Making Use of Commentaries

[Blood-Bought Pilgrim]

I'm hoping those among us who preach can weigh in with some wisdom. Though I've gotten a number of sermons under my belt now, my process is still a bit in flux, and I'd imagine others may be curious as well.

My main question is this; when you are preparing to preach, how do you make use of commentaries in your preparation process?

Some sub-questions include-- When in the process do you consult them, and when you do, how many do you consult? How do you choose which ones to consult? What kind of information are you looking for (do you only look for exegetical help, do you read more devotional ones for application, etc.)?

I'm curious to hear what everyone does. Thanks!

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Hello Andrew,

When I preach on a book of Scripture, I first of all become well-acquainted with the passage I am preaching on and its context; then I collect the commentaries of those men I am familiar with, both exegetical skills and devotional (including in this spiritual insight), and those that are given to much and strong application. Especially is this approach helpful to me now as, at my age (82), my "elevator doesn't always go to the top floor" and I need extra help.

I'm going through Revelation now (still in the 7 letters of Rev 2 and 3), and I have maybe 10 commentaries I use if I need to (I have many more but don't look into most of them anymore). I also listen to sermons I preached on the book 15 years ago. I still look a little into Beale, more Dennis E. Johnson, Hendriksen; I should also include Richard Bauckham, who has rare insight; and especially a newer 2 volume set by Max Doner, Revelation: A Manual of Spiritual Warfare. This set is very strong on both information, historical and exegetical, but especially application. Sometimes the fear of God comes upon my heart when I realize His immediate presence, and my own lacks as a pastor, and the crucial importance of the book of Revelation for His church (it is, after all, Jesus' final prophecy, and His final exhortations to His suffering churches). Doner's is an important set of books for the pastor in our time (although they are based on sermons he preached to his congregation — he is amil / idealist).

I am very grateful that my Lord is gracious, and helps me in my insufficiency — He now my sufficiency, by His Spirit bringing His presence to make real His word, and well feed the listening flock.

But getting back more to your questions: I read commentaries for historical and geographical background, as well as devotional material, as well as the other things I mentioned above. I find I am often dull spiritually; but I have good teachers; my library is like having a room full of wise friends.

My wife, on the other hand, who teaches women's Bible studies in an inter-church group that meets near our home, rarely uses commentaries, but is very familiar with the Scriptures, and that suffices her (though she does use Bible dictionaries, and exegetical helps / Greek - Hebrew lexicons and the like). She will consult me, when she needs to. (I am blessed to have a companion like her!!)

I hope this helps.

 

[JP Wallace]

My Process more or less is as follows:

1) Decide on what my preaching unit will be, verses, paragraph, chapter or whatever.
2) Translate from Greek or Hebrew
3) Determine what the primary or main point is in the passage
4) Determine what the "argument of the text is - i.e how the author establishes his main point or thrust
5) Start working on headings/points of the sermon
6) Look at commentaries - check my analysis of the text is is the right direction! I will have perhaps noted down some questions I have about the text in 1-5 I will check if and how the commentaries answer or deal or with those questions.

I will only consult a few commentaries maybe four or five, the old standards like Matthew Henry, Calvin etc. Then a modern textual commentary or two, and maybe a couple of more modern applicatiory commentaries.

7) Finalize or revise structure and type up.

As you can see I go to the commentaries late. However it is legitimate I think to go earlier if you are really struggling to get a grip on the text - a quick browse of one or two can "prime the pump" get you in the right route to a sermon. But once the kick-start has produced some thoughts I think it best to set them aside again for a while and do the work myself before returning to them.

What info am I after? Depends on the sermon and text - geography, history, exegetical points, language, idiomatic phrases? Anything that helps to get a handle on the Word.