New Bible Commentary, 21st Century Edition

For 40 years, the New Bible Commentary has set the standard for works of its kind. Now in this completely revised fourth edition (including over 80% new and updated material), the best one-volume commentary is now even better.

This readable and accessible volume brings together many of the finest scholars of our day to meet the needs of students, teachers and Bible readers. The 21st-century edition of the New Bible Commentary offers 66 solid, concise, evangelical commentaries---one on each book of the Bible. These detailed (passage-by-passage or verse-by-verse) commentaries, based on the NIV text, are accompanied by introductory material on date, authorship, purpose, key themes, outlines and discussions of recent developments in biblical scholarship, along with numerous maps, diagrams, and tables. In addition, seven new introductory articles have been added which overview biblical history and types of biblical literature:

• Approaching the Bible (D.A. Carson)
• Biblical History (Gordon McConville)
• The Pentateuch (Gordon Wenham)
• Poetry in the Bible (Philip Jensen)
• Apocrypha and Apocalyptic (Roger Beckwith)
• Reading the Gospels (R.T. France)
• Reading the Epistles (D.A. Carson)

Contributors include: T. Desmond Alexander, George R. Beasley-Murray, D.A. Carson, Richard T. France, Donald Guthrie, Gordon P. Hugenberger, Philip A. Jensen, J.A. Motyer, Moisés Silva, Douglas Stuart, Gordon J. Wenham, and others. Overview of the New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition:

• Theologically moderate/conservative
• Non-technical (no knowledge of Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic needed)
• For laypeople and teachers
• Uses the New International Version (NIV) Bible as its English base

Average Rating:

7 of 7 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sisemoore (Honolulu, HI), September 19, 2008

I recently bought this commentary to complement a couple of verse-by-verse commentaries I already own. I have been very pleased with the approach taken by the New Bible Commentary, which is to take groups of verses and discuss them together as a cohesive whole. I have taken to reading my Bibles (NIV and NASB) to compare texts and to read the study notes and word studies in them, followed by this commentary. I find that I form an understanding by reading my Bibles and then get a fresh perspective or corroborative validation which leads me to further reflect upon the Word. The New Bible Commentary is very readable and adds much to my time with God's Word. I have owned this commentary for about three weeks. If my opinion holds after I have read it for six months or a year (which I expect will be true), then I would give this five stars. Based upon three weeks, though, I intentionally want to be conservative with my praise.

Reviewed by Leonard Castaneda (Cebu, Philippines), July 19, 2007

I've been peeking at a copy of this commentary in a local bookstore and eventually, asked an aunt to order me a copy from this site. Written in an honest, scholarly, and thoroughly understandable manner, I chose this 1-volume commentary because of the strong reputation of IVP for sound materials. I know I will enjoy my copy when it gets to me tomorrow (July 21, 2007).

Reviewed by Padunkiaet Vejvechaneyom (Bangkok, Thailand), March 21, 2007

I have nearly all one volume Bible commentaries, you name it, I have it!!!!. I am a real Bible commentary lover. In my opinion, this is the best one volume Bible commentary that I have. It contains more detail and I think it is easier to read and digest than other one volume commentaries. Only one drawback is that there are no technical terms (Hebrew and Greek )that sometime we need to know what the original words seem to speak for. If you can have only one or two one volume commentaries, you may try this one and New international Bible commentary by the late FF Bruce.

Reviewed by Stef (Nashua, NH), November 24, 2006

For the targeted audience this is an outstanding commentary. One should not be surprised that a single volume commentary cannot cover every issue that will arise in studying the Bible. If you're looking for a good basic Bible reference tool to enhance your reading and study of the Bible, this is good value for the money. It is also a solid foundation for your own small Bible study library. Just add a good Bible dictionary (IVP has an excellent one), a good Bible concordance, and a good Study Bible (like the NIV Study Bible or the updated NASB Study Bible)- and you will have the basics for years of searching the scriptures to know Him better! One last point. If you want more indepth study, each article in this book is followed with a small bibliography which can help point you in the right direction.

Reviewed by Jon (Big Rock, IL), June 29, 2003

I purchased this commentary due to someone saying that it's the best one volume Evangelical Commentary on the market. For a one volume commentary, it is quite deep and touches on important issues, and isn't afraid to interact with the original languages somewhat in an easy-to-understand way (all Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic words are transliterated). The persuasion is more Calvinistic/Reformed. The book takes a moderate theological position: historical criticism is present(An unsure stand on the author of Genesis, a synoptic "problem", and things of similar nature) and sometimes it doesn't tackle doctrinal issues in the text, or simply gives all sides without taking much of a stand(female roles in the church, evolution in the creation narrative). Not all commentaries are of the same quality, some seem to be abridged versions of full-length commentaries. If you are interested in a somewhat scholarly commentary that isn't afraid to give the nod toward critical views, this is for you. If you are looking for something more conservative but still isn't afraid to discuss a tiny bit of the original languages occasionally (in an easy-to-understand way), try the Concordia Self-Study Commentary (one volume) or Self-Study Bible, or the People's Bible Commentary series by Concordia or Northwestern. I find myself reaching for those more often than the New Bible Commentary.

Reviewed by Brent Wittmeier (Calgary Canada), August 17, 2000

This is easily the best one volume commentary I have ever seen. This should be a standard tool for churches whenever and wherever the Bible is taught. If it were up to me, I would get a copy of this into the hands of every small group leader in my church.

Reviewed by Matthew Sullivan (Nashville, TN), July 14, 2000

I refer to this commentary all the time in my study; both devotional and for sermon prep. You would be hard-pressed to find a finer collection of today's evangelical scholars/commentators as is assembled here. Each book of the Bible is given thorough treatment in lay language by a scholar who has immersed himself in that book for years. This is money very well-spent. Highly recommended.

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