Sinclair Ferguson on Commentaries

Interacting with godly men is always a time of reaping much from the fruit of their labor. What often may come as a surprise are the ‘extra’ answers given to questions asked. Getting such an ‘extra’ answer easily makes one feel like the privileged dog getting the crumbs from his master’s table.

I want to share the following important thoughts Dr. Ferguson gave regarding commentaries. This is great wisdom.

I think these different commentaries [those mentioned in the post on his most helpful Roman commentaries] have also helped me clarify in my own mind what one ought to look for in a commentary.

Basic help to be clear as to the meaning of the text is always foundational; but in addition as a preacher I think one is looking for iron to sharpen iron, and sometimes the commentaries that stimulate thought are not necessarily the ones with which one agrees–but they have the effect of precipitating clearer thought or a more sanctified imagination.

Then there are commentaries that one reads for their exegetical nourishment for one’s own soul, and for true spiritual pleasure. Again I’ve found Murray one to which I have returned again and again because he has provided me with help on each of these levels.

All that said, I also try to leave commentary reading until later on in my preparation, and quite often read very little, and use them only as a guard to my understanding, and sometimes if I’m just brain dead and need something to quick start my mind. There’s a danger of much reading but little thinking in the time available for preparation.

Whichever commentary one uses the great thing is to be wrestling with Romans again, and being subdued again by God’s word, thrilled by its truth and power, and especially by the light it shines on the glory of Christ and the salvation he has wrought for the glory of God!

At the end of the day what really matters is that we use these books and their scholarship to help us think through the text, to grapple with Romans. I often think of reading a commentary like Jacob wrestling with the angel at Peniel–as we read we should be saying “I will not let you go until you bless me!”

That last paragraph is worth repeating:

At the end of the day what really matters is that we use these books and their scholarship to help us think through the text, to grapple with Romans. I often think of reading a commentary like Jacob wrestling with the angel at Peniel–as we read we should be saying “I will not let you go until you bless me!”

Choose commentaries:

1. To get the meaning of the text.

2. To be sharpened, to be challenged.

3. To be stimulated (even with those you may disagree with).

4. To be spiritually nourished

5. To serve as a guard for our theology, not the source of it.

6. To bring glory to God.

7. To get a blessing.