Some commentary on using Bible Study Commentaries…

It is not uncommon these days to run into people who don’t believe in using scholarly bible commentaries for their bible study. These people seem to think that using a commentary by some noted pastor or teacher will somehow impair their ability to experience God’s word in the fullest, personal way, and so they instead focus on what they can draw from the text by themselves.

I could go on and on about various arguments for either side of the issue and come to a conclusion using brilliant english and vocabulary skills. But such expounding would, I think, divert attention to where it is best placed regarding the issue: A quote by one of the most recognized Christian preachers of the 1800’s–Charles Spurgeon, Prince of Preachers. He once stated, referring to those who don’t use commentaries in their study of the Word, that:

“It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he as revealed to others. You must be content to learn of holy men, taught of God, and mighty in the scriptures. A respectable acquaintence with the opinions of the gians of the past, might have saved many an erratic thinker from wild interpretations and outrageous inferences.”