“The Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:7-87Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. 8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. (Nehemiah 8:7‑8)).
I would like to offer a few comments concerning the use of Biblical commentaries for the believer. When I was a young man, a beloved brother, now home with the Lord, used to speak often to us about the unjust steward who said he was unable “to dig” and “ashamed” to beg (Luke 16:33Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. (Luke 16:3)). Our brother stressed that while every believer should be able to dig (get things out of the Word of God for himself), he should not be ashamed to beg—that is, to seek help from other believers by asking questions or reading written ministry and commentaries.
Some dislike or even disdain Biblical commentaries. But I feel such an attitude results in a real loss of enjoyment of the limitless treasures found in the inspired Word of God. Not only was Ruth the Moabitess invited to glean for herself, but she was encouraged, when thirsty, to drink from that which the young men had drawn (Ruth 2:99Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. (Ruth 2:9)). I feel Scriptural commentaries are included in the latter. They provide that which seeks to enlighten the reader’s understanding of the Word in a verse-by-verse or paragraph-by-paragraph format.
While some commentaries have been written expressly as expositions of the Word of God, others are records of addresses, open meeting ministry, or gospel meetings which have been put into print format. Generally these are reviewed by the speaker, if possible, before they are published.
Believers have available a wealth of wonderful written ministry—especially beginning from the early 1800s. Recently, a number of CD-ROM disks (for use in computers) have been produced, containing all the writings of Mr. Darby, Mr. Kelly and other brethren who were specially used of God in the recovery of assembly (church) truth during this time (1825-1900). In addition, audio cassette tapes of this rich ministry are now also available so that shut-ins or those with a lot of “windshield time,” due to work-related commuting, can spend that time profitably.
Of course, reading commentaries written by those who accept the Bible as the inspired, flawless Word of God, totally sufficient for faith and practical walk, is vitally important. Commentaries and expositions written by those who have not morally walked in the truth they try to minister from the Word are rightly to be regarded with some suspicion. “Knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim. 3:1414But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (2 Timothy 3:14)) is a wise Scriptural principle to follow when searching for profitable written or audio ministry.
Some commentaries that we have available are highly technical, containing minute details of Greek and Hebrew syntax. Others are more devotional in nature. Believers have need of both when studying the infinite treasures of God’s Word. When this author was much younger and still forming his basic Biblical thinking, he read many commentaries and is thankful to the Lord for providing them. Now, as a more mature believer, I tend to consult these commentaries when I am unsure if a thought I (or others) have is doctrinally correct.
I have often been asked what commentaries I recommend, and I confess that I do have some very definite views on this subject. While having no desire to create a dogmatic list of titles of ministry, commentaries or authors, I would make the following suggestions as a profitable and safe starting point for those who would like to begin building a library of good Biblical ministry.
Brethren are generally agreed that the ministry of three brethren from the 1800s is especially helpful and sound: (1) J. N. Darby—especially his Synopsis and Letters plus many others of his doctrinal and expository writings, (2) G. V. Wigram—especially for practical matters such as his letters on marriage and other short fragments of sweet meditations, and (3) J. G. Bellett—especially for devotional ministry such as The Son of God and The Moral Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. To these three I would also add W. Kelly—especially his expositions of Scripture—as well as F. G. Patterson’s dispensational and prophetic ministry.
Remember, however, in order to profit from any written or spoken ministry, there must be a willingness to receive the “word with all readiness of mind, and [to search] the scriptures daily, whether those things [are] so” (Acts 17:1111These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)). While there are many more commentaries which I have profited from reading, time would fail me to tell of them all.
May God graciously stir all our hearts to more diligent reading and study of His precious Word, while availing ourselves of the various gifts of ministry He has given through written commentaries.
R. K. Gorgas
Editor’s Note: Requests for further information regarding the subject of written ministry may be directed to the author, R. K. Gorgas; his email address is SingingPilgrm@aol.com. Bible Truth Publishers (Addison, Illinois) and Bibles & Publications (Montreal, Quebec) are two suppliers of good written ministry and commentaries.