Is the New American Commentary a Good Source for Bible Study?

Pastors, discipleship leaders, and teachers often wrestle with one big question: what resources can I trust when I'm preparing to teach the Bible? With so many commentaries and study tools out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Some are too technical, some too shallow, and others raise more questions than they answer.

Among evangelical circles-especially in Southern Baptist life-one series often tops the list: the New American Commentary (NAC). But is it a solid source for Bible study, particularly when you're equipping teachers in your church? Let's take a closer look.

A Conservative, Evangelical Perspective

The NAC is written mainly by Southern Baptist scholars, many of whom teach in Baptist seminaries. That gives the series a consistent theological frame. It affirms the authority, inspiration, and trustworthiness of Scripture. For those in Baptist churches or conservative evangelical settings, this makes the commentary a safe resource.

Unlike some academic commentaries that lean heavily on critical theories, the NAC treats the biblical text as the Word of God. Teachers and ministers can have confidence that the interpretation won't undermine their people's faith.

Accessible but Substantial

One of the NAC's greatest strengths is its balance between depth and readability. Many teachers don't have the time-or the training-to wade through technical academic commentaries loaded with Greek and Hebrew. The NAC explains language insights when they're helpful, but without overwhelming the reader.

The style is clear, pastoral, and practical. Each volume moves through the text passage by passage, offering exposition, context, and theological insight. Teachers can use the material directly in lesson prep without needing to translate pages of technical notes.

Strengths That Serve the Local Church

The series offers several benefits that make it especially useful for equipping Sunday School teachers and leaders:

• Passage-by-passage structure: Teachers can follow along as they prepare, with the commentary matching the natural flow of the text.

• Focus on application: While not written as a devotional, many volumes point toward how the truth of the passage applies to life and ministry.

• Consistency across volumes: The uniform structure helps readers know what to expect, even when using different authors.

• Theological reliability: Because the authors are evangelical scholars, the commentary supports orthodox doctrine and conservative interpretation.

For a busy volunteer teacher who needs clarity without compromise, these strengths are invaluable.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

No resource is perfect, and the NAC is no exception. It isn't the most technical commentary set out there; those looking for detailed linguistic or critical discussions may want to supplement with another series. And, as with any multi-author project, some volumes are stronger than others.

For example, the NAC on 1, 2, and 3 John (written by Daniel Akin) is often praised for its clarity and usefulness. Some volumes may be less engaging in style. Still, taken as a whole, the series is reliable and worth recommending to teachers.

How It Fits Into Teacher Training

For church leaders, the bigger question isn't just whether the NAC is good, but whether it's the right tool for your teachers. Here's where it shines:

• For Ministers: A dependable reference to supplement lesson planning, sermon prep, or teacher training sessions.

• For volunteer teachers: Trustworthy explanations they can actually use, without requiring seminary-level training.

• For small-church leaders: A solid middle ground-deep enough to provide substance, but accessible enough for lay leaders.

Bottom line: the NAC helps ensure that teachers are handling the Word faithfully, without adding unrealistic preparation burdens.

Other Resources to Pair With It

No commentary series should stand alone. Even the best commentaries are tools to be used alongside the Bible itself, prayer, and other helps. Many leaders find it useful to pair the NAC with:

• A more application-driven commentary (such as the NIV Application Commentary).

• A concise series like the Tyndale Commentaries for quick reference.

• Ready-to-use discussion resources, like those available each week at StevesBibleQuestions.com.

Together, these resources form a balanced approach: depth for the teacher, clarity for preparation, and practical tools for engaging the class.

Bottom line: a reliable partner in ministry

So, is the New American Commentary a good source for Bible study? Yes-especially for churches rooted in conservative evangelical and Southern Baptist traditions. It offers trustworthy exposition, a solid balance of depth and readability, and a focus that supports teachers and leaders alike.

For pastors and discipleship ministers, it's not only a reliable reference for your own study, but also a safe recommendation for the teachers you supervise. It doesn't replace the Bible, nor does it erase the need for prayerful preparation-but it does make faithful teaching more attainable.

At StevesBibleQuestions.com, we share the same goal: to equip teachers with tools that lighten the prep load while deepening engagement with God's Word. Whether through the NAC, or through weekly Bible study discussion questions and resources, the aim is the same: to see classes come alive as God's Word is taught and discussed faithfully.