Commentaries comprise at least one third of my library. Books that help you better understand the text of Scripture are worth the investment in my opinion. And of all the sets and series that I own I think the Pillar NT series is probably my favorite all around.
In his Guide to Biblical Commentaries (8th ed., 2009) John F. Evans writes this about the Pillar set:
The volumes available are strongly evangelical, well grounded in scholarship, insightful, and warmly recommended. I regard a good half of the series as first choices for pastors: Carson on John, Peterson on Acts, O’Brien on Ephesians, Moo’s two volumes on Colossians-Philemon and James, and Davids on 2 Peter-Jude. … Carson’s editorial work helps keep the standards high. (p. 22)
The series just expanded with the recent addition of Peter T. O’Brien’s anticipated commentary on Hebrews (note: I buy every commentary by O’Brien). For a limited time Westminster books is now offering O’Brien’s commentary at a generous 45% discount ($50.00 / $27.50).
And if you buy at least two Pillar commentaries, Westminster is offing an added 10% discount (offer ends March 9).
Here are the other titles in the series:
- Matthew by Leon Morris — $50.00 / $30.50
- Mark by James R. Edwards, Jr. — $50.00 / $31.50
- John by D. A. Carson — $48.00 / $30.72
- Acts by David Peterson — $65.00 / $39.65
- Romans by Leon Morris — $45.00 / $27.00
- Ephesians by Peter T. O’Brien — $44.00 / $28.16
- Philippians by G. Walter Hansen — $44.00 / $28.16
- Colossians and Philemon by Douglas J. Moo — $44.00 / $24.20
- Thessalonians by Gene L. Green — $45.00 / $28.80
- James by Douglas J. Moo — $34.00 / $20.40
- 2 Peter and Jude by Peter Davids — $36.00 / $23.76
- Letters of John by Colin Kruse — $34.00 / $21.76
Tony Reinke 
I’ve just started reading O’Brien on Ephesians. So far so good.
If you don’t mind my asking, how do you read commentaries?
Andrew
Good question Andrew.
I am a big enough nerd to admit to reading a few technical commentaries from cover to cover. I read Fung’s Galatians commentary that way not long ago. It’s a model of technical commentaries. Most commentaries by Carson and O’Brien I will also read from start to finish. Carson’s John is worth it!
A lot of commentaries are references, there when you need them. Beale on Revelation would be a good example. It would take me a year to read that whole tome and I’m not sure I would understand most of it. But I own Beale. It’s the best on Revelation in my opinion.
Shorter and less technical commentaries are easier to read straight through. Stott on Romans or Stott on anything, is good for this. Ryle, Lloyd-Jones, etc. are also good.
Is that helpful?
Tony
Hi Tony,
Yes, helpful!
I’ve really only started to read commentaries quite recently and I’m finding I need to make adjustments from the usual stuff I read, so I appreciate your thoughts.
I’m going to read Carson on John after I finish O’Brien on Ephesians, I keep hearing good reports.
Carson’s John commentary is priceless. It is worth every moment you invest in study. Check out Fung on Galatians, too. I would say it is one of the best, certainly among the ranks of Carson/Moo/O’Brien. Happy reading Andrew! Tony
I wholeheartedly agree with you Tony…J.C. Ryle, John Stott and Martyn Lloyd-Jones are much easier to read through than other ‘technical’ commentaries. I have often felt like these commentaries were more like food for my soul, than a time of preparing for a teaching. What a tremendous blessing these men were/are to the church.
Did you miss listing the Letters of First John by Cruse?
Sure did. Thanks Glenn. Added.
I own the Romans comm. by Morris. I have to say, I think its my favorite commentary on Romans. It reads like preaching. It’s very good!