OT and NT bibliography

(Posted on behalf of Steve Hays.)

I've made partial use of two sources in generating this list of OT and NT resources:

Best Commentaries

Denver Seminary: OT Bibliography and NT Bibliography

If you want to know what the abbreviations stand for, go there.

Both sources suffer from significant omissions. I've added or subtracted titles based on my own preferences. I've annotated some entries.

Due to the proliferation of commentary series, we usually have one or more good commentaries on every book of the Bible, although some books (e.g. Kings) still lack adequate commentaries. Not all the best Bible scholars live at one time, so given the number of concurrent commentary series, some commentaries merely exist to fill a slot. They don't advance our understanding of the book.

OLD TESTAMENT

Introductions

Alexander, T. D. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. Third edition. Baker, 2012. Good on literary and theological analysis.
Archer, Jr., Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Moody Publishers, 2007. Staunch, erudite defense of historicity. However, the focus on defending the Bible sometimes neglects thematic and theological analysis. Best to supplement with other introductions.
Beckwith, R. The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church. Eerdmans, 1985.
Harrison, R. K. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1969; Hendrickson, 2004. Member of the Albright school. Generally conservative. Strong on history of higher criticism. Dated.
Hess, Richard S. Israelite Religions: An Archaeological and Biblical Survey. Baker, 2007.
Hess, R. S. The Old Testament: A Historical, Critical, and Theological Introduction. Baker, 2016. Best current OT intro.
Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. Third edition. Zondervan, 2009. Detailed.
Jobes, Karen H., and Moisés Silva. Invitation to the Septuagint. Baker, 2000.
Merrill, Eugene, et al. The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament. B&H, 2011. Conservative, midlevel, up-to-date introduction.
Steinmann, Andrew. The Oracles of God: The Old Testament Canon. Concordia, 1999.
Steinman, Andrew, and R. Lessing. Prepare the Way of the Lord: An Introduction to the Old Testament. Concordia, 2013. Confessional Lutheran.

Theology
Alexander, T. D. The Servant King: The Bible's Portrait of the Messiah. Regent College Publishing, 2003.
Beale, G., and B. Gladd. Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery. IVP, 2014. Reformed. Amil.
Bock, D. L., and M. Glaser (eds.). To the Jew First: The Case for Jewish Evangelism in Scripture and History. Kregel, 2008.
Brown, M. L. Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus. Baker, 2000-2010. Five volumes.
Motyer, J. A. Look to the Rock: An Old Testament Background to Our Understanding of Christ. Kregel Academic & Professional, 1st ed., 2004.
Robertson, O. Palmer. The Christ of the Prophets.P&R Publishing, 2008.
Rydelnik, Michael. The Messianic Hope: Is the Hebrew Bible Really Messianic?. B&H, 2010.
Sailhamer, John. The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition, and Interpretation. Intervarsity Press, 2009.
Waltke, Bruce K. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach. Zondervan, 2007. Some liberal protrusions, but generally reliable. Reformed.

Historicity
Block, Daniel I., Bryan H. Cribb, and Gregory S. Smith (eds.). Israel: Ancient Kingdom or Late Invention?. B&H Academic, 2008.
Cowan, Steven, and Terry Wilder. In Defense of the Bible: A Comprehensive Apologetic for the Authority of Scripture. B&H, 2013.
Currid, John. Against the Gods: The Polemical Theology of the Old Testament. Crossway, 2013. Good supplement to Oswalt (see below).
_____. Doing Archeology in the Land of the Bible. Baker, 1999.
Hess, Richard S., Gerald A. Klingbeil, and Paul J. Ray Jr. (eds.). Critical Issues in Early Israelite History. Bulletin for Biblical Research Supplement 3. Eisenbrauns, 2008.
Hoerth, Alfred. Archaeology and the Old Testament. Baker, 1998.
Hoffmeier, James. The Archaeology of the Bible. Lion Hudson, 2008.
Hoffmeier, James, K., and Alan Millard (eds.). The Future of Biblical Archaeology: Reassessing Methodologies and Assumptions. Eerdmans, 2004.
Long, V. Philips, David W. Baker, and Gordon J. Wenham (eds.). Windows into Old Testament History: Evidence, Argument, and the Crisis of "Biblical Israel". Eerdmans, 2002.
Hoffmeier, James K., and Dennis R. Magary (eds.). Do Historical Matters Matter to Faith? A Critical Appraisal of Modern and Postmodern Approaches to Scripture. Crossway, 2012.
Kitchen, Kenneth A. On the Reliability of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 2003.
Long, V. Philips. The Art of Biblical History. Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation vol. 5. Zondervan, 1994.
Millard, Alan R., James K. Hoffmeier, and David W. Baker (eds.). Faith, Tradition, and History: Old Testament Historiography in Its Near Eastern Context. Eisenbrauns, 1994.
Oswalt, John. The Bible Among the Myths: Unique Revelation of Just Ancient Literature?. Zondervan, 2009.
Provan, I. et al. A Biblical History of Israel (WJK, 2nd ed., 2015)
Steinmann, Andrew. From Abraham to Paul: A Biblical Chronology. Concordia 2011.

Genesis
Collins, J. Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 (2018). Astute exegetical defense of old-earth creationism.
Currid, John D. Genesis. 2 Vols. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2003. Popular. Fairly detailed. Good commentary for laymen, although pastors and scholars can benefit from reading it too.
Mathews, Kenneth A. Genesis 1-11:26. NAC. Broadman, 1996. Genesis 11:27-50:26. NAC. Broadman, 2005. Best all around commentary on Genesis. Conservative. Detailed.
Sailhamer, John H. "Genesis" in Genesis-Leviticus. REBC. Zondervan, 2008. Good on intertextuality and prophecy.
Steinmann, A. Genesis (2019). Conservative, fairly full commentary.
Waltke, Bruce K. Genesis: A Commentary. Zondervan, 2001. Strong on thematic and theological analysis, weak on comparative mythology.
Walton, John H. Genesis. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2001. A mixed bag: On the plus side, contains independent exegesis. Well-researched. Some of his interpretations are persuasive. On the minus side, tries to graft a cosmic temple interpretation onto an ancient science interpretation. Posits false dichotomy between material and functional origins. Suffers from parallelomania. Thins out after chaps. 1-11.
Young, E. J. In The Beginning: Genesis 1-3 and the Authority of Scripture. Banner of Truth, 1976. Popular defense and exposition of Gen 1-3. Good for laymen.

Honorable mention:
Arnold, Bill T. Genesis. NCBC. Cambridge, 2009. Well-researched, but liberal.
Hamilton, Victor. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1990. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 18-50. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1995. Strong on linguistics.

Forthcoming:
Alexander, T. D. Genesis in BTCPC
Duane A. Garrett in KEL.
Richard S. Hess in TTT.
Stephen G. Dempster in HMSOT.

Exodus
Alexander, T. D. Exodus (Baker 2016). Useful if somewhat skimpy and obvious at times.
Alexander, T. D. Exodus (2017). Massive, magisterial, seasoned commentary. Takes the supernaturalism of the book seriously.
Currid, John D. Exodus. 2 Vols. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2000. Same virtues as his commentary on Genesis.
Garrett, D. A Commentary on Exodus (Kregel 2014). Outstanding introduction. Generally wise, seasoned exegesis. Along with Stuart, one of the two best commentaries on Exodus.
Hamilton, Victor P. Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary. Baker Academic, 2011. Detailed. Strong on linguistics and exegesis.
Mackay, John L. Exodus. MOT. Mentor, 2001. Reformed. Good for pastors and laymen.
Stuart, Douglas K. Exodus. NAC 2. Broadman & Holman, 2006. Strong on all fronts.

Honorable mention:
Durham, J.I. Exodus. WBC. Word, 1987. Liberal, but careful exegesis of individual verses.
Enns, Peter P. Exodus. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2000. Good thematic analysis. He was disguising his liberal sympathies, although that sometimes surfaces.

Forthcoming:
Duane A. Garrett in KEL ~ 2014.
Christopher J. H. Wright in SoGBC.

Leviticus
Currid, John D. Leviticus. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2005. May be best general commentary on Leviticus.
Hartley, J. Leviticus. WBC. Word, 1992. Detailed.
Hess, Richard S. "Leviticus," pp. 563-826 in T. Longman III and D. E. Garland (eds.) The Expositor's Bible Commentary Revised Edition 1: Genesis–Leviticus. Zondervan, 2008. By a fine evangelical OT scholar.
Ross, Allen P. Holiness to the LORD: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. Strong on theology.

Honorable mention:
Wenham, G.J. The Book of Leviticus. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1979. Excellent, but somewhat overtaken by later competition.

Forthcoming:
Averbeck, Richard in EEC ~ 2017.
Shepherd, Jerry in SoGBC.
Wenger, Paul in BTCPC.

Numbers
Ashley, T. R. The Book of Numbers. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1993. Detailed.
Currid, John D. Numbers. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2009. Best all around commentary on Numbers.
Duguid, Iain M. Numbers: God's Presence in the Wilderness. PtW. Crossway Books, 2006. Popular. Sermonic.
Harrison, R. K. Numbers. WEC. Moody Press, 1990. Strong on historicity and linguistics.

Forthcoming:
Averbeck, Richard in BTCPC.
Collins, C. John in HMSOT.

Deuteronomy
Block, Daniel I. Deuteronomy. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2012. One of the best commentaries. However, the series format prevents verse by verse exegesis. And the application section bleeds space away from exegesis.
Currid, John D. Deuteronomy. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2006. Best commentary on Deuteronomy.
Merrill, Eugene H. Deuteronomy. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 1994. Conservative. Strong on linguistics. Less detailed than Currid.

Honorable mention:
Block, D. The Gospel according to Moses: Theological and Ethical Reflections on the Book of Deuteronomy (Wipf & Stock 2012).
Block, D. How I Love Your Torah, O LORD!: Studies in the Book of Deuteronomy (Wipf & Stock Pub 2011).
Craigie, P.C. The Book of Deuteronomy. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1976. Was a landmark commentary. Has been superseded by later entries.
McConville, J. Gordon. Deuteronomy. AOTC 5. Leicester: Apollos; Downers Grove: IVP, 2002. Useful verse by verse exegesis.
Wright, Christopher J. H. Deuteronomy. New International Biblical Commentary. Hendrickson, 1996. Excellent popular commentary.

Forthcoming:
Grisanti, Michael A. in MOT/TTT.
Mathews, Kenneth in BTCPC.

Joshua
Butler, T. Joshua1-12. Joshua 13-24. 2 vols. WBC 7A and 7B. (Word, 2nd. ed., 2014). Detailed. Something of a commentary on commentaries.
Currid, John D. Strong and Courageous: Joshua Simply Explained. WCS. Evangelical Press, 2010. Good for laymen.
Hubbard, Robert L. Joshua. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2009. Best commentary on Joshua.
Hess, R. S. Joshua: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC. IVP, 1996. Conservative. Informed by archeology. Somewhat dated as well as stymied by space constraints.
Matthews, Kenneth. Joshua (Baker 2016). Seasoned conservative scholarship.

Forthcoming:
Robert L. Hubbard, and Malcolm M. Clark in FOTL.

Judges
Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. NAC 6. Broadman, 1999.
Butler, Trent. Judges. WBC 8. Thomas Nelson, 2009.
Chisholm Jr., Robert B. A Commentary on Judges and Ruth. KEL. Kregel Academic & Professional, 2013.
Way, Kenneth. Judges and Ruth (Baker 2016). Thoughtful. Well-researched.
Webb, Barry G. The Book of Judges. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2012.
Younger, K. Lawson, Jr. Judges/Ruth. NIVAC Zondervan, 2002.

Forthcoming:
Duguid, Iain in BTCPC.
Hubbard, Robert L., Clark, and Malcolm M. in FOTL.

Ruth
Block, Daniel I. See under Judges.
Hubbard, Robert L., Jr. The Book of Ruth. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1988.
Duguid, Iain M. Esther and Ruth. REC. P&R, 2005. Popular. Sermonic.
Younger, K. Lawson, Jr. Judges/Ruth. NIVAC.

1 & 2 Samuel
Arnold, Bill T. 1 & 2 Samuel. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2003.
Chisholm, Jr., Robert B. 1 & 2 Samuel. HMSOT. Baker 2013. Conservative, popular.
Steinmann, A. 1-2 Samuel (Concordia 2017). Detailed. Scholarly, Confessional Lutheran.
Tsumura, David T. The First Book of Samuel. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2007. Conservative, strong on textual exegesis.
Tsumura, D. The Second Book of Samuel (2019). Detailed. Strong on lexical semantics.
Vannoy, J. Robert. 1 & 2 Samuel. CBC. Tyndale House Publishers, 2009. Popular. Strong on theology.
Youngblood, Ronald F. "1/2 Samuel" in 1 Samuel-2 Kings. REBC. Zondervan, 2010.

Honorable mention:
Firth, David G. 1 and 2 Samuel. AOTC 8. Apollos and InterVarsity, 2009.

Forthcoming:
Daniel I. Block in BCBC.
David Toshio Tsumura in NICOT.

1 & 2 Kings
Provan, Iain W. 1 and 2 Kings. NIBC. Hendrickson, 1995. Thoughtful. Sometimes original. Hampered by space constraints.
Wiseman, Donald J. 1 and 2 Kings. IVP, 1993. Conservative. Strong on historicity. Stymied by space constraints.

Forthcoming:
Richard S. Hess in NICOT.
John N. Oswalt in EEC ~ 2016.

1 & 2 Chronicles
Hill, Andrew E. 1 & 2 Chronicles. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2003.
Merrill, Eugene. A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles (Kregel 2015). Best current commentary.
Pratt, Richard L. 1 & 2 Chronicles. MOT. Mentor, 1997. Fairly detailed. Strong on theology.
Thompson, John A. 1 and 2 Chronicles. NAC. Broadman, 1995. Scholarly, although the nature of the series forces him to skimp on many verses.

Forthcoming:
Smith, Gary in BTCPC.

Ezra & Nehemiah
Smith, Gary V. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. CBC. Tyndale House Publishers, 2010.
Steinmann, Andrew E. Ezra and Nehemiah. CC. Concordia Publishing House, 2010.
Yamauchi, Edwin. "Ezra/Nehemiah" in 1 Chronicles--Job. REBC. Zondervan, 2010. By an outstanding evangelical scholar and specialist on the Persian period.

Honorable mention:
Clines, D.J.A. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. NCB. Eerdmans, 1984. By a top scholar. But liberal. Somewhat dated. Hampered by space constraints.

Forthcoming:
Mark Futato in HMSOT.

Esther
Jobes, Karen J. Esther. NIV Application Bible. Zondervan, 1999.

Job
Clines, David J. A. Job. 3 Vols. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 2009. Verse by verse exegesis by a world-class Hebraist. But he's liberal, so not reliable for theological analysis.
Longman III, Tremper. Job. BCOTWP. Baker Academic, 2012.
Smick, Elmer B., and Tremper Longman III. "Job" in 1 Chronicles--Job. REBC. Zondervan, 2010.
Walton, John H. Job. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2012.

Honorable mention:
Hartley, J. Job. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1988.
Seow, C. L. Job 1-21: Interpretation and Commentary (Eerdmans 2013). Strong on philology and history of reception.

Forthcoming:
Garrett, Duane A. in EEC ~ 2019.
Webb, Barry in BTCPC.

Psalms
deClaissé-Walford, Nancy, Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner. The Book of Psalms. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2014. Useful, but limited outlook.
Motyer, Alec. Journey: Psalms for Pilgrim People. IVP 2009. Popular. Devotional.
_____. Treasures of the King: Psalms from the Life of David. IVP 2007. Popular. Devotional.
Robertson, O. Palmer. Psalms in Congregational Celebration. Evangelical Press 1995. Popular. Devotional.
Ross, Allen. A Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 1: 1-41. KEL. Kregel Academic & Professional, 2012.
Ross, Allen. A Commentary on the Psalms: Volume 2: 42-89. KEL. Kregel Academic & Professional, 2013.
Ross, Allen. A Commentary on the Psalms: Volume 3: 90-150. KEL. Kregel Academic, 2014. Outstanding on all fronts. The first choice.
Tucker, W. Dennis, and Jamie A. Grant. Psalms Volume 2 in The NIV Application Commentary.
VanGemeren, Willem A. Psalms. REBC. Zondervan, 2008. Reformed. Seasoned, detailed exposition.
Waltke, Bruce, and J. Houston. The Psalms as Christian Worship: An Historical Commentary. Eerdmans 2010.
_____. The Psalms as Christian Lament. Eerdmans 2014. Exegesis of select Psalms. Pity that Waltke never published a commentary on the Psalter. Houston's contribution is a waste of space.
Wenham, Gordon. The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms. Crossway, 2013.
_____. Psalms as Torah: Reading Biblical Song Ethically. Baker Academic, 2012.
Young, E. J. The Way Everlasting: A Study of Psalm 139. Banner of Truth 1997. Popular. Devotional.

Honorable mention:
Craigie, P. Psalms 1-50. WBC. Word, 1983. At the time a landmark commentary. Superseded by newer competition.
Goldingay, John. Psalms (3 volume set). 3 Vols. BCOTWP. Baker Academic, 2008. Liberal. Erudite. Useful for exegeting individual verses. Not a reliable theological guide.

Forthcoming:
Hamilton, James in BTCPC.
Longman III, Tremper in TOTC ~ 2014.
Jerry Shepherd in NAC.
Gordon J. Wenham in AOT.

Proverbs
Longman III, Tremper. Proverbs. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Baker, 2005. Basically a distillation of Waltke.
Steinmann, Andrew E. Proverbs. CC. Concordia Publishing House, 2009. Conservative, detailed, Lutheran.
Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs Chapters 1-15, and The Book of Proverbs Chapters 15-31. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2004 and 2005. Reformed. The standard of comparison.

Ecclesiastes
Bartholomew, Craig G. Ecclesiastes. BCOTWP. Baker, 2009. Existentially and theologically probing.
Fredericks, Daniel. Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs. AOT. IVP Academic, 2010. May have the best interpretive orientation concerning Ecclesiastes.
Provan, Iain. Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2001. Thoughtful. To some extent a corrective to Longman. But the interpretive orientation is still off-center.

Honorable mention:
Garrett, Duane A. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. NAC. Nashville: Broadman, 1993. Conservative, but stymied by space constraints.
Longman III, Tremper. Ecclesiastes. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1997. Useful for exegeting individual verses, but his interpretive orientation is fundamentally misguided.

Song of Songs
Garrett, Duane, and Paul R. House. Song of Songs/Lamentations. WBC 23B. Nelson, 2004.
Hamilton, James. Song of Songs: A Biblical-Theological, Allegorical, Christological Interpretation (CF 2015). Tries to refurbish traditional interpretation. Unconvincing but useful for incidental insights.
Hess, Richard S. Song of Songs. BCOTWP. Baker, 2005.
Longman, Tremper, III. Song of Songs. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2001.

Forthcoming:
Iain M. Duguid in TOTC ~ 2015.

Isaiah
Bock, Darrell, and Mitch Glaser. The Gospel According to Isaiah 53: Encountering the Suffering Servant in Jewish and Christian Theology. Kregel 2012.
Mackay, John L. Isaiah: Volume 1 - Chapters 1-39. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2008.
Mackay, John L. Isaiah: Volume 2 - Chapters 40-66. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2009. Reformed. Good for pastors and laymen.
Motyer, J. Alec. The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary. InterVarsity, 1993. One of the best commentaries on Isaiah. Among other things, Motyer is a specialist on Messianic prophecy–which serves him well on Isaiah.
Smith, G. V. Isaiah 1-39, Isaiah 40-66. NAC 15A, 15B. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2007, 2009. Best general commentary on Isaiah. Conservative. Detailed.

Honorable mention:
Goldingay, John, and David Payne. Isaiah 40-55, volume 1. ICC. T. & T. Clark, 2006. Liberal. Exhaustive. Extremely technical. Useful for exegeting individual verses. Theologically askew.
Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah. 2 volumes. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1986, 1998. Excellent commentary. Hard to find a niche among the current competition.
Young, Edward J. Isaiah. 3 Vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1969. A monument to sanctified scholarship. Young was a phenomenal linguist and redoubtable defender of Biblical inspiration. However, he's not an especially deft exegete.

Forthcoming:
Collins, John in BTCPC.

Jeremiah
Brown, Michael. "Jeremiah" in Jeremiah--Ezekiel. REBC. Zondervan, 2010. By a Messianic Jew. Thorough and thoughtful.
Craigie, Peter C., Page H. Kelley, and Joel F. Drinkard, Jr. Jeremiah 1-25. WBC. Dallas: Word, 1991. Craigie only got through the first seven chapters before his untimely demise. The other two scholars are not in his league.
Feinberg, Charles Lee. Jeremiah: A Commentary. Zondervan 1983. By a Messianic Jew and classic dispensationalist. Detailed exegesis. Quite useful.
Longman III, Tremper. Jeremiah, Lamentations. NIBC. Hendrickson/Paternoster, 2008. Good, recent, midrange commentary.
Mackay, John L. Jeremiah. 2 Vols. MOT. Mentor, 2004. Reformed. Good for pastors and laymen.

Honorable mention:
Thompson, John A. The Book of Jeremiah. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1980. Long a scholarly evangelical mainstay. Somewhat overtaken by later competitors.

Forthcoming:
Dempster, Stephen in BTCPC.
Hubbard, Robert in NICOT.

Lamentations
Mackay, John L. Lamentations. MOT. Mentor, 2008. Reformed. Good for pastors and laymen.
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Lamentations: Honest to God. BST. IVP Academic, 2015. Always insightful.

Forthcoming:
Hubbard, Robert L. in NICOT.

Ezekiel
Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel. 2 volumes. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1997, 1998. Perhaps the best in-depth commentary on Ezekiel. Amil.
Duguid, Iain M. Ezekiel. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1999. Popular. Amil. Reformed. Good for pastors and laymen.
Hummel, Horace D. Ezekiel 1-20. CC. Concordia Publishing House, 2005.
Hummel, Horace D. Ezekiel 21-48. CC. Concordia Publishing House, 2007. By a confessional Lutheran. Student of Albright. Leaves few stones unturned. Sometimes strains to see Jesus where he's not to be found.

Honorable mention:
Allen, Leslie C. Ezekiel 1-19, 20-48. WBC, 2 vols. Waco: Word Books, 1990. Useful exegesis, but less detailed or conservative than Block or Hummel.
Block, D. Beyond the River Chebar: Studies in Kingship and Eschatology in the Book of Ezekiel (James Clarke & Co 2014).
Block, D. By the River Chebar: Historical, Literary, and Theological Studies in the Book of Ezekiel (Wipf & Stock 2013).
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Ezekiel. BST. InterVarsity Press, 2001. Popular. Good for laymen.

Daniel
Archer Jr., Gleason L. "Daniel" in Daniel and the Minor Prophets. EBC. Zondervan, 1985. Archer was a fabulous linguist. Defends the historicity and prescience of Daniel. Premil.
Duguid, Iain M. Daniel. REC. P&R 2008. Popular. Sermonic.
Greidanus, S. Preaching Christ from Daniel (Eerdmans 2012).
Hamilton, James. With the Clouds of Heaven: The Book of Daniel in Biblical Theology. IVP 2014. Not a commentary.
Longman III, Tremper. Daniel. NIVAC. Zondervan, 1999. Useful, popular exposition. Longman is a fence-straddler.
Steinmann, Andrew E. Daniel. CC. Concordia Publishing House, 2008. Best current commentary on Daniel. Conservative. Detailed. Confessional Lutheran. Sometimes projects Jesus onto the text. Since, however, the book is Messianic, he's usually on target.

Honorable mention:
Collins, John J. Daniel. Hermeneia. Fortress, 1993. Learned liberal. Useful for exegeting individual verses.
Davis, Dale R. The Message of Daniel (IVP 2013). Popular.
Goldingay, John. Daniel. WBC. Waco: Word Books, 1989. Learned liberal.
Young, Edward J. The Prophecy of Daniel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1949. A classic. Was a landmark commentary at the time. Scholarly. Reformed. Amil. Published before D. J. Wiseman deciphered and published some important primary source material.

Minor Prophets
Duguid, Iain M. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. EPSC. Evangelical Press, 2010. Popular.
McComiskey, Thomas Edward (ed.). The Minor Prophets, an Exegetical and Expository Commentary. 3 Volume Set. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992. Uneven but outstanding set.
Merrill, Eugene H. Haggai. Zechariah, Malachi - An Exegetical Commentary. aEC. Biblical Studies Press, 2003. Strong on linguistics. Dispensational.
Patterson, Richard D. "Nahum" in Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah - An Exegetical Commentary. aEC. Biblical Studies Press, 2003. Strong on linguistics.
Robertson, O. Palmer. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. Strong on theology.
Smith, Gary V. Hosea, Amos, Micah. NIVAC. Zondervan, 2001.
Stuart, Douglas. Hosea - Jonah. WBC. Waco: Word Books, 1987. Exceptional. Pity it only covers Part 1.
Stuart, Douglas. The Minor Prophets. TTT (forthcoming). This will cover Part 2, but in less detail.

Hosea
Dearman, J. Andrew. The Book of Hosea. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2010.
Garrett, Duane A. Hosea, Joel. NAB. Broadman & Holman, 1997.
Mackay, John L. Hosea: A Mentor Commentary. MOT. Mentor, 2012. Good for laymen.

Joel
Robertson, O. Palmer. Prophet of the Coming Day: The Message of Joel. WCS. Evangelical Press, 1996. Popular. Reformed. Cessationist.

Amos
Smith, Gary V. Amos. MOT. Mentor, 1999.

Obadiah
Block, Daniel I. Obadiah: The Kingship Belongs to YHWH. HMSOT. Zondervan, 2014.

Jonah
Alexander, T.D. Jonah. TOTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1988. Excellent so far as it goes. Hampered by space constraints.
Robertson, O. Palmer. Jonah: A Study in Compassion. Banner of Truth, 1990. Popular. Strong on theology.
Walton, John H. "Jonah" in Daniel-Malachi. REBC. Zondervan, 2009.

Honorable mention:
Estelle, B. Salvation Through Judgment and Mercy: The Gospel According to Jonah (P&R 2005).
Youngblood, K. Jonah: God's Scandalous Mercy (Zondervan 2014).

Micah
Waltke, Bruce K. A Commentary on Micah. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007. A well-nigh definitive commentary.

Forthcoming:
Dempster, Stephen.

Habakkuk
Currid, John. The Expectant Prophet: Habakkuk Simply Explained. Evangelical Press 2009. Popular.

Zechariah
Unger, Merrill. Zechariah: Prophet of Messiah's Glory. Zondervan 1985. By a fine OT scholar. Classic dispensational.

NEW TESTAMENT

Introduction
Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. 2nd ed. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2009.
Blomberg, Craig L. From Pentecost to Patmos: An Introduction to Acts through Revelation. Nashville: B & H, 2006
Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. 2nd ed. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
Ellis, E. E. The Making of the New Testament Documents. Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. InterVarsity Press, 1990. Somewhat dated, but solid scholarship up to the time of publication. Enduring value.
Hill, C. E. Who Chose the Gospels?. Oxford 2010.
Jobes, Karen H. Letters to the Church: A Survey of Hebrews and the General Epistles. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The Cradle, The Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville: B&H, 2009.
Metzger, Bruce M. New Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content. Abingdon Press, 2003.
Metzger, Bruce M. The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance. Oxford University Press, 1997.
McDonald, Lee Martin, and Stanley E. Porter. Early Christianity and Its Sacred Literature. Hendrickson Publishers, 2000. Porter's contributions are more important than McDonald's. McDonald is fairly liberal. Unreliable on canonics.
Porter, Stanley E. How We Got the New Testament: Text, Transmission, Translation. ASBT. Baker Academic, 2013.
Provan, Iain. The Reformation and the Right Reading of Scripture. Baylor University Press, 2017.

Textual Criticism
The Greek New Testament. Produced at Tyndale House, Cambridge by ESV Bibles by Crossway (2017).
Metzger, Bruce M. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. United Bible Societies, 2005.
Metzger, Bruce M., and Bart Ehrman. The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration. 4th ed. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Wegner, Paul D. A Student's Guide to Textual Criticism of the Bible: Its History, Methods and Results. Downers Grove: IVP, 2006.

Historical background
Barnett, Paul. Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity (Downers Grove: IVP, 1999).
Bauckham, R. Jesus and the Eyewitnesses (Eerdmans, 2nd ed., 2017).
Blomberg, Craig L. The Historical Reliability of the New Testament (Nashville: B&H, 2016).
Bruce, F. F. New Testament History (Doubleday, 1980).
Carson, D.A., ed. The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures (Eerdmans, 2016).
Evans, Craig A., and Stanley E. Porter (eds.). Dictionary of New Testament Background. Downers Grove: IVP, 2000.
Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. Between History and Spirit: The Apostolic Witness of the Book of Acts, 2020.
_____. Christobiography. (Eerdmans 2019)
_____. The IVP Biblical Background Commentary: New Testament. 2nd ed. Downers Grove: IVP, 2013.
McGrew, Lydia. The Eye of the Beholder (forthcoming).
_____. Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts (DeWard, 2017).
_____. The Mirror or the Mask (DeWard 2019).
Porter, Stanley. John, His Gospel, and Jesus (Eerdmans, 2016).
Williams, Peter. Can We Trust the Gospels? (Crossway 2018).

Theology
Alexander, T. D. From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology. Kregel 2009.
Beale, G. K. A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.
Rudolph, David, and Joel Willitts. Introduction to Messianic Judaism: Its Ecclesial Context and Biblical Foundations. Zondervan 2013.
Schreiner, Thomas R. New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.
_____. Paul: Apostle of God's Glory in Christ. Downers Grove: IVP, 2001.
_____. The King in His Beauty: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Baker 2013. Basically, a thematic and theological introduction to every book of the Bible. Useful for laymen or new Christians.
Thielman, Frank. New Testament Theology: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
Thiselton, Anthony C. The Living Paul: An Introduction to the Apostle's Life and Thought. Downers Grove: IVP, 2009.
Wenham, David. Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.

Hermeneutics
Beale, G. K. Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: Exegesis and Interpretation. Baker 2012.
_____. The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism. Crossway 2008.
Blomberg, Craig L., and Jennifer F. Markley. Handbook of New Testament Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010.
Blomberg, Craig. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels. 2nd edition. IVP, 2007.
_____. Interpreting the Parables. IVP 2012.
Bock, Darrell L., and Buist M. Fanning (eds.). Interpreting the New Testament Text. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006.
Carson, Donald A. Exegetical Fallacies. 2nd edition. Baker Academic, 1996.
Cotterell, Peter, and Max Turner. Linguistics and Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1989.
Fee, Gordon, and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 4th edition. Zondervan, 2014.
Frame, J. Doctrine of the Word of God (P&R 2010).
Kruger, Michael. Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the New Testament Books (Crossway 2012).
_____. The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate (IVP 2013).
Michaels, J. Ramsey. Interpreting the Book of Revelation (Guides to New Testament Exegesis). Baker, 1998.
Pennington, Jonathan. Reading the Gospels Wisely. Baker, 2012.
Porter, Stanley E., and Jason C. Robinson. Hermeneutics: An Introduction to Interpretive Theory. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011. Philosophical.
Porter, Stanley E., and Beth M. Stovell. Biblical Hermeneutics: Five Views. Downers Grove: IVP, 2012.
Poythress, V. Inerrancy and the Gospels. Crossway, 2012.
Ryken, Leland. Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible. 2nd edition. Baker, 1993.
Schreiner, Thomas. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles. 2nd edition. Baker, 2011.
Silva, Moisés. Biblical Words and Their Meaning: An Introduction to Lexical Semantics. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
Stein, Robert. A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible: Playing by the Rules. 2nd edition. Baker, 2011.
_____. Interpreting Puzzling Texts in the New Testament. Baker 1996.

Matthew
Carson, D. A. "Matthew," in EBC, rev., vol. 9, 23-670. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. One of the best. Strong on historicity, exegesis, and theology. Reformed Baptist.
Chamblin, Knox. Matthew. 2 Vols. MNT. Mentor, 2010. Theologically probing. Reformed Presbyterian.
Evans, Craig A. Matthew (NCBC). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Good grasp of background material. Midlevel commentary.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007. One of the best. Judicious and detailed. Some weaknesses: preterizes Olivet Discourse; inclines to annihilationism.
Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. Strong on historicity. Despite its size, not a verse-by-verse commentary. Can be hard to find the interpretation through the thicket of background material.
Nolland, John. The Gospel of Matthew (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005. Standard commentary on the Greek text. Generally conservative. Reasonable interpretations.
Turner, David L. Matthew (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. Dispensational. Midlevel commentary.

Honorable mention:
Davies, W. D., and Dale C. Allison, Jr. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, 3 vols. (ICC, rev.). Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1988-97. Liberal. Strong on linguistics. Some of the background material is just a distraction.
Hagner, Donald A. Matthew, 2 vols. (WBC). Dallas: Word, 1993-95. Somewhat overtaken by more recent entries, but generally good, detailed exegesis.

Forthcoming:
John P. Meier in AYB. Liberal Catholic. Might be useful in Protestant apologetics.
Pennington, Jonathan in PNTC.
Charles L. Quarles in EGGNT. Should be strong on historicity.
Joel Willitts in NCCS. Might be informed by his interest in Messianic Judaism.

Mark
Bock, D. The Gospel of Mark (Tyndale House 2006). Bound with Turner's commentary on Matthew. A popular commentary by a premier evangelical Synoptic scholar.
Bock, Darrell. Mark (Cambridge U. 2015). Seasoned midlevel commentary.
Evans, Craig A. Mark 8:27-16:20 (WBC). Nashville: Nelson, 2001. Detailed. Strong on linguistics and background material. Pity he didn't comment on the first half as well.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. Standard commentary on the Greek text.
Stein, Robert H. Mark (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. Best commentary on Mark. Detailed, judicious. Gives up too easily on some problem passages.

Honorable mention:
Gundry, Robert H. Mark: A Commentary on His Apology for the Cross. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. Somewhat eccentric, but detailed, independent. Useful interaction with opposing viewpoints.
Hurtado, L. Mark (Hendrickson 1989).
Witherington III, Ben. The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. SRC. Eerdmans, 2001. One of his better entries. Midlevel commentary.

Luke
Bock, Darrell L. Luke, 2 vols. (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994-96. Although somewhat dated, this remains the first choice for commentaries on Luke. Sensible, conservative. Leaves few stones unturned.
France, R. T. Luke (TTC). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013. Conservative, judicious, popular. Good commentary for laymen–although pastors and scholars can benefit from reading it, too.

Honorable mention:
Evans, C. F. St. Luke (WJK 2008). Liberal. Good on linguistics and literary allusions.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Gospel According to Luke, 2 vols. Garden City: Doubleday, 1981-85. By a learned liberal. Detailed.
Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke (NICNT, rev.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Theologically probing.
Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978. Standard commentary on the Greek text. Good on historicity. Somewhat dated.
Nolland, John. Luke, 3 vols. (WBC). Dallas: Word, 1990-93. Detailed verse-by-verse exegesis.

Forthcoming:
Loveday Alexander in BNTC. Should be strong on historicity.
Richard J. Bauckham in ICC. Bauckham writes landmark commentaries. Should be fairly strong on historicity. Theologically moderate.
James R. Edwards in PNTC.
Stanley E. Porter in EEC ~ 2016. Should be erudite and generally conservative.

John
Bruce, F. F. The Gospel of John: Introduction, Exposition, Notes. Eerdmans 1994. Good commentary for laymen.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991. Best all around commentary. Strong on historicity, exegesis, theology. Reformed Baptist.
Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of John: A Commentary, 2 vols. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2003. Strong on historicity. Generally perceptive interpretation. Gets bogged down on somewhat extraneous background material.
Klink, Edward W. III. John (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016. Detailed. Good on historical background. Exegesis uneven but often good.
Köstenberger. Andreas. Encountering John: The Gospel in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective. Baker. 2nd. ed., 2013. Good for lay, small-group Bible studies.
Michaels, J. Ramsey. The Gospel of John (NICNT, rev.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010. Outstanding theological analysis. Strong on intertextuality within John's Gospel. Thin on historicity.
Ridderbos, Herman L. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Theologically probing, although he sometimes strays from his Dutch-Reformed roots.

Honorable mention:
Blomberg, Craig L. The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel: Issues and Commentary. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2001. Part commentary, part defense of historicity.
Köstenberger, Andreas. John (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004. A very competent commentary, but it often reads like a paraphrase of Carson.
Lincoln, Andrew. The Gospel According to St. John (BNTC) Hendrickson 2005. Theologically perceptive. Weak on historicity. Midlevel commentary.

Forthcoming:
Richard J. Bauckham in NIGTC. Should break new ground.
Murray J. Harris in EGGNT.

Acts
Bock, Darrell L. Acts (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007. A very fine commentary–as far as it goes. Disappointing that it's so much briefer than his commentary on Luke.
Keener, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, 4 vols. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012. Encyclopedic. Not for the faint of heart. Strong on historicity.
Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. PNTC. Eerdmans, 2009. A seasoned commentary. One of the best.
Schnabel, Eckhard J. Acts (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. Detailed. Nicely formatted. Missionary emphasis.

Honorable mention:
Alexander, Loveday C. A. Acts in Its Ancient Literary Context. New York: T & T Clark, 2008. Defends historicity.
Barrett, C. K. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, 2 vols. (ICC, rev.). Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1994-98. Liberal, detailed. Strong on linguistics, literary allusions, background material.
Bruce, F. F. The Book of the Acts (NICNT). 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988. Classic commentary on the Greek text.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Acts of the Apostles (AB, rev.). New York: Doubleday, 1998. Liberal. Informative. Less detailed than his commentary on Luke.
Hemer, Colin J. The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History. Conrad Gempf (ed.). Tübingen: Mohr (Siebeck), 1989. Defends historicity.
Longenecker, Richard N. "Acts," in EBC, rev., vol. 10, 663-1102. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007.
Porter, Stanley E. Paul in Acts. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2001.
Winter, Bruce W. (ed.). The Book of Acts in Its First-Century Setting, 5 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993-96.

Forthcoming:
Loveday Alexander in BNTC. Should be strong on historicity.
Richard J. Bauckham in THNTC. Should be informative. Midlevel commentary.
Joel B. Green in NICNT.
Stanley E. Porter in NIGTC. Should be outstanding.
J. B. Lightfoot ~ 2014. Based on newly discovered MSS. Should be interesting to compare with later commentaries which didn't have the benefit of his scholarship.

Romans
Longenecker, Richard (Eerdmans 2016). The Epistle to the Romans. Detailed, but doesn't break much new ground.
Moo, D. Romans (2nd, ed., 2018). Revision and expansion of his classic commentary. One of the two best.
Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. Best commentary on Romans. Reformed Baptist.
Schreiner, T. Romans (2nd. ed., 2018). Revision and expansion of his classic commentary. If you only own one commentary on Romans, this is it.
Thielman, F. Romans (2018). A disappointment. It's not a bad commentary, per se, but it's a letdown, and there are better commentaries, e.g. Schreiner, Moo.

Honorable mention:
Barnett, Paul. Romans: Revelation of God's Righteousness. FB. Christian Focus Publications, 2003. Good commentary for laymen.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Romans (AB). New York: Doubleday, 1993. Erudite. Although Catholic, sometimes sides with classic Protestant interpretations.
Jewett, Robert. Romans (Hermeneia). Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007. Liberal. Detailed.
Kruse, Colin G. Paul's Letter to the Romans (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012. More up to date than Schreiner. However, much of the time Kruse merely quotes or summarizes other scholars. Not much originality.
Murray, John. The Epistle to the Romans. Eerdmans, 1960. Classic. Reformed Presbyterian.
Wright, N. T. "The Letter to the Romans" in NIB, vol. 10, 393-770. Nashville: Abingdon, 2002. New Perspective on Paul. Readable. Sometimes sensible, sometimes imperious.

Forthcoming:
I. Howard Marshall and Stephen Williams in THNTC. Marshall is the elder statesman of Arminian NT scholars.
Peterson, David in BTCPC.
Stanley E. Porter in BHGNT. Should be stimulating.

1 Corinthians
Ciampa, Roy E., and Brian S. Rosner. The First Letter to the Corinthians (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010. One of the best. Detailed.
Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT, rev.). 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014. Maybe the first choice. Egalitarian, charismatic bias.
Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians (Eerdmans, rev. ed. 2014.) Still a first-rate commentary, but minimal revision. Egalitarian, charismatic bias.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. First Corinthians (AB, rev.). New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008. Informative.
Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Standard commentary on the Greek text. The primitive formatting and many digressions makes it hard to locate his interpretation.

Forthcoming:
E. Earle Ellis in ICC. Died before completing the commentary.
Charles A. Wanamaker in RRA.

2 Corinthians
Barnett, Paul. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT, rev.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. By an evangelical Anglican and Classicist.
Harris, Murray J. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005. Magisterial commentary on the Greek text.
Seifried, M. The Second Letter to the Corinthians (Eerdmans 2014). Evangelical. Detailed.

Forthcoming:
Philip H. Towner in THNTC.
Bruce W. Winter in ZEC.

Galatians
Das, A. Andrew. Galatians (CC). St. Louis: Concordia, 2014. Magisterial Lutheran commentary.
Fee, Gordon D. Galatians (PCS). Blandford Forum, Dorset: Deo, 2007. Popular. Good commentary for laymen–although pastors and scholars can benefit from reading it, too.
Keener, C. Galatians: A Commentary (2019). Exhibits his usual virtues.
Moo, Douglas J. Galatians (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013. One of the best.
Schreiner, Thomas R. Galatians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. One of the best. Reformed Baptist.

Honorable mention:
Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982. Classic commentary on the Greek text.
Longenecker, Richard N. Galatians (WBC). Dallas: Word, 1990. Somewhat superseded by more recent competition.

Forthcoming:
Donald A. Carson in PNTC.
Joel Willitts in RFC/ SoGBC.
Roy Ciampa in TTT.

Ephesians
Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. Very good.
Baugh, S. M. Ephesians (EEC). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016. A top commentary on Ephesians. Reformed. Strong on Greek, historical background.
Hoehner, Harold. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. Landmark commentary on Greek text. Erudite defense of Pauline authorship. Leaves few stones unturned.
O'Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Ephesians (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. Strong on theology and exegesis.
Thielman, Frank. Ephesians (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010. Reformed Presbyterian.

Forthcoming:
Beale, G. K. in BTCPC
Roy Ciampa in TTT.
Max Turner in THNTC.

Philippians
Fee, Gordon D. Paul's Letter to the Philippians (NICNT, rev.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. A full, sensible commentary.
Harmon, M. Philippians (Mentor 2015). Good commentary for pastors and laymen.
O'Brien, Peter T. The Epistle to the Philippians (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991. Standard commentary on the Greek text.
Silva, Moisés. Philippians (BECNT). 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005. Best introductory commentary.

Honorable mention:
Bockmuehl, Markus. The Epistle to the Philippians (BNTC). Peabody: Hendrickson, 1998.
Hansen, G. Walter. The Letter to the Philippians (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. Probably competent, but possibly superfluous.

Forthcoming:
Doug Moo in BTCPC.

Colossians and Philemon
Beale, G. Colossians and Philemon (2019). If you only own one commentary on Colossians, this is it.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Letter to Philemon (AB). New York: Doubleday, 2000. Strong on historical background.
Moo, Douglas J. The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. Best available commentary.
O'Brien, Peter T. Colossians-Philemon (WBC). Waco: Word, 1982. A close second to Moo.

Honorable mention:
Harris, Murray J. Colossians and Philemon (EGGNT). Nashville: B & H, 2010. Strong on linguistics.
Pao, David W. Colossians and Philemon (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.
Wilson, Robert McL. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Colossians (ICC, rev.). London: T & T Clark, 2005. Commentary on the Greek text. Erudite. By a specialist on Gnosticism.

Forthcoming:
Clinton E. Arnold in WBC.

1, 2 Thessalonians
Beale, G. K. 1-2 Thessalonians (NTC). Downers Grove: IVP, 2003. Best amil commentary on Thessalonians. Theologically alert and astute.
Fee, Gordon D. The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians (NICNT, rev.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. A very sensible commentary. However, his impatience with premillennialism causes him to give short shrift to the eschatological passages.
Green, Gene L. The Letters to the Thessalonians (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. Detailed exegesis. Strong on the Hellenistic milieu. That, however, carries the danger of the supposed Greco-Roman context overpowering the text.
Malherbe, Abraham J. The Letters to the Thessalonians (Doubleday 2001). Erudite. Fairly conservative.
Shogren, Gary S. 1 & 2 Thessalonians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. Sane and sensible, with missionary bent.
Weima, J. 1-2 Thessalonians (Baker 2014). Up-to-date. Detailed.

Honorable mention:
Bruce, F. F. I and II Thessalonians (WBC). Waco: Word Books, 1982. Erudite.
Gupta, Nijay K. 1-2 Thessalonians (Cascade Books 2016).
Wanamaker, C. The Epistles to the Thessalonians (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. Standard commentary on the Greek text. Imposes a rhetorical structure on the text, as if Paul was Quintillian.

Pastorals
Marshall, I. Howard with Philip H. Towner. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (ICC, rev.). Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1999. Standard commentary on the Greek text. Howard's Arminianism sometimes skews the exegesis. Labors to defend pseudonymity.
Mounce, William D. Pastoral Epistles (WBC). Nashville: Nelson, 2000. One of the best. But the turgid formatting impedes readability.
Towner, Philip H. The Letters to Timothy and Titus (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006. Perhaps the best commentary on the Pastorals, but beware of egalitarian slant.

Honorable mention:
Johnson, Luke T. The First and Second Letters to Timothy (AB). New York: Doubleday, 2001. Catholic. Erudite. Sometimes challenges traditional Catholic prooftexting.
Quinn, Jerome D., and William C. Wacker. The First and Second Letters to Timothy (ECC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Quinn died before completing the commentary. Less a commentary than erudite raw material.

Forthcoming:
Gregory K. Beale in ZEC. When published, promises to be the best commentary on the Pastorals.
Stanley E. Porter in BECNT. Should be excellent.
Robert W. Yarbrough in PNTC.

Hebrews
Ellingworth, Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. Standard commentary on the Greek text.
O'Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Hebrews (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010. Outstanding commentary. Strong on theology and exegesis. He's slated to publish a companion volume on the theology of Hebrews.
Schreiner, Thomas. Hebrews (Holman 2015). Good midlevel commentary.

Honorable mention:
Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Hebrews (NICNT). 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.
Johnson, Luke T. Hebrews: A Commentary (NTL). Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
Koester, Craig R. Hebrews (AB). New York: Doubleday, 2001.
Lane, W. L. Hebrews, 2 vols. (WBC). Dallas: Word, 1991.

Forthcoming:
Donald A. Carson in BECNT.
Buist M. Fanning in EEC ~ 2015.
Robert Jewett in NCBC.
Douglas J. Moo in ZEC.

James
Blomberg, Craig L., and Mariam J. Kamell. James (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.
McCartney, Dan G. James (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009. Seasoned exegesis. Maybe the best commentary on James.
Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Vies with McCartney for first place.

Honorable mention:
Allison, Dale C., Jr. (ICC, rev.). James: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary. London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2013. Liberal, but independent. Erudite. Detailed commentary on Greek text. Leaves few stones unturned.
Johnson, Luke T. The Letter of James (AB, rev.). New York: Doubleday, 1995. Useful on the history of interpretation.

Forthcoming:
Joel B. Green in NTL.

1 Peter
Forbes, Greg W. 1 Peter (B&H 2014). Study of the Greek text.
Jobes, Karen H. 1 Peter (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005. Best commentary on 1 Peter. Strong on theology and exegesis.
Michaels, J. Ramsey. 1 Peter (WBC). Waco: Word, 1988.
Schreiner, Thomas R. 1, 2 Peter, Jude (NAC). Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003. Good midlevel commentary. Reformed Baptist.

Honorable mention:
Green, Joel B. 1 Peter (THNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.
Grudem, Wayne A. The First Epistle of Peter (TNTC, rev.). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

2 Peter and Jude
Green, Gene L. Jude & 2 Peter (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. Best commentary on these epistles.
Moo, Douglas J. 2 Peter, Jude (NIVAC). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. Popular. Good for laymen.
Schreiner, Thomas R. 1, 2 Peter, Jude (NAC). Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003.

Honorable mention:
Charles, J. Daryl. 2 Peter, Jude. BCBC. Herald Press, 1999.
Davids, Peter H. The Letters of Second Peter and Jude (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006. Detailed exegesis. Theologically moderate.
Green, E. M. B. The Second Epistle of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (TNTC). 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. Introductory.

Forthcoming:
Richard J. Bauckham in WBC ~ 2014. Revision of his landmark commentary. Subsequent commentators are indebted to his original research.

1, 2, 3 John
Harris, W. Hall. 1, 2, 3 John (Biblical Studies Press, 2nd ed., 2003).
Jobes, Karen H. 1, 2, and 3 John (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014. Best commentary on 1-3 John. Strong on theology and exegesis.

Honorable mention:
Yarbrough, Robert W. 1-3 John (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.
Jones, Peter R. 1, 2, & 3 John (SHBC). Macon: Smyth & Helwys, 2009.

Forthcoming:
Donald A. Carson in NIGTC. Will be standard commentary on Greek text, although I have misgivings about his treatment of 1 Jn 2:2.

Revelation
Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. The standard amil commentary. Cramped formatting. Leaves few stones unturned. Somewhat myopic focus on the text, to the neglect of extratextual referents (i.e. future events).
Fee, Gordon D. Revelation (NCCS). Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2011. Popular. Opinionated. Full of common sense. Lacks detail.
Hamilton, James. Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches. Crossway 2012. Popular. Sermonic. Premil.
Mathewson, D. Revelation: A Handbook on the Greek Text (2016).
Poythress, V. The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (P&R 2000). Perhaps the best introductory commentary on Revelation. Excellent, if disproportionately long, introduction.
Prigent, P. Commentary on the Apocalypse of St. John (?Mohr Siebeck?, 2004). One of the best amil commentaries. More readable than Beale. Full of Gallic wit and common sense. Good antidote to Aune's Greco-Roman parallelomania.
Resseguie, James L. The Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009. Novelistic analysis. Excellent introduction to the "story" of Revelation. Gives the reader a good feel for the narrative flow, characterization, &c. Not the most reliable for exegesis.

Honorable mention:
Aune, David E. Revelation, 3 vols. (WBC). Dallas: Word, 1997; Nashville: Nelson, 1998. By an erudite Classicist. Liberal. Choppy formatting. Good on linguistics. Situates the text in a Greco-Roman milieu. That, however, raises the question of whether Hellenistic conceptual world was John's primary frame of reference. There's the danger of using primary sources just because we have them, and not because they're especially germane to the text at hand. An important commentary to consult, but must be used with discretion.
Koester, Craig R. Revelation. AYB. Yale University Press, 2014. Somewhat liberal. Good on history of interpretation. I like his general approach to narrative time and the visionary genre. In a commentary this big, there's much to like. However, the parts are greater than the whole. Good supplemental commentary.
Michaels, J. Ramsey. Revelation. IVPNTC. InterVarsity Press, 1997. Popular. Iconoclastic. Doesn't view Revelation as a window into 1C conditions (pace Aune, Bauckham, Hemer, Thompson). Takes the visionary genre into account.
Thompson, Leonard L. Revelation. ANTC. Abingdon Press, 1998. Popular. Liberal. By a Classicist.

Forthcoming:
Donald A. Carson in PNTC.
Buist M. Fanning in ZEC. When published, may prove to be the best dispensational commentary on Revelation.

Update history: Sept. 30, 2014. Feb. 16, 2015. Feb. 26, 2015. Jan. 1, 2018. Jan. 2, 2018. Jan. 12, 2018. Apr. 17, 2019. May 9, 2019. Feb. 6, 2020. Feb. 24, 2020. Apr. 14, 2020.

6 comments:

  1. Have you thought about hyperlinking your top books in the categories to WTSbooks or Amazon? Also, this is a fantastic and helpful list. I'm not very familiar with the OT scholars, so this list helps me avoid some volumes I would otherwise consider purchasing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are you going to update this? For example, Keener's Galatians commentaries are out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Steve, how do you know so much about future books? I can't find anything about, say, Carson coming out with a commentary on Revelation or Meier with a commentary on Matthew.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://www.bestcommentaries.com/forthcoming/

      Delete
  4. I'm looking forward to Fanning's commentary on Revelation. Might well be the first scholarly commentary.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I recently read Bock on Ephesians; Paul on Revelation; and Blomberg's New Testament Theology. I'd put them on a list, but obviously there have to be limits.

    ReplyDelete