Bible Commentary Course

Lesson 1 • The Biblical Canon and Text

Introduces the structure of the Old and New Testaments and the process of canonisation. Provides essential context for understanding which texts commentators address.

Lesson 2 • History of Biblical Interpretation

Traces commentary from ancient Jewish tradition through patristic, medieval, Reformation, and modern periods. Shows how interpretive methods evolved over time.

Lesson 3 • Tools and Resources for Commentary

Surveys essential reference tools including lexicons, concordances, Bible dictionaries, and digital archives. Equips students to locate and evaluate scholarly resources efficiently.

Lesson 1 • Using Interlinear and Parallel Bibles

Demonstrates how interlinear texts and parallel Bibles support word-level analysis without full language fluency. Bridges language study and practical commentary research.

Lesson 2 • Translation Theory and Bible Versions

Explains formal equivalence, dynamic equivalence, and paraphrase translation philosophies. Students learn to compare versions and identify translation choices that affect meaning.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Biblical Hebrew

Covers the Hebrew alphabet, basic vocabulary, and sentence structure relevant to commentary work. Enables students to use Hebrew lexicons and interlinear tools with confidence.

Lesson 4 • Aramaic in the Old Testament

Identifies Aramaic passages in Daniel and Ezra and explains their linguistic features. Helps students recognise when Aramaic affects interpretation.

Lesson 1 • Theological Presuppositions in Interpretation

Examines how doctrinal commitments shape interpretive choices and outcomes. Students learn to identify and disclose their own hermeneutical assumptions.

Lesson 2 • Typology and Intertextuality

Explores how Old Testament types and patterns are fulfilled or echoed in the New Testament. Students learn to trace intertextual connections responsibly.

Lesson 3 • Genre Recognition and Its Impact

Identifies major biblical genres and explains how genre determines interpretive rules. Misreading genre is a primary source of interpretive error.

Lesson 4 • The Grammatical-Historical Method

Focuses on determining the author's intended meaning through grammar and historical context. This is the foundational method for evangelical and academic commentary.

Lesson 1 • Structural and Syntactical Analysis

Guides students through diagramming sentences and mapping logical relationships in a text. Reveals the author's argument structure and emphasis.

Lesson 2 • Selecting and Delimiting a Passage

Teaches how to identify natural textual units and set appropriate passage boundaries. Proper delimitation prevents misreading by isolating the correct unit of thought.

Lesson 3 • Word Studies and Semantic Range

Explains how to conduct responsible word studies using lexicons and concordances. Students avoid the word-study fallacies that distort meaning.

Lesson 4 • Constructing an Exegetical Outline

Synthesises structural and word-level analysis into a coherent passage outline. This outline becomes the skeleton of a written commentary entry.

Lesson 1 • Ancient Near Eastern Context

Surveys the cultures, religions, and political powers surrounding ancient Israel. Provides the backdrop for interpreting Old Testament narratives and laws.

Lesson 2 • Greco-Roman World of the New Testament

Describes the political, philosophical, and religious environment of the first-century Mediterranean. Illuminates the audience and occasion of New Testament letters and Gospels.

Lesson 3 • Social and Economic Structures

Analyzes family, kinship, patronage, and economic systems in biblical societies. Reveals social dynamics that shape the meaning of biblical commands and narratives.

Lesson 4 • Second Temple Judaism

Examines Jewish life, thought, and literature between the Testaments. Essential for understanding the world Jesus and the apostles inhabited.

Lesson 1 • Christological Reading of Scripture

Examines how Christ-centered interpretation applies across both Testaments. Students evaluate responsible vs. forced christological readings.

Lesson 2 • Systematic Theology and Exegesis

Shows how systematic categories inform and are informed by exegetical findings. Students avoid proof-texting by grounding doctrinal claims in careful exegesis.

Lesson 3 • Biblical Theology Method

Traces how theological themes develop progressively across the canon. Distinguishes biblical theology from systematic theology in commentary application.

Lesson 4 • Engaging Theological Controversies

Prepares students to address disputed doctrinal questions fairly and rigorously. Demonstrates how to present multiple views while defending an exegetically grounded position.

Lesson 1 • Writing the Introduction Section

Covers authorship, date, occasion, audience, and purpose as standard introduction components. A strong introduction frames all subsequent commentary content.

Lesson 2 • Application and Homiletical Notes

Explains how to bridge exegetical findings to contemporary application without distorting meaning. Students write application sections that are textually grounded and culturally relevant.

Lesson 3 • Drafting Exegetical Commentary Prose

Teaches how to convert outlines and notes into clear, evidence-based commentary paragraphs. Emphasizes precision, citation practice, and logical flow.

Lesson 4 • Revision and Peer Review Process

Establishes a structured revision workflow using peer feedback and self-evaluation rubrics. Produces polished commentary drafts ready for academic or ministry use.

Lesson 1 • Handling Difficult and Disputed Passages

Provides a methodology for passages with significant interpretive disagreement or ethical difficulty. Students demonstrate intellectual honesty and exegetical rigour under pressure.

Lesson 2 • Commenting on Old Testament Poetry

Covers Hebrew parallelism, meter, and imagery in Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs. Students produce commentary that honours poetic form while extracting theological meaning.

Lesson 3 • Commenting on Prophetic Texts

Distinguishes forth-telling from foretelling and addresses fulfilment hermeneutics. Students navigate the historical and eschatological dimensions of prophetic passages.

Lesson 4 • Commenting on Apocalyptic Literature

Addresses the unique interpretive challenges of Daniel, Revelation, and related texts. Students apply genre-specific rules to avoid both over-literalism and excessive allegorising.