How to Use a Bible Commentary (Even If You're a Complete Beginner)

A Bible commentary is a book or digital resource written by scholars to explain the meaning, context, and background of scripture passages — and you don't need a seminary degree to benefit from one. Used well, a commentary can turn a confusing passage into something clear and personally meaningful.

What a Bible Commentary Actually Does

When you read the Bible on your own, you're reading words written thousands of years ago in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, originally addressed to specific people in specific cultural situations. Commentaries bridge that gap.

A good commentary will tell you:

• Historical context — What was happening in the author's world when this was written?
• Literary context — How does this passage fit into the chapter and book around it?
• Word meanings — What does the original Hebrew or Greek word actually mean, and does English capture it well?
• Application — How has this passage shaped Christian thought and practice over time?

You don't have to accept every interpretation a commentator offers. Think of it like getting a second opinion from someone who has spent decades studying the text.

When to Reach for a Commentary

The most common mistake beginners make is opening a commentary before reading the text. Don't do that. Read the passage first — at least twice. Write down what you notice, what confuses you, what questions you have. Then open the commentary to see if your questions get answered.

A few good moments to use a commentary:

• You hit a passage that seems to contradict something else in scripture
• You're reading a section full of cultural references you don't recognize (Leviticus laws, prophetic imagery, apocalyptic literature)
• A verse seems oddly significant but you can't figure out why
• You want to understand the flow of an entire book before diving in

If you're working through a structured reading plan — like reading the whole Bible over a year — you probably won't use a commentary on every passage. That's normal. Save it for the passages where you get genuinely stuck.

How to Choose One

For beginners, you want a commentary that explains things in plain language without assuming you already know Greek or Hebrew. Some well-regarded options:

• The NIV Application Commentary — explains the text and then connects it to modern life
• The Bible Speaks Today series — readable, not too technical
• ESV Study Bible notes — not a standalone commentary, but the in-text notes are solid for daily reading
• Bible Project's video guides — free on YouTube and a great introduction to any book before you read it

If you're using a Bible reading app like Bible In A Year, you're already building the habit of daily reading — adding a commentary for one or two passages a week is a natural next step when you want to go deeper.

A Simple Routine That Works

Here's a lightweight approach that won't overwhelm your reading:

1. Read your daily passage without any outside help
2. Mark anything that confuses or stands out to you
3. Look up one of those passages in a commentary — just one
4. Write a sentence or two in a journal about what you learned

That's it. You don't need to read every word of every commentary entry. Commentaries are reference tools, not books you read cover to cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy a physical commentary, or are there free ones online?

Free options like BlueLetterBible.org and BibleGateway.com give you access to several solid commentaries at no cost. These are more than enough for most readers just getting started.

Can I use a commentary if I don't know Greek or Hebrew?

Absolutely. The best beginner commentaries are written for exactly that situation. They'll note what the original language means without requiring you to learn it yourself.

Is using a commentary considered "cheating" at Bible reading?

Not at all — it's the opposite. Using tools to understand scripture more accurately is what serious readers do. The goal is to understand what the text actually says, not to guess at it alone. Commentaries are just a way to invite knowledgeable voices into your reading.