Build A Relationship with God Using "Commentary Bibles"

Is It Okay to Use Commentaries to Get Closer to God? (Giving Myself Permission)

 

I’ve always wondered, when it comes to building a relationship with God: is it actually okay to use commentary Bibles as my main way of studying? Just picking up a commentary, going through whatever chapter or event in the Bible, and using those insights to get closer to God?

 

To be honest, I used to feel nervous and hesitant about doing this. I hesitated, especially because I knew some people frowned upon using commentaries, making it feel like you're somehow taking a "shortcut" or not thinking for yourself—even being told that using commentaries would replace the voice of God.

 

This is why I found myself struggling to figure out my unique study style, based on how everyone else was learning. I was looking for external permission—instead of internal permission to do what worked for me (right now). This meant that all I did was carry the weight out of fear of doing it wrong, instead of having an authentic relationship with God for myself.

 

Understanding Why People Frown Upon Commentaries

 

When people warn against commentary Bibles, it usually comes from a well-intentioned place, even if it leaves you feeling hesitant. Usually, they worry about two main things:

 

• Replacing God’s voice with human voices: The fear that someone might rely so heavily on a scholar’s notes that they stop listening to what the Holy Spirit is highlighting to them personally.
• Treating God like a study subject: The fear that heavy commentaries turn a one-to-one relationship into a purely academic exercise—head knowledge instead of heart transformation.

 

While those are fair concerns to keep in mind, using a tool is not the same as worshipping the tool. A map helps you navigate a big national park so you don't get lost, but no one accuses you of replacing nature just because you checked the map!

 

How to Use a Commentary as a "Relationship Tool"

 

If your goal is to grow closer to God—not just pass a theology test—here is a simple, healthy routine you can use when reading:

 

• Read the Commentary First (The Guide): Read the notes for that chapter. Let the commentary explain difficult words, cultural context, or cross-references.
• Consult the Scripture (The Conversation): Read the passage or chapter on its own. Read it in 2-3 versions. Then pause and ask, "God, what does this tell me about who You are?"
• Reflect & Pray (The Application): Bring what you learned back to God. "Lord, now that I understand the context behind this story, help me trust You in my own life the way they did."

 

How Commentaries Actually Help Us Draw Closer to God

 

To build a relationship with God through the Bible, you first have to understand what you're reading. The Bible wasn't written in modern English, nor was it written in 21st-century Western culture. It was written thousands of years ago across ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures.

 

Here is how a good commentary actually serves your spiritual walk with God:

 

• It clears away confusion: It’s hard to feel emotionally or spiritually connected when you’re completely baffled by ancient Levitical laws, obscure cultural idioms, or historical references.
• It reveals God's heart in the details: When context reveals why a story or cultural interaction was so revolutionary (like Jesus walking through Samaria), God’s grace and love shine ten times more.
• It keeps us grounded: Reading Scripture entirely on our own without any historical or theological context can sometimes lead us to misinterpret God's character based on our own biases or temporary feelings. Good scholarship keeps us anchored.

 

Key Perspective: The authors of the Bible wrote to an ancient audience, but for all generations. Commentary bridges the gap between what it meant then and what it means for your life today.

 

Podcasts & YouTube Videos Are Commentaries Too

 

As I thought about this more, another realisation hit me: when you listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos about the Bible, those are commentaries too.

 

Whether it's written in the margins of a study Bible, preached from a pulpit, or spoken into a podcast microphone, anytime someone explains Scripture’s context, language, or meaning, they are providing commentary.

 

But here is the interesting part: when a podcast or video inspires you to pause, open the Bible, and look up Scripture for yourself, it's serving a purpose that many platforms and traditional commentaries don't manage to do well. It isn't replacing your relationship with God; it’s nudging it.

Neither format is superior to the other—they just serve different learning styles and moments in your day.

 

Adopting the "Berean Habit"

 

There is a famous verse in Acts 17:11 about the Bereans:

 

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character... for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

 

That’s the exact habit I’ve embraced. If a commentary bible, video, or podcast host says something about God’s character or a specific passage, I use it as a launchpad to open the text and see it with my own eyes.

 

You Don't Have to Do It "Their" Way

 

Spiritual growth is not one-size-fits-all. Some people connect with God through quiet meditation; others connect deeply when their mind is engaged, and they understand the rich history behind the text. If understanding the background of Scripture lights up your faith and makes you appreciate God more, then a commentary Bible is a gift, not a replacement. You don't need anyone else's approval to study this way.

 

Go ahead, pick up the commentary, start at whatever chapter or story you're curious about, and let it help you discover who God is. I’m giving myself permission to do just that, so should you!

FAQ: What Commentary Bible Could I Use

Common Questions About which bible commentaries are good

(Disclaimer: any commentaries I mention are study tools I personally use myself. I have no affiliation with them; using them as a reference does not mean I share or endorse 100% of their views or theological perspectives on every part of the Bible.)