Bible commentary vs. a concordance - is there a difference?

Question

If so, what is the difference? Which do you prefer and why?

Please provide specific recommendations. I am shopping for one or the other (possibly both).

Thanks!

Answer 1

They are different kinds of reference books.

I prefer both.

The concordance is a "dictionary." (Take a look at Strong's Concordance.)

The commentaries are thoughts and explanations of verses and topics in the Bible. There are a number of these.

Answer 2

A Bible commentary is an explanation of a section of Scripture. A concordance is where a person can look up a word from a verse and find all the verses that that word is used in. If you are trying to remember a specific verse and can only remember a few words from it, look up those words and the verse you are looking for will probably be listed. A Strong's Concordance will be far more complete than the typical Bible concordance that most Bible's have in the back of them. My husband has a Thompson Chain Reference Bible that has a Very thorough listing.



I go to a Precepts' class. They have a person study a section of Scripture on their own First. They teach us how to answer the Who, Where ,What, When, etc. to notice repeated words/ phrases, That way We are digging in Ourselves and finding truths of Scripture for Ourselves First. Then we can read a commentary and find out what other believer's are finding.



Remember a commentary is being written by Another believer -- it's Not inspired. Now it's also true that they have done deeper study into the original languages and probably the historical setting of the passage and such. But a 'regular' person can do the same things.

Answer 3

A concordance is a book that list every word in the Bible, and gives you the references where the word is located, as well as having a special section that you can cross reference. That section will tell you what the original Hebrew or Greek word was that the English word was translated from,



A commentary is simply the notes that the author has taken in his or her own Bible studies and research.



Start with the concordance. You will get the most use out of it. Commentaries ~ wait until you become familiar with the many teachers who have written commentaries. The public library is a good place to get a preview of different authors. You will not only develop a preference for one teacher over another, but you will also be making a mental list of authors to avoid.

Answer 4

An "exhaustive" concordance shows where every word is in every verse in which it is used.I recommend Strong's concordance. A commentary is a book written by an authority on the Bible usually explaining each verse in the Bible. there are 3 I recommend. Jamison, Faucet and Brown. Adam Clarke. And Matthew Henry's. These writers use other scriptures to support their explanations of verses. That does not mean they are 100% correct, but using the Bible to explain the Bible IS the best way to understand it. Strong's has a Hebrew, Chaldee and Greek dictionary in the back. For use on a computer I recommend http://www. e-sword.net

This program has Bibles, commentaries, maps and Strong's built into it. You should give something though the author doesn't ask for any specific amount.

Answer 5

Which is most useful depends on the kinds of information you are seeking. As an amateur historian I find the Concordance useful in the verification of locations and identities. Every word in the Bible has been cataloged and indexed in the Concordance. A student can find out how many times the subject of resurrection has been resurrected and the passages where it is used.

I "live" in the Commentaries however. A single Concordance will suffice any research project, but the Commentaries in most cases represent the opinions of the author concerning a particular Biblical Book. In my personal Library you will find a dozen Commentaries on the Book of Daniel, each written by respected men and women most of whom are multilingual and have translated the Book from Aramic and Greek themselves. In most cases the author of any commentary

is a recognized expert on the Book.

In the case of some of the Books, the Gospel of John for example, where a great deal of controversy concerning authorship has been ongoing for centuries, the author may have spent a majority of his life researching this single Book, every word.

It is not uncommon for people to become confused when studying in the Commentaries. Some authors are unhesitent to offer opinions that can be misconstrued as facts. In depth examination of the Books should always be done in group and supervised study. Please take my advice and study with a Church led group.

Answer 6

I try to stay away from commentary unless I'm totally lost in a meaning. I will use the concordance to find the greek or Hebrew meaning of a word or term because many times the word in the

Bible is mistranslated into English having a totally different meaning.



I use Hebrew/Greek study bibles for this reason. I get more "Rama"out of the word if I can read the original meaning of the words that the writers of a particular book were trying to convey. I also use the King james version of the hebrew/greek study Bible because it is the least watered down of all these translations. For instance the New International Version.....I just think that all these new translations are watered down.

Just my opinion.

Answer 7

A concordance Bible is one that basically functions as a giant index of topics, allowing you to look up some subject and go directly to verses on that subject. A commentary Bible is like a Bible with crib notes included, usually interpretation, hints on etymology of the words, etc.

Answer 8

A Bible commentary concerns about Biblical insights of a particular verse or verses; a Bible concordance concerns about locating a particular verse or verses.



I prefer both. But a commentary is . . . just as it is -- a commentary. Hence, does not necessarily consititute as a reliable source of Biblical doctrines. On the otherhand, a concordance is a raw of index of verses according to word rendering for easy look up. Hence, does not necessarily constitute as a reliable source of jig-saw puzzle verses to set up a doctrine.



My recommendation:



Read the Bible -- first! You might not need them when your're done.

Answer 9

Strongs Concordance.

Answer 10

What Is A Concordance

Answer 11

a concordance is more like a dictionary

a commentary might involve an opinion whether right or wrong...

Answer 12

Never use a commentary. Rather depend upon God.



He it is who reveals and opens the Scriptures, if you wait upon Him. Of course you must approach with humility and allow Him to lead.







Scripture interprets Scripture so nothing beats a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit is enabled to bring to you and unlock to you through His own word.





To assist there are two invaluable aids :



1. A concordance, as you are considering.

2. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - which is simply a compilation of Scripture references to almost every verse in the Bible.



You may obtain these free from www.e-sword.net with no strings attached. It is in fact the best programme by far, better than expensive ones that you can buy.



Combine that with careful reading and much pondering, consideration and of course prayer for enlightenment.



Above all dependence upon the Holy spirit and waiting upon Him is most important through careful attention to all of the Bible, not just some parts.





I repeat do not use commentaries which are men's works but obtain from God through the Bible itself. You'll not regret it.



Men's works will only give you a kind of head knowledge, a mental, intellectual knowledge which can deceive you as to your true state. It may only be their opinions. The Bible is for communion, not head knowledge and opinions. What God reveals brings a growing relationship and confidence in Him and a true heart knowledge that will become a part of you. There is nothing to be compared with that. Nothing.

It's your choice of course. A kind of quick fix by man or a true unfolding of spiritual treasure and knowledge of God Himself.

No choice really.







MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.





Allow me to repeat the last.



I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.