A Review of Volumes IV and X of Crossway's ESV Expository Commentary Series

I’ve been really excited about Crossway’s new ESV Expository Commentary series. These are new commentaries with the goal of providing “a clear, crisp, and Christ-centered explanation of the biblical text.” At this point in time, there are seven commentaries in the set and they haven’t been going in order. I’m reviewing Volume IV: Ezra - Job and Volume X: Romans - Galatians.

I love the elegance of these editions. Each commentary is a black hardcover book with gold lettering on the front. The spine also is lettered in gold with a small cross pattern on the top. Gold lines divide each section mimicking spine hubs. The design is classy and not overly busy. They look great displayed on a shelf. Each commentary also has a black, double-sided satin ribbon to mark your place.

Each Commentary has the same editors, but different contributors. The editors are Dr. Iain M. Duguid, Dr. James M. Hamilton Jr., and Dr. Jay Sklar. For Volume IV, the authors are Dr. W. Brian Aucker (Ezra, Nehemiah), Dr. Eric Ortlund (Esther), and Dr. Douglas Sean O’Donnell (Job). For Volume X, the authors are Dr. Andrew David Naselli (1 Corinthians), Dr. Dane Ortlund (2 Corinthians), Dr. Fank Thielman (Galatians), and Dr. Robert W. Yarbrough (Romans).

I really love what each commentator has been asked to keep in mind when providing commentary as well. They’ve been asked to provide commentary that is exegetically sound, biblically theological, globally aware, broadly reformed, doctrinally conversant, pastorally useful, application-minded, and efficient in expression. These are high aims to achieve!

In the front of each commentary is a “CONTENTS” section. Here you can find the page numbers for a list of tables used in the commentary, a list of figures such as “2.2 Christian Decision Making in 1 Corinthians 8-10”, the Preface to the ESV Expository Commentary, Contributors, Abbreviations, the individual books covered in the commentary, and the Scripture Index.

Each book is generally laid out the same. They start with an introduction, which includes helpful information to know before you begin your study including an overview, information on the title and text of the book, the authorship, date, occasion, and purpose, genre and literary features, and how it relates to the rest of the Bible and to Christ. There’s also practical advice for those who want to preach from the book. There is information about interpretive challenges within the book. Finally, there’s an outline. All of this is contained in the introduction and honestly the information given is extremely helpful. Knowing about a book of the Bible before studying it can be one of the biggest boosts for someone’s study. These features help not only the preacher and teacher, but the church member as well.

Next we have the book itself broken into sections so the reader can easily find the section in which they are looking for help. I love that each section starts with the Scripture itself (in the ESV text). Too often I’ll read a commentary and want to reference the Scripture I’m reading about, but it won’t be in the commentary. This means I have to take time to grab a Bible or search for it on the internet. I think including the Scripture is a really helpful, but probably overlooked feature of this commentary series.

The section of Scripture then has a section overview helping the reader break down the big picture, a section outline, and then the verse-by-verse commentary. At the end of the book, there is a response section, which addresses, “How should we be different because of this book in God’s Word?” I really love the application focus here. At the end of some books, there may also be a bibliography.

The back of the commentaries contain a very thorough Scripture index as well as several blank pages, which I can only assume are provided for the reader to take notes if he or she wishes.

Conclusion

I love the ESV Expository Commentary series from Crossway. I love that it’s written at an accessible level and isn’t focused on the Greek or Hebrew, but instead is focused on faithfully handling the Scriptures and providing practical application that helps both the church member and pastor alike. I think this is a great resource and this series deserves a spot on your shelf. Be sure to check out a few more pictures below.

You can pick up your copies of these commentaries from Crossway. Crossway+ members gets 30% off and it’s free to join! You can also find them Amazon (affiliate)

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Volumes IV and X of the ESV Expository Commentary series from Crossway in exchange for a fair and honest review.