Richard D. Phillips

Richard D. Phillips is an American pastor and theologian of the contemporary era, writing from a confessional Reformed tradition within the Presbyterian world.

He is best known for steady, text led exposition that aims to serve the pulpit and strengthen ordinary church life. Across his preaching and writing he presses the gospel’s claims on the mind and heart, with particular care for the doctrines of grace, the shape of Christian discipleship, and the importance of Christ centred ministry.

He remains valued because he writes plainly, keeps application close to the passage, and offers counsel that is both firm and tender. His work is especially useful where pastors need clear doctrinal framing without losing the immediacy of Scripture’s call to faith and repentance. Recommended titles include What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace, The Masculine Mandate, and his Reformed Expository Commentary volumes such as Philippians.

Theological Perspective: Reformed

Richard D. Phillips

Richard D. Phillips

Richard D. Phillips is an American pastor and theologian of the contemporary era, writing from a confessional Reformed tradition within the Presbyterian world.

He is best known for steady, text led exposition that aims to serve the pulpit and strengthen ordinary church life. Across his preaching and writing he presses the gospel’s claims on the mind and heart, with particular care for the doctrines of grace, the shape of Christian discipleship, and the importance of Christ centred ministry.

He remains valued because he writes plainly, keeps application close to the passage, and offers counsel that is both firm and tender. His work is especially useful where pastors need clear doctrinal framing without losing the immediacy of Scripture’s call to faith and repentance. Recommended titles include What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace, The Masculine Mandate, and his Reformed Expository Commentary volumes such as Philippians.

Theological Perspective: Reformed

Reset

Psalms 73 to 106

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingTop choice
8.5
Author: Richard D. Phillips
Bible Book: Psalms
Series: Reformed Expository Commentary
Type: Expository (Mid-Level)
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary

Summary

We find this volume a strong aid for preaching Psalms, particularly for helping us read the Psalms as prayer and praise shaped by covenant faith.

It gives us clear sense of genre, movement, and pastoral purpose, and it helps us handle lament and confidence without sentimentality.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own it when we want help preaching the Psalms as Scripture for the gathered church. It encourages us to read carefully, then to pray and proclaim with honesty.

It is also practical. We are helped with structure and emphasis, which matters when a psalm turns quickly from complaint to hope.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend it as a strong mid level expositional help for these Psalms, especially for pastors seeking clear guidance for sermon shape and pastoral application.

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.


🛒
Purchase here

Psalms 42 to 72

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
8.4
Author: Richard D. Phillips
Bible Book: Psalms
Series: Reformed Expository Commentary
Type: Expository (Mid-Level)
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary

Summary

We find this volume a strong aid for preaching Psalms, particularly for helping us read the Psalms as prayer and praise shaped by covenant faith.

It gives us clear sense of genre, movement, and pastoral purpose, and it helps us handle lament and confidence without sentimentality.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own it when we want help preaching the Psalms as Scripture for the gathered church. It encourages us to read carefully, then to pray and proclaim with honesty.

It is also practical. We are helped with structure and emphasis, which matters when a psalm turns quickly from complaint to hope.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend it as a strong mid level expositional help for these Psalms, especially for pastors seeking clear guidance for sermon shape and pastoral application.

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.


🛒
Purchase here

2 Samuel

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
8.3
Author: Richard D. Phillips
Bible Book: 2 Samuel
Series: Reformed Expository Commentary
Type: Expository (Mid-Level)
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary

Summary

We find this commentary to be a clear guide for preaching 2 Samuel, keeping the narrative flow visible and helping us see what the Lord is teaching through leadership, covenant, and the cost of sin.

It keeps us from flattening the stories into slogans, and it repeatedly draws us back to the text’s own emphases, particularly the Lord’s purposes that stand over kings and people alike.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own it when we want help preaching narrative with discipline. 2 Samuel can become either mere biography or constant warning, this book helps us read with theological balance and pastoral realism.

It is also useful for sermon shaping. We are given clear sections, clear stakes, and steady application that presses toward humble faith rather than mere moral resolve.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend it as a strong preaching companion for 2 Samuel. Pair it with a more technical volume when you need deeper discussion on textual or historical questions.

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.


🛒
Purchase here

1 Samuel

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
8.2
Author: Richard D. Phillips
Bible Book: 1 Samuel
Series: Reformed Expository Commentary
Type: Expository (Mid-Level)
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary

Summary

We find this commentary to be a clear guide for preaching 1 Samuel, keeping the narrative flow visible and helping us see what the Lord is teaching through leadership, covenant, and the cost of sin.

It keeps us from flattening the stories into slogans, and it repeatedly draws us back to the text’s own emphases, particularly the Lord’s purposes that stand over kings and people alike.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own it when we want help preaching narrative with discipline. 1 Samuel can become either mere biography or constant warning, this book helps us read with theological balance and pastoral realism.

It is also useful for sermon shaping. We are given clear sections, clear stakes, and steady application that presses toward humble faith rather than mere moral resolve.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend it as a strong preaching companion for 1 Samuel. Pair it with a more technical volume when you need deeper discussion on textual or historical questions.

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.


🛒
Purchase here

Genesis (2 vols)

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
8.1
Author: Richard D. Phillips
Bible Book: Genesis
Series: Reformed Expository Commentary
Type: Expository (Mid-Level)
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Theological Perspective: Reformed
Resource Type: Commentary

Summary

We find this volume set to be a steady, text led companion for preaching Genesis, with a clear instinct for the shape of the narrative and the covenant promises that drive it forward.

It helps us follow the movement from creation to the patriarchs without rushing the hard questions or losing the storyline that prepares us for the gospel.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own it when we need help holding together narrative detail and theological weight. Genesis is often preached either as moral examples or as detached debates, this commentary keeps us close to what the passage is doing.

It also supports sermon structure. We are regularly helped to see the main line, the turning points, and the pastoral pressure of the text on faith, worship, and obedience.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend it as a strong mid level expositional help for a Genesis series, especially when we want a Reformed voice that is calm, reverent, and practically useful.

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.


🛒
Purchase here