I will update this as I read more commentaries. I will also make it a side page.
Rating: * – *****
Commentary Sets
Of course, I haven’t read every page of every set, so I am not giving singular judgments, but I think I can capture the overall tenor.
The Macarthur Bible Commentary. I’m not a huge fan of Macarthur and you will find both strengths and weaknesses. Each commentary is a glorified word-study. Still, the sections are well-divided.
Calvin’s Commentaries. Harmonizes the Pentateuch, which is a huge weakness. Still, Calvin paid attention to the original languages and his arguments, even where I think he is wrong, are always thoughtful. I think his sermons are better.
Pentateuch as a Whole
Brueggeman and Kaiser. Genesis to Exodus. New Interpreter’s Bible. Brueggeman has his insights from time to time, but his project is unstable. Kaiser, of course, is outstanding. ***
Sailhamer, John. Pentateuch as Narrative. Good in gaining an overall flow, hence the title. Sailhamer doesn’t go into his views on creation in much detail. ***
Genesis
Bede. Homilies on Genesis 1-3. Ancient Christian Texts. Great for historical value, but no exegesis.
Hamilton, Victor. New International Commentary on Genesis. Eerdmans. 2 volumes. Good overall commentary. Gently pushes back against Wellhausen.
North, Gary. Genesis: The Dominion Covenant. Zero exegesis but excellent suggestions on apologetics.
Exodus
Numbers
Wenham, Gordon. Numbers. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Excellent rebuttal to JEDP. Sound elsewhere. *****
1 and 2 Samuel
Leithart, Peter. A Son to Me. Canon Press. Very good treatment on background and biblical theology. Light on exegesis.
1 and 2 Kings
Leithart, Peter. 1 and 2 Kings. Brazos Theological Commentaries. Similar to his work on Samuel. Good for pastoral application but needs to be supplemented.
Job
Vanderwaal, Cornelis. Job – Song of Solomon. More of a survey than a commentary but excellent nonetheless.
Jeremiah
Brueggeman, Walter. A Commentary on Jeremiah: Homecoming and Exile. While I have problems with Brueggemann, he does a fine job in handling the textual issues.
Zechariah
Klein. Zechariah. New American Commentary. Good treatment on background and good exegesis. Takes a gently premillennial approach to chapter 14.
NEW TESTAMENT
Mark
Horne, Mark. The Victory According to Mark. Canon Press. Excellent treatment on typology and biblical theology. Not as heavy on exegesis.
Acts
Bruce, F. F. New International Commentary on Acts. Eerdmans. A true classic. Somewhat dry reading but I can’t think of a better commentary at the moment. Keener’s will eclipse it in time.
Romans
Moo, Douglas. New International Commentary on Romans. Replaced Murray. Deals with the earlier treatments of the New Perspective on Paul. Somewhat unique take on Romans 7, but otherwise outstanding.
Murray, John. New International Commentary on Romans. The 20th century classic. While it has been surpassed by Moo, it still should be consulted.
Wright, N. T. Romans. New Interpreter’s Bible. Marvelously well-written. Somewhat hamstrung by his so-called New Perspective.
Galatians
George, Timothy. Galatians. NAC. Sound Reformational approach. Worth looking into but nothing earthshaking.
Silva, Moises. Interpreting Galatians. Not strictly a commentary, but an excellent guidebook on some of the exegetical difficulties.
Revelation
Barclay, William. Revelation. Well-written and Barclay’s unbelieving presuppositions don’t play too big a role. Good on history but fairly weak beyond that.
Beale, Gregory. Revelation. I haven’t read it, but by all accounts the best commentary on Revelation.
Caird, G. B. Romans. International Critical Commentary. Caird was the archetypal British scholar. Very strong in argument but fairly limited and dated at points.
Keck, Leander (ed). Hebrews-Revelation New Interpreter’s Bible. I don’t know if Keck was the actual contributor to Revelation. The book wasn’t any good. Had a bizarre fixation with William Blake. Get Beale or Mounce instead.
Keener, Craig. Revelation. Life Application Commentary. Very good on background issues. Sound treatment of the text. Takes a mild historic premil approach. Some odd suggestions on applications.
Outlaw Huguenot 