Could Commentaries Ruin Your Bible Study?

Commentaries: friend or crutch? In this episode, Jimmy and Kelly dive deep into a Bible-nerd essential—commentaries—and break down how to actually use them without becoming overly dependent. (Hint: if you're tempted to read one before you read the Bible passage... this one’s for you.)

They unpack five practical, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt rules for using commentaries well, including:

📖 Why you don’t need a commentary (but how it can be a gift)

📚 How to check your work without letting it do your work

👀 What makes a commentary helpful—or harmful

🙃 Why “buy the author, not the series” is your new money-saving mantra

🔍 And how to read broadly so you don’t get stuck in your theological bubble

Whether you’re surrounded by shelves of tomes or cracking open your first study Bible, this episode is packed with encouragement, a touch of snark, and loads of practical help for anyone trying to love and understand God’s Word more deeply.

🎯 Bonus: They name names—trusted authors, series to look for, and where to get great (even free!) resources to start building your own library.

📝 Show Notes

Jimmy's Suggested Authors: Moo, Mounce, Bock, Schreiner, Longman, Bruce, Fee, Morris, Wenham, Carson

Jimmy's Suggested Series: Pillar, NICOT, NICNT, The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Baker Exegetical

📚 Helpful Resources:

• Best Commentaries
• Top 5 Commentaries (via Ligonier)
• Dr. Constable’s Notes @ SonicLight.com (Go to Constable → Constable Notes → Constable Notes in PDF)
• ESV Study Bible
• NET Bible (with translator notes)

💡 Know someone who loves the Bible and gets hyped about footnotes?

Text this episode to your favorite Bible nerd and bless their theological soul.

🙌 Want to support the show and ask questions during live recordings?

Become a Clearly Partner on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham