary (NIBC). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996.
 
JOSHUA
Butler, Trent C. Joshua. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983.
Hess, Richard S. Joshua. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC). Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 2008.
 
JUDGES
Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. New American Commentary (NAC). Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999.
 
RUTH
Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. New American Commentary (NAC). Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999.
Bush, Frederic. Ruth/Esther. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.
Hubbard, Robert L., Jr. The Book of Ruth. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.
 
1 & 2 SAMUEL
Arnold, B. T. 1 and 2 Samuel. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
Baldwin, Joyce G. 1 & 2 Samuel. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1988.
Klein, Ralph W. 1 Samuel. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983.
Youngblood, R. F. 1, 2 Samuel. EBC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.
 
1 & 2 KINGS
Cogan, Mordechai. 1 Kings. AB. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2008.
Cogan, M. and H. Tadmor. II Kings. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1988.
Hobbs, T. R. 2 Kings. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1985.
Hubbard, R. L., Jr. First and Second Kings. EBC. Moody, 1991.
Provan, Ian W. 1 and 2 Kings. NIBC. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1995.
 
1 & 2 CHRONICLES
Dillard, Raymond B. 2 Chronicles. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000.
Japhet, Sara. I & II Chronicles. OTL. Louisville, KY: Westminster, 1993.
 
EZRA & NEHEMIAH
Blenkinsopp, J. Ezra-Nehemiah. International Critical Commentary (ICC). KY: Westminster, 1988.
Fensham, F. C. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.
Kidner, D. Ezra and Nehemiah. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1979.
McConnville, J. G. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Daily Study Bible. KY: Westminster, 1985.
 
ESTHER
Bush, Frederic. Ruth/Esther. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.
Jobes, Karen H. Esther. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999.
 
JOB
Clines, David J. A. Job. 3 vols. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1989.
 
PSALMS
Mays, James L. Psalms. Interpretation. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1994.
VanGemeren, Willem A. Psalms. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (EBC). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.
Mays, J. L. Psalms. Interpretation. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1994.
 
PROVERBS
Fox, Michael V. Proverbs. 2 vols. AB. New York: Doubleday, 2000 (vol.1); New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009.
 
ECCLESIASTES
Crenshaw, J. L. Ecclesiastes. OTL. KY: Westminster, 1987.
Kidner, D. The Message of Ecclesiastes. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1976.
Longman, Tremper, III. Ecclesiastes. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.
 
SONG OF SOLOMON
Gledhill, Tom. The Message of the Song of Songs. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1994.
Keel, Othmar. Song of Songs. Continental Commentary. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994.
 
ISAIAH
Goldingay, J. Isaiah. New International Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2001.
Grogan, G. W. Isaiah. EBC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
Motyer, J. Alec. The Prophecy of Isaiah. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1994.
 
JEREMIAH
Dearman, J. A. Jeremiah/Lamentations. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
Thompson, J. A. The Book of Jeremiah. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.
 
LAMENTATIONS
Berlin, Adele. Lamentations. OTL. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
Dearman, J. A. Jeremiah/Lamentations. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
Dobbs-Allsopp, F. W. Lamentations. Interpretation. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 2002.
Provan, Iain. Lamentations. New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
 
EZEKIEL
Block, Daniel I. Ezekiel. 2 vols. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997, 1998.
Dugud, Iain M. Ezekiel. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999. Zimmerli, Walther. Ezekiel. 2 vols. Trans. E. Clements. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979, 1983.
 
DANIEL
Baldwin, Joyce G. Daniel. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2009.
Collins, John J. Daniel. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.
Goldingay, John. Daniel. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.
 
HOSEA
Andersen, Francis I. and David Noel Freedman. Hosea. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980.
Garrett, D. A. Hosea, Joel. NAC. Nashville: Broadman, 1997.
 
JOEL
Finley, T. J. Joel, Amos, Obadiah. Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Moody, 1990.
Garrett, D. A. Hosea, Joel. NAC. Nashville: Broadman, 1997.
 
AMOS
Andersen, Francis I. and David Noel Freedman. Amos. AB. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2008
Finley, T. J. Joel, Amos, Obadiah. Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Moody, 1990.
Paul, Shalom M. Amos. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991.
 
OBADIAH
Alexander, Desmond, David W. Baker, and Bruce Waltke. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1988.
Finley, T. J. Joel, Amos, Obadiah. Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Moody, 1990.
McComiskey, Thomas Edward, ed. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical & Expository Commentary, vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
 
JONAH
Alexander, Desmond, David W. Baker, and Bruce Waltke. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1988.
McComiskey, Thomas Edward, ed. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical & Expository Commentary, vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
Sasson, Jack M. Jonah. AB. New York: Doubleday, 1990.
 
MICAH
Alexander, Desmond, David W. Baker, and Bruce Waltke. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1988.
McComiskey, Thomas Edward, ed. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical & Expository Commentary, vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
 
NAHUM
McComiskey, Thomas Edward, ed. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical & Expository Commentary, vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
 
HABBAKUK
Andersen, Francis I. Habakkuk. AB. New York: Doubleday, 2001.
McComiskey, Thomas Edward, ed. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical & Expository Commentary, vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.
 
ZEPHANIAH
Berlin, A. Zephaniah. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1994.
 
HAGGAI
Meyers, Carol L. and Eric M. Meyers, Haggai, Zechariah 1-8. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1987.
Peterson, David L. Haggai and Zechariah 1–8: A Commentary. Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1984.
 
ZECHARIAH
Meyers, Carol L. and Eric M. Meyers, Haggai, Zechariah. 2 vols. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1987.
Peterson, David L. Haggai and Zechariah 1–8: A Commentary. Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1984.
 
MALACHI
Hill, A. E. Malachi. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1998.
 
THE NEW TESTAMENT
 
MATTHEW
Allison, Dale C. and W. D. Davies. Matthew. 3 vols. ICC. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1988.
Carson, D. A., Walter W. Wessel, and Mark L. Strauss. Matthew & Mark. EBC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.
Nolland, John. The Gospel of Matthew. New International Greek Testament Commentary (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
 
MARK
Brooks, James A. Mark. NAC. Nashville: Broadman, 1991.
Carson, D. A., Walter W. Wessel, and Mark L. Strauss. Matthew & Mark. EBC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.
Lane, William L. The Gospel of Mark. New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.
 
LUKE
Bock, Darrell L. Luke. 2 vols. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Luke. 2 vols. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1985, 1986.
 
JOHN
Brown, Raymond E. John. 2 vols. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1966, 1970.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
Godet, Frederic Louis. Commentary of John’s Gospel. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1978.
Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of John: A Commentary. 2 vols. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2003.
 
ACTS
Barrett, Charles K. Acts. 2 Vols. ICC. NY: T&T Clark, 1994.
Bruce, F. F. The Book of Acts. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Acts of the Apostles. AB. NY: Doubleday, 1998.
 
ROMANS
Cranfield, Charles E. B. Romans. 2 vols. ICC. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1975, 1979.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Romans. AB. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
Moo, Douglas J. The Epistle to the Romans. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
Ziesler, John. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Trinity Press International New Testament Commentaries. Philadelphia: Trinity, 1989.
 
I CORINTHIANS
Barrett, C. K. The First Epistle to the Corithians. Black’s New Testament Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2006.
Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.
Garland, David E. 1 Corinthians. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003.
Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
 
II CORINTHIANS
Hafemann, Scott J. 2 Corinthians. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Harris, Murray J. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
Matera, Frank J. II Corinthians. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.
Thrall, Margaret E. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. 2 vols. ICC. Edinburgh: Clark, 1994, 2000.
 
GALATIANS
Fung, Ronald Y. K. The Epistle to the Galatians. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.
Longenecker, Richard N. Galatians. Word Biblical Commentary, 41. Dallas: Word, 1990.
 
EPHESIANS
O’Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Ephesians. Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
 
PHILIPPIANS
Fee, Gordon D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
O’Brien, Peter T. The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
 
COLOSSIANS and PHILEMON
Garland, David E. Colossians/Philemon. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.
Harris, Murray J. Colossians & Philemon. Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
O’Brien, Peter T. Colossians, Philemon. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco: Word, 1982.
 
I, II THESSALONIANS
Bruce, Frederick F. 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Word Biblical Commentary, 45. Waco: Word, 1982.
Green, Gene L. The Letters to the Thessalonians. PNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.
Malherbe, Abraham J. The Letters to the Thessalonians. Anchor Bible, 32B. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
Marshall, I. Howard. 1 and 2 Thessalonians: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.
Wanamaker, Charles A. Commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.
 
PASTORAL EPISTLES
Johnson, Luke T. The First and Second Letters to Timothy. AB. NY: Doubleday, 2001.
Knight, George W., III. Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
Mounce, William D. Pastoral Epistles. WBC. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000.
 
HEBREWS
Attridge, Harold W. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989.
Ellingworth, Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Lane, William. Hebrews 1-8. WBC. Dallas: Word, 1991.
O’Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Hebrews. PNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010.
 
JAMES
Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James. PNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
 
I PETER
Achtemeier, Paul J. 1 Peter. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.
Jobes, Karen H. 1 Peter. NECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005.
Michaels, J. Ramsey. 1 Peter. WBC. Waco: Word, 1988.
 
II PETER and JUDE
Bauckham, Richard J. Jude, 2 Peter. WBC. Waco: Word, 1983.
 
I, II, III JOHN
Marshall, I. Howard. The Epistles of John. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978.
Schnackenburg, Rudolf. The Johannine Epistles. A Commentary. New York: Crossroad, 1992.
Strecker, Georg. The Johannine Letters. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.
 
REVELATION
Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.
Beasley-Murray, G. R. The Book of Revelation, rev. ed. New Century Bible. London: Oliphants, 1978.
Caird, George B. A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John the Divine. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. NY: Harper & Row, 1966.
Kistemaker, Simon J. Revelation. New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.
Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. Revised edition. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.