Our Favorite Commentary Series for Deeper Bible Study

At Snowbird we are super passionate about studying the Bible and helping others learn to do it as well. One useful tool for growing your Bible study time is a good commentary. These commentary series have all been used by SWO staff and will help you discover the depth of God’s Word in new ways.

If you’re interested in learning more about studying the Bible, you can listen to Rob’s breakout session here.

If you like this list and want to see our top picks in other categories, then go over and download our Favorite Books of SWO document. Over 129 titles are included!

Christ-Centered Exposition Commentaries

By David Platt (and others)

This commentary series is a devotional-style series, affirming that the Bible is a Christ-centered book, containing a unified story of redemptive history of which Jesus is the hero. It’s presented as sermons and divided into chapters that conclude with a “Reflect & Discuss” section, making this series ideal for small group study, personal devotion, and even sermon preparation. It’s not academic but rather presents an accessible, practical, and friendly commentary that provides pastors and lay leaders with a practical application of God’s written word, exalting Jesus as the hero of every book.

Look at the whole series

The New International Commentary on the New Testament

Edited by Joel B. Green

Each volume in the NICNT series uses all the tools of critical scholarship yet remains committed to evangelical principles of inspiration. It is a multi-faceted commentary dealing with exegetical and theological issues while also giving a comprehensive review of scholarship. All technical remarks (e.g. use of Greek or Hebrew) are typically confined to notes and appendixes. The New Testament series is currently missing 2 Peter and Jude.

You can look at the whole series here

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament

Edited by Robert L. Hubbard Jr. and Bill T. Arnold

Same deal as with their New Testament series. Each volume in the NICOT series uses all the tools of critical scholarship yet remains committed to evangelical principles of inspiration. It is a multi-faceted commentary dealing with exegetical and theological issues while also giving a comprehensive review of scholarship. All technical remarks (e.g. use of Greek or Hebrew) are typically confined to notes and appendixes. The Old Testament series currently has only 26 volumes, but will eventually cover the whole OT.

You can look at the whole series here

NIV Application Commentary Series

Various Authors

The NIV Application Commentary discusses the Bible in a way that engages contemporary life and culture. Most Bible commentaries take us on a one-way trip from our world to the world of the Bible. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. They focus on the original meaning of the passage but don’t discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable—but the job is only half done. The NIV Application Commentary Series helps bring both halves of the interpretive task together. The tools, ideas, and insights contained in this bundle will help you communicate God’s Word and understand the Bible in the context of contemporary culture. The exegetical, literary, and grammatical summaries will benefit anyone wanting to dig deeper into God’s Word.

Check out the whole series here

Preaching the Word

By Kent Hughes

For years, Crossway’s Preaching the Word commentary series has helped pastors, preachers, and anyone who teaches God’s Word to better interpret and apply the message of the Bible. Under the careful editorial oversight of experienced pastor and best-selling author R. Kent Hughes, this series is known for its commitment to biblical authority, its pastoral tone and focus, and its overall accessibility. This 19-volume set covering the entirety of the New Testament features contributions from a host of respected Bible teachers―offering readers a well-rounded and multipurpose resource for preaching, teaching, and personal study.

Here’s the whole series

We’ve prepped this list of recommended books from our Snowbird teachers to help encourage the habit of learning! We also encourage you to read critically, evaluating every book, Christian or secular, through the lens of the Bible.