Clear. Fair. Grounded in conviction.
The Expositor’s Library exists to help Christians make informed, confident decisions about Bible commentaries. Our aim is not to gatekeep or discourage, but to guide and equip — giving you a fair, balanced understanding of each work we assess.
We approach every review with honesty, care, and reverence for Scripture, always mindful that these are tools meant to serve the Church and deepen love for God’s Word.
Our Approach
We read and assess each commentary carefully and prayerfully, not as academics or critics, but as fellow believers who love the Scriptures. Every volume is read in full, allowing us to form a balanced and trustworthy impression of its value for study, teaching, and devotion.
Our reviews focus on the commentary itself — its strengths, weaknesses, and contribution to the understanding of the biblical text. Author and publisher information is provided elsewhere on the site to keep each review concise and centred on the content.
What We Look For
Each review is guided by six key criteria. These help us weigh both theological soundness and practical usefulness:
- Faithfulness to the Text – Does the author interpret Scripture accurately and with a high view of biblical authority?
- Christ-centredness – Does the commentary lead the reader toward Christ as the heart of Scripture?
- Depth of Insight – Does it genuinely open the text, offering more than surface-level observations?
- Clarity of Writing – Is the content accessible, well-structured, and free from unnecessary jargon?
- Pastoral Usefulness – Does it equip preachers, teachers, and believers for ministry and discipleship?
- Readability – Is it engaging enough for regular use and suitable for both pastors and everyday Christians?
These six areas form the backbone of our evaluations and the lens through which every commentary is viewed.
Our Scoring
We use a simple 1–10 scale to communicate a commentary’s overall usefulness.
- 0–3: Absent or not of any practical use.
- 4–6: Of some value — proceed with caution.
- 7–8: Very helpful; can be used confidently.
- 9–10: Exceptional — belongs in every expositor’s library.
Each score reflects careful consideration of the six criteria above and leads to an overall recommendation summarised at the end of the review.
Tone and Perspective
Our tone is friendly, helpful, and encouraging. We aim to serve both everyday Christians and those in ministry.
We write from a reformed and evangelical perspective, shaped by a Baptist background, yet we gladly recognise the value of other faithful approaches. Wherever truth follows the Bible and honours Christ, we rejoice to commend it.
Our Process
Every commentary is fully read — not skimmed or sampled.
We consider its argument, structure, and usefulness across the entire book.
Each review includes:
- A concise summary of the work.
- Key bibliographic details (publisher, ISBN, page count, etc.).
- Evaluation under the six criteria.
- A clear overall score.
- A short closing note: “How you should view this commentary.”
Our reviews are short, honest, and written to be accessible. You can grasp the essence of a commentary in just a few minutes.
Transparency and Integrity
We receive no payment for our reviews. The Expositor’s Library is entirely independent.
If we ever receive a complimentary copy from a publisher or author, this will be clearly stated on the relevant review page.
Affiliate links (such as to Amazon) help us cover costs, but they never influence our evaluations. Our allegiance is to Scripture, not to sales.
Our Goal
Our desire is simple:
To help readers make informed, confident choices about the resources they use to study God’s Word.
We are not here to censor, prohibit, or dictate which commentaries you may read.
We are here to help you choose wisely, to highlight what is faithful, and to point you toward works that will truly build up your understanding of Scripture.
“We want to be a help, not a gateway.”