Proverbs

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
Bible Book: Proverbs
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Looking for alternatives? Compare Proverbs commentaries.

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.4/10

A ministry friendly Proverbs commentary that helps us teach wisdom with depth, clarity, and searching application.

Publication Date(s): 1968
Pages: 656
ISBN: 9780851510880
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.7/10
We find consistent concern to read Proverbs as wisdom shaped by the fear of the Lord, not as isolated moral tips.
Christ Centredness: 7.9/10
Christ is not overlaid on every saying, yet the moral formation Proverbs seeks is situated within a God centred, covenant shaped vision.
Depth of Insight: 8.5/10
We are helped by Bridges’s ability to diagnose the heart beneath everyday behaviour, and to do so from the text.
Clarity of Writing: 8.2/10
Clear, structured, and generally easy to use as a working companion.
Pastoral Usefulness: 8.9/10
Excellent for practical holiness and wise living, with steady application that serves preaching and pastoral care.
Readability: 8/10
Older style, but very readable, and it can be consulted efficiently in preparation.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
656 pages
Type
Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective
Reformed
Overall score
8.4 / 10
Strength
Strong heart level application anchored in a God centred reading of wisdom.
Limitation
Less technical on Hebrew and recent academic discussion.

We find Bridges’s Proverbs a clear and spiritually steady guide that helps us preach wisdom without turning it into slogans. He treats Proverbs as covenant instruction for the fear of the Lord, and he repeatedly shows how the book shapes character over time.

He is especially helpful where modern readers want quick fixes. Bridges slows us down, exposes the heart, and presses us to see wisdom as the Lord’s gift, not our technique.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary because it helps us handle short sayings responsibly. Bridges keeps the context of wisdom theology in view, and he helps us avoid misusing Proverbs as promises detached from the Lord’s purposes.

We also benefit from the pastoral tone. He applies Proverbs with seriousness, but he does so with compassion, recognising the daily battles of speech, work, relationships, money, and self control.

For preaching and discipleship, it gives a steady stream of clear applications that can serve both pulpit and counselling room.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a strong mid level commentary for teaching Proverbs, especially for those who want rich application that remains tethered to the fear of the Lord. Pair it with a modern reference work for linguistic detail if needed, but Bridges remains exceptionally useful for ministry.

As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

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Reviewed by

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