Wycliffe Bible Commentary

Rating:
Summary: Good representation of the American Reformed tradition
Review: The Wycliffe Bible Commentary is a handy, one-volume commentary on the Bible. It is edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer (OT) and Everett F. Harrison (NT); and represents the best of the American Reformed scholarship. For a volume of its portable size and scope, it certainly covers a lot of ground. Essays introducing each individual book covers many important authorship/stylistic/history issues and represent the views of scholars from many different theological persuasion. This is followed by book-outlines and a "phrase-by-phrase" commentary on each book. Bibligraphy sections that accompany each book's commentary are also helpful for deeper research and studies.

All in all, this volume avoids many extremes and usually present their views from a reverent, relevant yet objective stance. It differs from the wafer-thin style of commentary of the Dallas Theological Seminary volumes as well as the (in my opinion), overtly "devotional" style commentary by Matthew Henry. Many scholarly views/counter-views are carefully considered and space is given to recent archaeological/historical findings.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent One-Volume Commentary
Review: There are very few good one-volume commentary out there. Certainly New Bible Commentary (3rd edition) is very good and I use it often. However, Wycliffe Bible Commentary (WBC) is equally excellent and in some areas it is better.
1. It is written by many (really many) excellent conservative Bible Scholars from various theological background (Reformed, Dispensational, etc). Other one-volume commentaries do not have this many reputable scholars.
2. It does not include additional articles (i.e., about the Bible, canonicity, Pauline themes, Synoptic issues, etc.). This commentary only comments on the Scriptures. It only includes one article, "From Malachi to Matthew."
3. It is very devotional. It still challenges believers. While certainly scholarly, it is still spiritually stimulating.
4. Biblical passages are written in bold type, hence you can easily recognize them and the comments (normal typeset). The font size is big enough to be easy on your eyes.
5. For an one-volume commentary, it is very thorough (because the whole book is devoted to commentary of the Bible w/o the additional articles). This is where WBC is better than NBC. It has more comments/insight for the Bible.

In sum, I heartily recommend this commentary to any one who desires to know the Bible better.

Rating:
Summary: Good One-Volume Commentary (Reformed)
Review: This one-volume commentary is written from the REFORMED point of view. The authors are established scholars who hold completely to the fundamentals of the Christian faith. It is not a devotional commentary, rather, it focuses on understanding what the Bible says and means, leaving it up to the reader to apply this to life today.

Rating:
Summary: Good One-Volume Commentary (Reformed)
Review: This one-volume commentary is written from the REFORMED point of view. The authors are established scholars who hold completely to the fundamentals of the Christian faith. It is not a devotional commentary, rather, it focuses on understanding what the Bible says and means, leaving it up to the reader to apply this to life today.