The Role of Commentaries For All Believers

Nobody can apply what they do not know.

Nobody can know what they do not learn. 

Nobody can learn what they do not study.

Nobody can learn what they are not taught.

Christians lets be honest.  Most of us struggle with “RTAC syndrome” (i.e. run-to-a-commentary).  I confess, when I owned my very first study bible, I found my eyes wandering down to the footnotes every time I picked up the Bible.  In fact, I caught myself reading the commentary more than I was reading the text itself!

My Dad always taught me to, “measure twice and cut once.”  I like to say, “lazy people work twice as hard.”  These principles apply to the Spiritual life.  If I fail to do the right work in Bible study (i.e. proper hermeneutics, exegesis and inductive bible study) I will spend an unnecessary (and perhaps frustrating) amount of time trying to get back on track, regain focus and properly interpret and apply a portion of  Scripture to my life and to the body of believers.

The Apostle Paul said, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).  The ESV puts it another way, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

The point is there is much work and diligence that takes place before the word is preached, taught, or applied.  What I suggest here is that commentaries only come into the equation at the very end when all the proper work is done.  I want my thoughts about scripture to be “original.”  That is to say, I want my preaching, teaching, and writing to be a byproduct of much reading, studying, meditation, and prayer.  For me, I feel the urge to run to commentaries first when I want the answer right now.  But I might not even be getting “the answer” in reading a commentary.

I like to think of the work of exegesis as the search for a key (i.e. the “big idea” of a passage) that opens the door to the world of application.  It is a joy to find the primary meaning and then transition to a secondary application.  Once the exegesis is done and the proper steps of observation and interpretation have been made, it is time to consult what the body of Christ has concluded as well.  

Robert J. Sivigny’s approach to incorporating commentaries is the model for objective research.  He notes, “It is important to consult a variety of commentaries for exposure to different theological traditions such as Reformed, Dispensational, or Arminian.”1  Objectivity is difficult; especially in theology.  But with prayer and fasting, a Christian included to Reformed theology will benefit from reading Dispensational perspectives just as an Arminian will benefit from reading Calvin’s commentaries - so long as he or she is“doing their best to present themselves to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (by consulting commentaries at the end).  

Happy studies to all!  Be Blessed.

———————————————-

1. http://www.regent.edu/acad/undergrad/ctl/twr2005/Lessons1to4/Lesson2-UsingGoodBooks/LessonTwo7-UsingBibleCommentaries.htm