John MacArthur’s Recommended First 750 Books For an Expositor of God’s Word

John MacArthur’s Recommended First 750 Books For an Expositor of God’s Word


08MAY


The First 750 Books for an Expositor’s Library


After the previous discussion of the importance of a solid library for an expository preacher, it seems appropriate to include a suggested list of materials and thereby identify a model library for one who has this goal. The works listed here are only suggestions. Each person will need to adapt the list to fit his own needs. “Books are like clothes: what fits one person’s needs and style may not fit another person’s at all.” Also, this list is limited to a basic collection in the fields of biblical studies and theology, and does not identify other items that an expositor may wish to acquire. The expositor should acquire a number of important items on current biblical and theological issues to assist him in his study and keep himself current. The purpose of this list is to assist a new generation of aspiring expository preachers in gathering a collection of tools for this worthy task. It includes books which have or will stand the test of time and tries to avoid items based on current theological speculation.


The list has a wider purpose, however. It is for a wide spectrum of readers who are seeking to assemble a well-rounded library. Serious expositors should consider the entire list as a model library. A reasonable goal is to acquire the 750 volumes in ten years. The first items to purchase have been marked with an asterisk (*). These same ones can serve as a basic list for a serious layman or devoted pastor who wishes to accumulate fewer than the proposed 750 for assistance in Bible study. The following are clarifications regarding the list:


1. Some of the volumes listed under individual commentaries are parts of sets that are also included in the list. They have not been counted twice.


2. When entire sets are recommended, it is understood that individual volumes within each set are of uneven quality because of a variety of authors. The expositor should sometimes buy selectively from sets with this in mind. In other cases, he should own entire sets so that he has resources on the whole Bible.


3. The expositor may choose to wait to purchase commentaries on individual books of the Bible until he needs them. He should remember, however, that books are in and out of print and that he may not always have the time or be in the right place to secure good materials. The key to building a good library is a good “want list” carefully pursued over a period of time. Books tend to show up when least expected and often cannot be found when needed! They are often cheaper when the need for them is not so urgent.


4. The list can also be used as a study guide for those with access to a theological library. It can also be modified and made suitable as a basis for a church library in biblical studies.


I. Bibliographic Tools


Badke, William B. The Survivor’s Guide to Library Research. Zondervan, 1990.


*Barber, Cyril J. The Minister’s Library. Moody, 1985–. 2 vols. plus supplements.


*Barker, Kenneth L., Bruce K. Waltke, Roy B. Zuck. Bibliography for Old Testament Exegesis and Exposition.Dallas Theological Seminary, 1979.


Bollier, John A. The Literature of Theology: A Guide for Students and Pastors. Westminster, 1979.


*Carson, D. A. New Testament Commentary Survey. Baker, 1986.


Childs, Brevard S. Old Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher. Westminster, 1977.


Kiehl, Erich H. Building Your Biblical Studies Library. Concordia, 1988.


Martin, Ralph P. New Testament Books for Pastor and Teacher. Westminster, 1984.


*Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. Author, 1983.


Spurgeon, Charles H. Commenting and Commentaries. Banner of Truth, 1969.


*Wiersbe, Warren W. A Basic Library for Bible Students. Baker, 1981.


II. Bibles


American Standard Version. Nelson, 1901.


The Amplified Bible. Zondervan, 1965.


*King James Version (or Authorized Version). Various publishers.


The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Tyndale, 1971.


*New American Standard Bible. Lockman, 1977.


New English Bible. Oxford/Cambridge, 1970.


*New International Version. Zondervan, 1978.


New King James Version. Nelson, 1982.


New Century Version. Word, 1991.


The New Scofield Reference Bible. Oxford, 1967.


The New Testament in Modern English. Macmillan, 1973.


The NIV Study Bible. Zondervan, 1985.


*Ryrie Study Bible. Moody, 1978.


The Scofield Reference Bible. Oxford, 1917.


III. Biblical Texts


*Aland, Kurt. The Greek New Testament. 3d ed. UBS, 1983.


———. The Text of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1987.


*Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Ed. by Karl Elliger and Wilhelm Rudolph; Deutsche Biblestiftung, 1984.


*Bruce, F. F. The Books and the Parchments. Revell, 1984.


*———. The Canon of the Scripture. InterVarsity, 1988.


———. History of the English Bible in English. 3d ed. Revell, 1978.


Greenlee, J. Harold. Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism. Eerdmans, 1964.


*Harris, R. Laird. Inspiration and Canonicity of the Bible. Zondervan, 1969.


Lewis, Jack P. The English Bible From KJV to NIV, A History of Evaluation. Baker, 1982.


Metzger, Bruce M. The Canon of the New Testament. Oxford, 1987.


———. The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration. Oxford, 1968.


*———. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. UBS, 1971.


*Nestle-Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 26th ed. Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1979.


*Rahlfs, Alfred. Septuaginta. Wuerttembergische, 1962.


Roberts, B. J. The Old Testament Text and Versions. Wales, 1951.


Swete, Henry B. An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek. KTAV, 1968.


Wurthwein, Ernst. The Text of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1979.


IV. Old Testament Tools


*Armstrong, Terry A., Douglas L. Busby, and Cyril F. Carr. A Reader’s Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Zondervan, 1989.


Botterweck, G. Johannes, and Helmer Ringgren, eds. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Vols. 1–. Eerdmans, 1974–.


*Brown, Francis, Samuel R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford, 1907.


Einspahr, Bruce. Index to Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew Lexicon. Moody, 1977.


*The Englishmen’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance of the Old Testament. Zondervan, 1970.


*Even-Shoshan, Abraham. A New Concordance of the Old Testament. Baker, 1989.


Girdlestone, Robert Baker. Synonyms of The Old Testament. Eerdmans.


*Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. 2 vols. Moody, 1980.


Hatch, Edwin, and Henry A. Redpath. A Concordance to the Septuagint and the Other Greek Versions of the Old Testament. 2 vols. Akademische, 1955.


*Holladay, William. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1971.


Koehler, Ludwig, and Walter Baumgartner. Lexicon in Verteris Testament Libros. 2 vols. Brill, 1958.


Liddell, Henry G., and Robert Scott. A Greek English Lexicon. 9th ed., rev. by. H. S. Jones and R. McKenzie. Oxford, 1968.


*Owens, John Joseph. Analytical Key to the Old Testament. 4 vols. Baker, 1989–.


Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Abingdon, 1987.


Unger, Merrill F., and William White. Nelson’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament. Nelson, 1980.


Waltke, Bruce K. An Intermediate Hebrew Grammar. Eisenbrauns, 1984.


Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O’Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990.


*Weingreen, Jacob. Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew. Oxford, 1959.


Wilson, William. Old Testament Word Studies. Kregel, 1978.


V. New Testament Tools


*Abbot-Smith, George. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. T. & T. Clark, 1936.


Alsop, John R., ed. An Index to the Revised Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich Greek Lexicon. 2d ed. by F. Wilbur Gingrich and Frederick W. Danker. Zondervan, 1981.


Balz, Horst, and Gerhard Schneider, eds. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1978.


Barclay, William. New Testament Words. Westminster, 1974.


*Bauer, Walter, W. F. Arndt, F. W. Gingrich, and F. W. Danker. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 2d ed. University of Chicago, 1979.


Blass, F. W., A. Debrunner, and Robert W. Funk. A Grammar of New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. University of Chicago, 1961.


Bromiley, Geoffrey. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Ed. by Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich. Trans. by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. Abridged in 1 vol. Eerdmans, 1985.


*Brown, Colin, ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. 4 vols. Zondervan, 1975–86.


Burton, Ernest DeWitt. Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek. T. & T. Clark, 1898.


Cremer, Hermann. Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek. 4th ed. T. & T. Clark, 1962.


Dana, H. E., and Julius R. Mantey. A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament. Macmillan, 1955.


Gingrich, F. W. A Shorter Lexicon of the Greek Testament. 2d ed. Rev. by Frederick W. Danker. University of Chicago, 1983.


Hanna, Robert. A Grammatical Aid to the Greek New Testament. Baker, 1983.


Kittel, Gerhard, and Gerhard Friedrich. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Trans. by Geoffrey Bromiley. 10 vols. Eerdmans, 1964–76.


Liddell, H. G., and R. Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon. 8th ed. Clarendon, 1897.


*Machen, J. Gresham. New Testament Greek for Beginners. Macmillan, 1923.


Moule, C. F. D. An Idiom Book of the New Testament Greek. Cambridge, 1963.


Moulton, James Hope. A Grammar of New Testament Greek. 4 vols. T. & T. Clark, 1908–.


——— and George Milligan. The Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament Illustrated from the Papyri and Other Non-Literary Sources. Hodder and Stoughton, 1952.


Moulton, William, and A. S. Geden. A Concordance to the Greek Testament. 5th ed. Rev. by H. K. Moulton. T. & T. Clark, 1978.


Richards, Lawrence O. Expository Dictionary of Bible Words. Zondervan, 1985.


*Rienecker, Fritz. A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament. Zondervan, 1980.


Robertson, A. T. A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research. Broadman, 1923.


Smith, J. B. Greek-English Concordance to the New Testament. Herald, 1955.


*Thayer, Joseph H. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Zondervan, 1962.


Trench, Richard Chenevix. Synonyms of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1953.


Turner, Nigel. Christian Words. Nelson, 1981.


———. Grammatical Insights into the New Testament. T. & T. Clark, 1977.


*Vine, W. E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White. An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. Nelson, 1984.


*Wingram, George V. The Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament. 9th ed. Zondervan, 1970.


Zerwick, Max, and Mary Grosvenor. A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament. Biblical Institute, 1981.


VI. Hermeneutics and Exegesis


Ferguson, Duncan S. Biblical Hermeneutics, an Introduction. John Knox, 1986.


Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. Toward an Exegetical Theology. Baker, 1981.


Mickelsen, A. Berkeley. Interpreting the Bible. Eerdmans, 1963.


*Ramm, Bernard. Protestant Biblical Interpretation. Baker, 1970.


Sproul, R. C. Knowing Scripture. InterVarsity, 1977.


*Tan, Paul Lee. The Interpretation of Prophecy. BMH, 1974.


*Terry, Milton S. Biblical Hermeneutics. Zondervan, 1974.


*Thomas, Robert L. Introduction to Exegesis. Author, 1987.


Traina, Robert A. Methodical Bible Study. Author, 1952.


Virkler, Henry A. Hermeneutics, Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation. Baker, 1981


VII. General Reference Works


*Bromiley, Geoffrey W., ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 4 vols. Eerdmans, 1979–88.


Buttrick, George A., and K. Crim, eds. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. 5 vols. Abingdon, 1962–76.


Douglas, J. D., ed. The New Bible Dictionary. 2nd ed. Tyndale, 1982.


——— and E. E. Cairns, eds. The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Zondervan, 1978.


———, ed. New 20th-Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Baker, 1990.


Elwell, Walter A., ed. Encyclopedia of the Bible. 2 vols. Baker, 1988.


*———, ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Baker, 1984.


Ferguson, Sinclair B., David F. Wright, and J. I. Packer. New Dictionary of Theology. InterVarsity, 1988.


Harrison, R. K. Encyclopedia of Biblical and Christian Ethics. Nelson, 1987.


Hastings, James, ed. Dictionary of the Apostolic Church. 2 vols. T. & T. Clark, 1915.


———. Dictionary of the Bible. 5 vols. T. & T. Clark, 1898.


———. Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels. T. & T. Clark, 1906.


McClintock, John, and James Strong, eds. Cyclopedia of Biblical Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. 12 vols. Baker, 1981.


*Orr, James, ed. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 5 vols. Eerdmans, 1939.


Reid, Daniel G. Dictionary of Christianity in America. InterVarsity, 1990.


*Tenney, Merrill C., ed. The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. 5 vols. 1975.


*Unger, Merrill F. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Rev. and updated edition. Ed. by R. K. Harrison. Moody, 1988.


VIII. Concordances


Anderson, Ken. The Contemporary Concordance of Bible Topics. Victor, 1984.


Elder, F., ed. Concordance to the New English Bible: New Testament. Zondervan, 1964.


Goodrick, Edward, and John Kohlenberger III. The NIV Complete Concordance. Zondervan, 1981.


———. The NIV Exhaustive Concordance. Zondervan, 1990.


Hill, Andrew E., comp. Baker’s Handbook of Bible Lists. Baker, 1981.


*Monser, Harold E. Topical Index and Digest of the Bible. Baker, 1983.


*Nave, Orville J., ed. Nave’s Topical Bible. Nelson, 1979.


The Phrase Concordance of the Bible. Nelson, 1986.


*Strong, James. Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Abingdon, 1980.


*Thomas, Robert L., ed. New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Holman, 1981.


*Torrey, R. A. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Bagster, n.d.


*———. The New Topical Textbook. Revell, n.d.


*Young, Robert., ed. Analytial Concordance to the Bible. Rev. ed. Nelson, 1980.


IX. Works on Archaeology, Geography, and History


Aharoni, Yohanan. The Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography of the Bible. Westminster, 1979.


*———. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Macmillan, 1977.


Baly, Denis. The Geography of the Bible. New and rev. ed. Harper, 1974.


Barrett, C. K. The New Testament Background: Selected Documents. S.P.C.K., 1958.


Beitzel, Barry J. The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands. Moody, 1985.


Blaiklock, E. M., and R. K. Harrison, eds. The New International Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology. Zondervan, 1983.


Bouquet, A. C. Everyday Life in New Testament Times. Scribner, 1953.


Bruce, F. F. Israel and the Nations. Eerdmans, 1963.


*———. New Testament History. Doubleday, 1971.


*Edersheim, Alfred. Bible History. 2 vols. Eerdmans, 1954.


*———. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. 2 vols. Eerdmans, 1954.


*Gower, Ralph. The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times. Moody, 1987.


Harrison, Roland K., ed. Major Cities of the Biblical World. Nelson, 1985.


*———. Old Testament Times. Eerdmans, 1990.


Heaton, E. W. Everyday Life in Old Testament Times. Scribner’s, 1956.


Jeremias, Joachim. Jerusalem in the Times of Jesus. Fortress, 1969.


Josephus, Flavius. Complete Works. Kregel, 1960.


Lohse, Eduard. The New Testament Environment. Abingdon, 1976.


Merrill, Eugene H. Kingdom of Priests. Baker, 1987.


Metzger, Bruce Manning. The New Testament, Its Background, Growth, and Content. Abingdon, 1965.


Miller, Madeleine S., and J. Lane. Harper’s Encyclopedia of Bible Life. Rev. by Boyce M. Bennett and David Scott. Harper, 1978.


*Pfeiffer, Charles F. The Biblical World. Baker, 1966.


*———. Old Testament History. Baker, 1973.


*——— and Howard F. Vos. The Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands. Moody, 1967.


Reicke, Bo. The New Testament Era. Fortress, 1968.


Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks. 3d ed. Harper, 1980.


*Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament Times. Eerdmans, 1965.


Thompson, J. A. The Bible and Archaeology. Eerdmans, 1972.


*———. Handbook of Life in Bible Times. InterVarsity, 1986.


Vos, Howard F. Archaeology in Biblical Lands. Moody, 1987.


Wood, Leon. Israel’s United Monarchy. Baker, 1979.


———. The Prophets of Israel. Baker, 1979.


*———. A Survey of Israel’s History. Rev. by David O’Brien. Zondervan, 1986.


Yamauchi, Edwin M. Pre-Christian Gnosticism. 2d ed. Baker, 1983.


X. Survey and Introduction


*Alexander, David, and Pat Alexander. Eerdman’s Handbook to the Bible. Eerdmans, 1973.


Andrews, Samuel J. The Life of Our Lord Upon the Earth. Zondervan, 1954.


*Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. Moody, 1974.


*Bruce, A. B. The Training of the Twelve. Zondervan, 1963.


Bruce, F. F. The Letters of Paul and Expanded Paraphrase. Eerdmans, 1965.


———. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Eerdmans, 1977.


Bullock, C. Hassell. An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books. Moody, 1988.


Conybeare, W. J., and J. S. Howsen. The Life and Epistles of Saint Paul. Eerdmans, 1954.


Craigie, Peter C. The Old Testament, Its Background, Growth, and Content. Abingdon, 1986.


*Culver, Robert D. The Life of Christ. Baker, 1976.


Farrar, Frederic W. The Life of Christ. 2 vols. Cassell, 1874.


———. The Life and Work of St. Paul. 2 vols. Cassell, 1879.


Foakes Jackson, F. J., and Kirsopp Lake. The Beginnings of Christianity. 5 vols. Macmillan, 1920.


*Freeman, Hobart E. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets. Moody, 1968.


*Gromacki, Robert. New Testament Survey. Baker, 1974.


*Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament. Zondervan, 1981.


Guthrie, Donald. The Apostles. Zondervan, 1975.


———. Jesus the Messiah. Zondervan, 1972.


*———. New Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. InterVarsity, 1990.


*Harrison, Everett F. Introduction to the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1964.


Harrison, Roland K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1969.


*Hiebert, D. Edmond. An Introduction to the New Testament. 3 vols. Moody, 1975–77.


Kaiser, Walter C. Classical Evangelical Essays in Old Testament Interpretation. Baker, 1972.


Kidner, Derek. An Introduction to Wisdom Literature, The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.InterVarsity, 1985.


Kistemaker, Simon. The Parables of Jesus. Baker, 1980.


*LaSor, William Sanford, David Hubbard, and Frederic Bush. Old Testament Survey. Eerdmans, 1982.


Morgan, G. Campell. The Crises of the Christ. Revell, n.d.


———. The Parables and Metaphors of Our Lord. Revell, n.d.


———. The Teaching of Christ. Revell, n.d.


Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Words and Works of Jesus Christ. Zondervan, 1981.


Ramsay, William. The Church in the Roman Empire. Baker, 1954.


———. The Cities of Saint Paul. Baker, 1960.


———. Saint Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen. Baker, 1949.


Robertson, A. T. A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ. Harper, 1950.


Schultz, Samuel J. The Old Testament Speaks. Harper, 1970.


Scroggie, William Graham. A Guide to the Gospels. Revell, 1948.


*———. Know Your Bible. Pickering, 1940.


———. The Unfolding Drama of Redemption. Zondervan, 1970.


Shepard, J. W. The Life and Letter of Saint Paul. Eerdmans, 1950.


*Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament Survey. Rev. by Walter M. Dunnett. Eerdmans, 1985.


*Thomas, Robert L., and Stanley N. Gundry. A Harmony of the Gospels with Explanations and Essays. Harper, 1978.


———. The NIV Harmony of the Gospels. Harper, 1988.


Trench, R. C. Notes on the Parables. Pickering, 1953.


Unger, Merrill F. Introductory Guide to the Old Testament. Zondervan, 1951.


*———. Unger’s Guide to the Bible. Tyndale, 1974.


Young, Edward J. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1960.


XI. Theological Works


*Berkhof, L. Systematic Theology. Eerdmans, 1941.


Bruce, F. F. New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes. Eerdmans, 1968.


Buswell, James Oliver. A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion. Zondervan, 1962.


Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. 8 vols. Dallas Seminary, 1947.


*Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3 vols. Baker, 1983–85.


Feinberg, Charles L. Millennialism: The Two Major Views. 3d ed. Moody, 1980.


Gill, John. Body of Divinity. Lassetter, 1965.


Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. InterVarsity, 1981.


Hodge, Charles. Systematic Theology. 3 vols. Clarke, 1960.


*Kaiser, Walter C. Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Baker, 1981.


———. Old Testament Theology. Zondervan, 1978.


*McClain, Alva J. The Greatness of the Kingdom. Moody, 1959.


Murray, John. Collected Writings of John Murray. 4 vols. Banner of Truth, 1976–82.


Oehler, Gustav Friedrich. Theology of the Old Testament. Funk and Wagnalls, 1884.


Packer, J. I., ed. The Best in Theology. Vol. 1 of multi-volume series. Christianity Today, 1987–.


Payne, J. Barton. Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy. Harper, 1973.


*Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. Zondervan, 1958.


Ridderbos, Herman. Paul: An Outline of His Theology. Eerdmans, 1975.


Ryrie, Charles C. Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Moody, 1959.


Shedd, William G. T. Dogmatic Theology. 3 vols. Zondervan, (reprint) n.d..


Vos, Gerhardus. Biblical Theology. Eerdmans, 1948.


Warfield, Benjamin B. Biblical and Theological Studies. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1968.


———. Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield. 2 vols. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1970.


XII. One-Volume Commentaries


Guthrie, Donald, J. A. Motyer, A. M. Stibbs, and D. J. Wiseman, eds. The New Bible Commentary: Revised. 3d ed. Eerdmans, 1970.


*Harrison, E. F., and Charles F. Pfeiffer. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Moody, 1962.


XIII. Commentary Sets


*Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. Moody, 1958.


Barclay, William F. The Daily Bible Series. Rev. ed. 18 vols. Westminster, 1975.


Barker, Kenneth L. The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. 56 vols. when complete. Moody, 1988–.


Bruce, F. F., ed. New International Commentary on the New Testament. 20 vols. so far. Eerdmans.


Calvin, John. Calvin’s Commentaries. 22 vols. Baker, 1981.


*Gaebelein, Frank E., general ed. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. 12 vols. when complete. Zondervan,1978–.


Harrison, R. K., ed. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. 15 vols. so far. Eerdmans.


*Hendriksen, William, and Simon J. Kistemaker. New Testament Commentary. 12 vols. so far. Baker, 1954–.


*Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. 6 vols. Revell, n.d.


Hubbard, David, and Glenn W. Barker. Word Biblical Commentary. 52 vols. when complete. Word.


*Keil, C. F., and F. Delitzsch. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. 11 vols. Eerdmans, 1968.


Lange, John Peter. Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical. 12 vols. Zondervan, 1960.


Lenski, R. C. H. Interpretation of the New Testament. 12 vols. Augsburg, 1943.


*MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Moody, 1983–.


Meyer, H. A. W. Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the New Testament. 11 vols. Funk and Wagnalls, 1884.


*Morris, Leon, ed. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Various eds. 20 vols. InterVarsity.


*Nicoll, William Robertson. The Expositor’s Greek New Testament. 5 vols. Eerdmans, 1970.


Perowne, J. J. S., gen ed. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. 60 vols. Cambridge, 1880–.


*Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. 6 vols. Broadman, 1930.


Vincent, Marvin R. Word Studies in the New Testament. 4 vols. Eerdmans, 1946.


*Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 2 vols. Victor, 1983.


*Wiseman, D. J., ed. The Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. 21 vols. so far. InterVarsity.


Wuest, Kenneth S. Wuest’s Word Studies From the Greek New Testament. 3 vols. Eerdmans, 1973.


XIV. Individual Book Commentaries


Genesis


*Davis, John J. Paradise to Prison. Baker, 1976.


Leupold, H. C. Exposition of Genesis. Baker, 1963.


Stigers, Harold G. A Commentary on Genesis. Zondervan, 1976.


Exodus


Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Book of Exodus. 2 vols. Klock and Klock, 1976.


Childs, Brevard. The Book of Exodus: A Critical, Theological Commentary. Westminster, 1974.


*Davis, John J. Moses and the Gods of Egypt. 2d ed. Baker, 1986.


Leviticus


Bonar, Andrew. A Commentary on the Book of Leviticus. Zondervan, 1959.


Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Book of Leviticus. Klock and Klock, 1976.


*Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1979.


Numbers


Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Book of Numbers. Klock and Klock, 1976.


Gray, George G. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Numbers. International Critical Commentary. T. & T. Clark, 1912.


*Harrison, R. K. The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary: Numbers. Moody, 1990.


Deuteronomy


*Craigie, Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy. New International Critical Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1976.


Driver, S. R. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Deuteronomy. International Critical Commentary. T. & T. Clark, 1902.


Reider, Joseph. The Holy Scriptures: Deuteronomy. Jewish Publication Society, 1937.


Joshua


Davis, John J. Conquest and Crisis. Baker, 1969.


Pink, Arthur. Gleanings in Joshua. Moody, 1964.


*Woudstra, Marten H. The Book of Joshua. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1981.


Judges


Bush, George. Notes, Critical and Practical on the Book of Judges. Klock and Klock, 1976.


Moore, George F. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Judges. International Critical Commentary. T. & T. Clark, 1901.


*Wood, Leon J. Distressing Days of the Judges. Zondervan, 1975.


Ruth


Atkinson, David. The Message of Ruth. InterVarsity, 1983.


Barber, Cyril J. Ruth: An Expositional Commentary. Moody, 1983.


*Hubbard, Robert L. The Book of Ruth. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1988.


Morris, Leon. Ruth, an Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. InterVarsity, 1968.


1 & 2 Samuel


Anderson, A. A. Word Biblical Commentary: II Samuel. Word, 1989.


*Davis, John J., and John C. Whitcomb. A History of Israel: From Conquest to Exile. Baker, 1980.


Gordon, Robert P. I & II Samuel: A Commentary. Zondervan, 1986.


Keil, C. F., and F. Delitzsch. Biblical Commentary on the Books of Samuel. Eerdmans, 1971.


Klein, Ralph W. Word Biblical Commentary: I Samuel. Word, 1983.


1 & 2 Kings


DeVries, Simon J. Word Biblical Commentary: I Kings. Word, 1985.


Hobbs, T. R. Word Biblical Commentary: II Kings. Word, 1985.


*Keil, C. F. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: The Books of the Kings. Eerdmans, 1971.


Montgomery, James A. The Book of Kings. International Critical Commentary; T. & T. Clark, 1951.


Newsome, James D., ed. A Synoptic Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles. Baker, 1986.


1 & 2 Chronicles


Braun, Roddy. Word Biblical Commentary: I Chronicles. Word, 1986.


Dillard, Raymond B. Word Biblical Commentary: II Chronicles. Word, 1987.


*Keil, C. F. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of the Chronicles. Eerdmans, 1971.


Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Chronicles. InterVarsity, 1987.


Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther


Barber, Cyril J. Nehemiah and the Dynamics of Effective Leadership. Loizeaux, 1976.


Cassel, Paulus. An Explanatory Commentary on Esther. Edinburg, 1881.


Keil, C. F. The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Eerdmans, 1970.


*Kidner, Derek. Ezra and Nehemiah, An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries; InterVarsity, 1979.


*Whitcomb, John C. Esther: Triumph of God’s Sovereignty. Moody, 1979.


Williamson, H. G. M. Word Biblical Commentary: Ezra, Nehemiah. Word, 1985.


Job


*Anderson, Francis I. Job. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries; InterVarsity, 1976.


Delitzsch, Franz. Biblical Commentary on the Book of Job. 2 vols. Eerdmans, 1970.


Dhorme, Edouard. A Commentary on the Book of Job. Nelson, 1967.


Psalms


Alexander, J. A. The Psalms Translated and Explained. Zondervan, n.d.


Leupold, H. C. Exposition on the Psalms. Baker, 1969.


Scroggie, W. Graham. The Psalms. Pickering, 1965.


*Spurgeon, C. H. The Treasury of David. 3 vols. Zondervan, 1966.


Proverbs


*Alden, Robert L. Proverbs. Baker, 1983.


Bridges, Charles. A Commentary on Proverbs. Banner of Truth, 1968.


Delitzsch, Franz. Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs of Solomon. 2 vols. Eerdmans, 1970.


McKane, William. Proverbs. Old Testament Library; Westminster, 1970.


Ecclesiastes


Eaton, Michael. Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary. InterVarsity, 1983.


*Kaiser, Walter C. Ecclesiastes: Total Life. Moody, 1979.


Leupold, H. C. Exposition of Ecclesiastes. Baker, 1952.


Song of Solomon


Burrowes, George. A Commentrary on The Song of Solomon. Banner of Truth, 1973.


*Carr, G. Lloyd. The Song of Solomon. InterVarsity, 1984.


Durham, James. The Song of Solomon. Banner of Truth, 1982.


Isaiah


Alexander, Joseph A. Isaiah, Translated and Explained. Zondervan, 1974.


Morgan, G. Campbell. The Prophecy of Isaiah. The Analyzed Bible. 2 vols. Hodder and Stoughton, 1910.


*Young, Edward J. The Book of Isaiah. 3 vols. Eerdmans, 1965–72.


Jeremiah


*Feinberg, Charles L. Jeremiah, A Commentary. Zondervan, 1982.


Laetsch, Theodore. Jeremiah. Concordia, 1952.


Morgan, G. Campbell. Studies in the Prophecy of Jeremiah. Revell, 1969.


Lamentations


*Harrison, R. K. Jeremiah and Lamentations. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries; InterVarsity, 1973.


Jensen, Irving L. Jeremiah and Lamentations. Moody, 1974.


Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. A Biblical Approach to Personal Suffering. Moody, 1982.


Ezekiel


*Feinberg, Charles L. The Prophecy of Ezekiel. Moody, 1969.


Keil, Carl Friedrich. Biblical Commentary on the Prophecies of Ezekiel. 2 vols. Eerdmans, 1970.


Taylor, John B. Ezekiel, An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries; InterVarsity, 1969.


Daniel


*Walvoord, John F. Daniel, The Key to Prophetic Revelation. Moody, 1971.


Wood, Leon J. Commentary on Daniel. Zondervan, 1972.


Young, Edward J. The Messianic Prophecies of Daniel. Eerdmans, 1954.


Minor Prophets


*Feinberg, Charles L. The Minor Prophets. Moody, 1976.


Keil, C. F., and Franz Delitzsch. The Twelve Minor Prophets. 2 vols. Eerdmans, 1961.


Laetsch, Theodore. The Minor Prophets. Concordia, 1956.


Pusey, E. B. The Minor Prophets, a Commentary. Baker, 1956.


Matthew


Broadus, John A. Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. American Baptist, 1886.


Hendriksen, William. The Gospel of Matthew. Baker, 1973.


MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Matthew. 4 vols. Moody, 1985–89.


Morgan, G. Campbell. The Gospel According to Matthew. Revell, n.d.


*Toussaint, Stanley D. Behold the King, A Study of Matthew. Multnomah, 1980.


Mark


Hendriksen, William. The Gospel of Mark. Baker, 1975.


*Hiebert, D. Edmond. Mark, A Portrait of the Servant. Moody, 1974.


Morgan, G. C. The Gospel According to Mark. Revell, n.d.


Swete, Henry Barclay. The Gospel According to Saint Mark. Eerdmans, 1952.


Luke


Hendriksen, William. The Gospel of Luke. Baker, 1978.


Morgan, G. Campbell. The Gospel According to Luke. Revell, n.d.


*Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to St. Luke. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries; Eerdmans, 1974.


Plummer, Alfred. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Luke. International Critical Commentary; T. & T. Clark, 1922.


John


Hendriksen, William. Exposition of the Gospel According to John. Baker, 1961.


Morgan, G. Campell. The Gospel According to John. Revell, n.d..


*Morris, Leon. Commentary on the Gospel of John. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1970.


Westcott, B. F. The Gospel According to Saint John. Eerdmans, 1950.


Acts


Bruce, F. F. The Book of Acts. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1956.


*Harrison, Everett F. Acts: The Expanding Church. Moody, 1976.


Kistemaker, Simon J. New Testament Commentary, Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. Baker, 1990.


Morgan, G. Campbell. The Acts of the Apostles. Revell, n.d.


Romans


*Cranfield, C. E. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. 2 vols. International Critical Commentary; T. & T. Clark, 1975–77.


Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Romans. 6 vols. Zondervan, 1971–76.


MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Romans. Multi-volume. Moody, 1991–.


McClain, Alva J. Romans, the Gospel of God’s Grace. Moody, 1973.


Murray, John. The Epistle to the Romans. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1968.


1 Corinthians


*Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1987.


Godet, Franz. Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Zondervan, 1957.


MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians. Moody, 1984.


Robertson, Archibald, and A. Plummer. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. International Critical Commentary; T. & T. Clark, 1914.


2 Corinthians


*Hughes, Philip E. Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1962.


Kent, Homer A. A Heart Opened Wide: Studies in II Corinthians. Baker, 1982.


Plummer, Alfred. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. International Critical Commentary; T. & T. Clark, 1915.


Galatians


Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians, A Commentary on the Greek Text. Eerdmans, 1982.


*Kent, Homer A., Jr. The Freedom of God’s Sons: Studies in Galatians. Baker, 1976.


Lightfoot, Joseph Barber. The Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. Zondervan, 1966.


MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Galatians. Moody, 1987.


Ephesians


*Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1984.


Hendriksen, William. Epistle to the Ephesians. Baker, 1966.


Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Expositions on Ephesians. 8 vols. Baker, 1972–82.


MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Ephesians. Moody, 1986.


Salmond, S. D. F. “The Epistle to the Ephesians.” Vol 3. in Expositor’s Greek Testament. Eerdmans, 1970.


Philippians


Hendriksen, William. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians. Baker, 1962.


*Lightfoot, Joseph B. Commentary on the Epistle of St. Paul Philippians. Zondervan, 1953.


Vincent, Marvin R. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Philippians and to Philemon.International Critical Commentary; T. & T. Clark, 1897.


Colossians


*Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1984.


Hendriksen, William. Exposition of Colossians and Philemon. Baker, 1964.


Lightfoot, Joseph Barber. St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. Zondervan, 1959.


Philemon


See Philippians and Colossians listings, above.


1 & 2 Thessalonians


Hendriksen, William. Exposition of I and II Thessalonians. Baker, 1955.


Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Thessalonian Epistles. Moody, 1971.


Morris, Leon. The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1959.


*Thomas, Robert L. “1, 2 Thessalonians.” Vol. 11 in Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Zondervan, 1978.


1 & 2 Timothy, Titus


Fairbairn, Patrick. Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. Zondervan, 1956.


Hendriksen, William. Exposition of The Pastoral Epistles. Baker, 1957.


*Kent, Homer A. The Pastoral Epistles. Moody, 1982.


Simpson, E. K. The Pastoral Epistles. Tyndale, 1954.


Hebrews


Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Hebrews. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 1990.


Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Eerdmans, 1977.


*Kent, Homer A. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Baker, 1972.


MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Hebrews. Moody, 1983.


Westcott, Brooke Foss. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Eerdmans, 1970.


James


Adamson, James B. The Epistle of James. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Eerdmans, 1976.


———. James, the Man and His Message. Eerdmans, 1989.


*Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Epistle of James, Tests of a Living Faith. Moody, 1979.


Mayor, Joseph Bickersteth. The Epistle of St. James. Zondervan, 1954.


1 Peter


*Hiebert, David Edmond. First Peter. Moody, 1984.


Kistemaker, Simon J. Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and of the Epistle of Jude. Baker, 1987.


Selwin, Edward Gordon. First Epistle of Saint Peter. Macmillan, 1961.


2 Peter, Jude


*Hiebert, David Edmond. Second Peter and Jude. Unusual Publications, 1989.


Kistemaker, Simon J. Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and of the Epistle of Jude. Baker, 1987.


Lawlor, George Lawrence. The Epistle of Jude, a Translation and Exposition. Presbyterian and Reformed, 1972.


Mayor, James B. The Epistle of St. Jude and the Second Epistle of St. Peter. Macmillan, 1907.


1, 2, 3 John


Candlish, Robert Smith. The First Epistle of John. Zondervan, n.d.


Findlay, George G. Fellowship in the Life Eternal. Eerdmans, 1955.


*Kistemaker, Simon J. Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John. Baker, 1986.


Westcott, Brooke Foss. The Epistles of Saint John. Eerdmans, 1966.


Revelation


Beckwith, Isbon T. The Apocalypse of John. Macmillan, 1919.


*Swete, Henry Barclay. The Apocalypse of St. John. Eerdmans.


Thomas, Robert L. Revelation 1–7, An Exegetical Commentary. Vol. 1 of 2 vols. Moody, 1992.


Walvoord, John F. The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Moody, 1966.


The Book recommendations above from John MacArthur. Rediscovering Expository Preaching. Dallas: Word, 1997, 108-208.


About the Author: Dr. John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. Grace Church has grown from 450 members in 1969, when MacArthur accepted the pastorate, to over 12,000 today. He is also the president of The Master’s College and Seminary in Newhall, California, a prolific author of more than two dozen books, and the speaker on the worldwide radio broadcast, Grace to You, heard over 700 times daily–every half hour, day and night, somewhere around the world. 

The primary emphasis of MacArthur’s ministry has always been the expository preaching and teaching of God’s Word through a verse-by-verse exposition of the Scripture. His studies pay particular attention to the historical and grammatical aspects of each biblical passage. MacArthur’s recently published book, How to Get the Most from God’s Word, released in conjunction with The MacArthur Study Bible, is designed to fill what he sees as “an increased hunger for the meat of the Word.” He assures the reader that the Bible is trustworthy and that an understanding of Scripture is available to everyone. He then provides guidance on how to study the Bible and how to discern the meaning of Scripture for oneself. Dr. MacArthur explains that the book and the Study Bible have been “in the works for 30 years…the product of 32 hours a week, 52 weeks a year…dedicated to the study of God’s Word.” He asserts that “God’s Word is the only thing that satisfies my appetite, but it also arouses an even deeper hunger for more.”

Among MacArthur’s other books are The MacArthur New Testament Commentary series, The Gospel According to Jesus, The Master’s Plan for the Church, Saved Without a Doubt, The Glory of Heaven, Lord Teach Me to Pray, Unleashing God’s Word in Your Life, Safe in the Arms of God, The Second Coming, Why One Way?, and Truth for Today, and Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ. His books have been translated into Chinese, Czechoslovakian, French, Finnish, Hungarian, Korean, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, and several Indian languages. Though occasionally viewed by some groups as a controversial figure for strong critiques of freudian psychology, trends in the modern charismatic movement as well as the self-esteem movement, John MacArthur is seen by many as a champion of correcting many of the ills of evangelical Christianity. He is also a champion of helping believers grow stronger in their relationship with God through the committed study of the Word and personal commitment to the local church.
MacArthur spent his first two years of college at Bob Jones University, completed his undergraduate work at Los Angeles Pacific College, and studied for the ministry at Talbot Theological Seminary. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California. They have four grown children — Matt, Marcy, Mark, and Melinda–and eight grandchildren.