Commentary of the Bible

From: https://truthfortheworld.education/mod/lesson/view.php?id=394&pageid=114 

Do a search on the author(s) of the commentary.  You may find out a lot about what they believe concerning the Bible without even reading the commentary.  If their ideas are contradictory to what the Bible teaches, you may wish to move on to a different one.

As might be said, "The Bible is a good commentary on a commentator."  This means that the Bible will show whether or not the commentator disagrees with its doctrine or not.  Looking at certain doctrines that the Bible teaches in certain passages may more quickly let you know whether the commentator is attempting to follow what the Bible says, or if they are incorrect in their theology and will therefore be incorrect in their commentary.  In other words, if the commentators comments on certain verses match what the Bible says, they may be a good commentator in other areas, too.  If it doesn't, you might want to only read their commentary with extreme caution and with constant comparison to the Bible, throwing out their false ideas when you come to them.

Certain passages and doctrines you may want to examine first when choosing a commentary:

Acts 2:38 - Does the commentator agree with Peter's teaching of the doctrine of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins?

Psalm 51:5 - Does the commentator endorse the false doctrine of "original sin," meaning that babies are born sinful and lost?

Matthew 19:9 - does the commentator agree with Jesus that fornication or adultery is the only Scriptural justification for divorce?