Lesson 4: The Contextual Horizon (2)
How to Misuse a Commentary
If you’ve ever wondered how to misuse a commentary, look no further! Here are three fool-proof ways to sabotage your Bible study.
Don’t try to understand a passage before you open a commentary.
Why waste effort trying to grasp the author’s logic on your own, grinding your teeth and tearing your hair? Just crack open a commentary—any old commentary will do—and go straight to the commentator’s discussion of whatever passage you’re studying. The commentator is way smarter than you are, anyway!
Take one commentator’s decision on interpretation as final.
There’s no point in comparing multiple commentaries on your passage! If you have a commentary by your favorite author, just assume that he’s right and run with his interpretation. Getting yourself confused with multiple viewpoints is a great way to get grey hair.
Don’t worry about the commentator’s foundational assumptions.
Doctrinal precision is overrated. As long as a commentator sounds good, he must be good, amirite? Leave theological debates to the professionals.
Now, if you want to learn how to properly use a commentary, pay close attention to the next steps of this lesson!