Curt Daniel's "Helpful Hints on Reading the Bible" (Part 8)

Dr. Curt Daniel's helpful hint #8 on reading the Bible. There are only two more left. Here it is:

8. READ A BIBLE COMMENTARY

"This suggestion is more than recommending having some good Bible commentaries in your personal library for reference when you get to difficult passages. Rather, it can be a very useful project to read a commentary all the way through as you study a certain book of the Bible. For instance, when you choose a book you want to memorize, it helps a lot to read a commentary on the book at the same time. Naturally, some commentaries are better than others. Some are more scholarly than others. Some have almost nothing to do with the passage upon which they are allegedly expounding. Some concentrate on the original languages; others are more practical; still others dwell on typology, prophecy, illustrations, history, etc. Further, some are not commentaries but expositions – sermons which expound all the way from basic explanation to general application. Obviously, the Christian will benefit more from those which respect Biblical inspiration and inerrancy. Commentaries by liberals, cults or Catholics should be avoided. Also, ask for recommendations from reliable teachers and preachers. Know the level you are looking for. There are excellent ones on every level. Commentaries which cover the entire Bible in a single volume are useful for the new Christian. The older believer may want something more. He can then chose individual volumes or a set which covers the whole Bible (some cover just the New Testament). Some Christians try to read all the way through the Bible in several years while reading book-length commentaries on every book of the Bible. That is an ambitious undertaking. Still, medium-length commentaries can be read all the way through with much benefit. Lastly, some commentaries are classics and should be consulted by all. Top of the list is the one by Matthew Henry. It is available in the unabridged 6 volumes or the I-volume abridgement. Spurgeon and Whitefield both read the entire unabridged set several times. The Expositors Bible Commentary is another [sic] fine 12-volume commentary."