Commentaries

[DaveW]

You really need to get more than one for the simple reason that no man gets everything right.
Also, it is worth keeping in mind the associations of the writer as that knowledge helps you understand what he means at times. For example, a Presbyterian writer on baptism will most often be talking about infant baptism and relating it to circumcision.
Basically you can be aware of their bias.

The other thing I have found is that on the passages "hard to be understood", commentaries are often silent or very sparse - because they found it hard too!

I really would recommend something like Esword as mentioned above because the commentary add-ons are free or cheap, and linked so you can highlight the verse and then open the commentary directly to the reference.
Then you can cycle through each of the commentaries and build up a rounded understanding.
Sometimes what a commentator writes just looks stupid when you compare it to what others wrote.
And sometimes when reading these thoughts of men, you get clarity from the passage as it changes your point of view slightly.

[candlelight]

Laura, below is a KJV site with commentaries below scripture.  I don't know who the commentaries are from, so maybe someone else can comment.

http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Genesis&chapter=1&verse=1

[ThePilgrim]

You really need to get more than one for the simple reason that no man gets everything right.
Also, it is worth keeping in mind the associations of the writer as that knowledge helps you understand what he means at times. For example, a Presbyterian writer on baptism will most often be talking about infant baptism and relating it to circumcision.
Basically you can be aware of their bias.

The other thing I have found is that on the passages "hard to be understood", commentaries are often silent or very sparse - because they found it hard too!

I really would recommend something like Esword as mentioned above because the commentary add-ons are free or cheap, and linked so you can highlight the verse and then open the commentary directly to the reference.
Then you can cycle through each of the commentaries and build up a rounded understanding.
Sometimes what a commentator writes just looks stupid when you compare it to what others wrote.
And sometimes when reading these thoughts of men, you get clarity from the passage as it changes your point of view slightly.

Esword and all the free books is the way I have gone in the past few years.  I can get a lot of information and save a lot of money over what it costs to use some of the other bible programs.  Also when using commentaries, pay attention to the bible version being commented on. 

 

God bless,

Larry

[TheSword]

I'm kind of looking for something that covers the whole Bible so that while I'm reading, I can go to the commentary if I don't quite understand the passage and need some deeper insight.  Does that make sense?  For instance, I was reading about praying in the Holy Spirit...well, I wanted a more in depth understanding of what that means.

 

I've found The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck to be helpful and easy to read.