Best 1 Peter Commentaries | Reviews for Preaching, Teaching, and Bible Study

The best 1 Peter commentaries are listed below. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. The “Top 10″ list is based on aggregate reviews.

This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply Peter’s message in the book of 1 Peter. They are not suggested as a replacement for prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the reader’s own diligent study of Scripture.

It is hoped that these books will aid the Christian pastor, preacher, teacher, student, as well as any Bible reader that wants to understand more about 1 Peter.

May each reader’s aim be to glorify God in Jesus Christ; to strengthen Christ’s bride, the Church; and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.

After browsing the commentaries below, see the best one-volume bible commentaries, based on aggregate reviews.

10 Best 1 Peter Commentaries

Please read: The “Top 10” list below is a starting point for learning about 1 Peter commentaries. It is not intended to be the “final word” because of its limitations.

Nevertheless, a list based on aggregate reviews is likely to point many people in the right direction to find the right resource for their purposes.

#1

1 Peter
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
by Karen H. Jobes

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First Peter commentary by Karen Jobes

Reviews and Accolades:

• D.A. Carson: a “best buy” on 1 Peter, “this work is strong on every front, including careful exegesis of the Greek text, while remaining accessible”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on 1 Peter

• Tom Schreiner: recommended: “an exposition of the Greek text”

• Keith Mathison: #2 ranked commentary on 1 Peter, “Those needing in-depth exegetical analysis will not want to pass up the BECNT volume on 1 Peter by Jobes.”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Jobes takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. She graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary and is professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis at Wheaton College and Graduate school.

Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary. This volume has been well-reviewed for its exegesis and helpfulness to pastors.

Jobes also wrote the 1 John commentary in the ZECNT series, which is considered one of the best 1 John commentaries.

The publisher notes that the BECNT series “combines” scholarly depth with readability, exegetical detail with sensitivity to the whole, and attention to critical problems with theological awareness.”

See more about the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.

Please also see Best Commentary Series: The Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.

#2

The First Epistle of Peter
New International Commentary on the New Testament
by Peter H. Davids

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First Peter commentary by Peter Davids

Reviews and Accolades:

• D.A. Carson: a “best buy” on 1 Peter, “combines informed exegesis and probing theological reflection”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on 1 Peter

• Tom Schreiner: recommended: “a brief but lucid exposition of the letter”

• Keith Mathison: #4 ranked commentary on 1 Peter, “Peter Davids’ commentary has been somewhat overshadowed by the more recent work of Jobes, but it is still worth consulting. Like most of the NICNT volumes, it is solid and thorough without becoming inaccessible.”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Davids takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is a Catholic priest. Davids is Professor of Christianity at Houston Baptist University.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This volume is noted for its theological reflection.

Davids also wrote the James commentary in the NIGTC series, which is considered one of the best James commentaries.

The publisher notes that the NICNT series provides readers “with an exposition that is thorough and abreast of modern scholarship and at the same time loyal to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.”

See more about the New International Commentary on the New Testament series.

#3

1, 2 Peter, Jude
New American Commentary
by Thomas Schreiner

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1-2 Peter Jude commentary by Thomas Schreiner

Reviews and Accolades:

• D.A. Carson: a “best buy” on 1 Peter, “nicely displays Schreiner’s combination of exegesis and theological reflection couched in admirable clarity”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on 1 Peter

• Keith Mathison: #3 ranked commentary on 1 Peter, “Thomas Schreiner’s work is always worth consulting. He has written some very good works on New Testament theology,and his strengths in this area shine through in this commentary. Very helpful.”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Schreiner takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Schreiner also wrote the Hebrews commentary in the BTCP series, which is considered ones of the best Hebrews commentaries.

The publisher notes that the NAC series “has been designed primarily to enable pastors, teachers, and students to read the Bible with clarity and proclaim it with power.” See more about the New American Commentary series.

#4

1 Peter
Tyndale New Testament Commentary
by Wayne Grudem

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First Peter commentary by Wayne Grudem

Reviews and Accolades:

• Desiring God: #1 recommended commentary on 1 Peter

• Keith Mathison: #5 ranked commentary on 1 Peter, “Grudem’s commentary on 1 Peter is another helpful introductory level commentary on this book of Scripture.”

• Tom Schreiner: “a helpful brief exposition for busy pastors”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Grudem takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This volume is well-reviewed for its theological reflections.

The TNTC series “examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation.” See more about the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series.

#5

1 Peter
Hermeneia
by Paul J. Achtemeier

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First Peter commentary by Paul Achtmeier

Reviews and Accolades:

• D.A. Carson: a “best buy” on 1 Peter, “a masterpiece of careful scholarship…the writing is clear, and much of the exegesis is admirable”

• Tom Schreiner: “an outstanding technical interpretation of the letter – the best commentary in my judgement”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Achtemeier takes a critical approach to Scripture. Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary.

Achtemeier also wrote the Romans commentary in the Interpretation series.

The publisher notes that the Hermeneia series “has a rich background in the history of biblical interpretation as a term for the detailed, systematic exposition of a scriptural work.”

#6

1 Peter
The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
by John H. Elliott

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First Peter commentary by John Elliot

Reviews and Accolades:

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on 1 Peter

• Tom Schreiner: recommended: “a massive but clear and lucid commentary”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Achtemeier takes a critical approach to Scripture. Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary.

The publisher notes that the Anchor series “vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible.”

#7

1 Peter
Word Biblical Commentary
by J. Ramsey Michaels

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First Peter commentary by J. Ramsey Michaels

Reviews and Accolades:

Tom Schreiner: recommended: “a technical and interesting interpretation of the letter”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Michaels takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He was a professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary prior to his retirement.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Michaels also wrote the John commentary in the NICNT series, which is considered one of the best John commentaries.

The publisher notes that the WBC series “delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation.” See more about the Word Biblical Commentary series.

#8

1 Peter
The IVP New Testament Commentary
by I. Howard Marshall

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Peter commentary Howard Marshall

Reviews and Accolades:

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on 1 Peter

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Marshall takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Marshall also wrote the Acts commentary in the TNTC series, which is considered one of the best Acts commentaries.

The publisher notes that IVPNTC series is “informed by the best of up-to-date evangelical scholarship, presents passage-by-passage commentary based on the NIV along with background information on authorship, setting, theme and various interpretive issues.”

See more about the IVP New Testament Commentary series.

#9

The Message of 1 Peter
The Bible Speaks Today
by Edmund Clowney

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Peter commentary Edmund Clowney

Reviews and Accolades:

• Keith Mathison: #1 ranked commentary on 1 Peter, “Clowney packs more insight into one page than many commentaries pack into an entire chapter. This one is a must-have.”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Clowney takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He was Reformed (d. 2005).

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that “the three distinctives of The Bible Speaks Today series are (1) “BST authors are committed to a serious study of the text in its own integrity,” (2) that “expositors should not be antiquarians, living only in the remote past” but suggest application for living, and (3) “each book is intended to be both readable in style and manageable in size.” 

See more about the Bible Speaks Today commentary series.

#10

The Epistles of Peter and of Jude
Black’s New Testament Commentary
by J.N.D. Kelly

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Peter commentary Black's Kelley

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: recommended: “a very helpful and clear exposition”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Kelly takes a critical approach to Scripture. He taught at the University of Oxford (d. 1997). Kelly also wrote the 1 Timothy commentary in the same series.

The publisher notes that the BNTC series “has been hailed by both scholars and pastors for its insightful interpretations and reliable commentary.”

More Book of 1 Peter Commentaries for Christian Ministry

Please read: Why are the 1 Peter commentaries below not in the “Top 10”? It’s not necessarily because they have received poor reviews or because people haven’t found them helpful. The reasons vary:

  • Some are relatively new and haven’t been widely reviewed, read, or used yet.
  • Others haven’t been widely distributed, so it is difficult to get enough information to aggregate.
  • Still others may be outdated in relation to biblical scholarship or out of print and difficult to acquire.

The “Top 10” list is reviewed annually. Readers are encouraged to consider the volumes in this section before making a purchase. These 10 are not in any particular order.


A Commentary on I Peter
by Leonhard Goppelt

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Peter commentary Leonhard Goppelt

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: “an insightful and theologically deep commentary”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Goppelt takes a critical approach to Scripture. He was professor of New Testament at Hamburg and Munich (d. 1973). The publisher notes that this commentary “has unparalleled breadth and depth and reflects a lifetime of devoted scholarship.”


1 Peter
Reformed Expositional Commentary
by Daniel M. Doriani

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Peter commentary Daniel Doriani

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Doriani takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed. This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes. Doriani also wrote the Matthew commentary in the same series.

The publisher notes that the REC series has “four fundamental commitments. First, these commentaries aim to be biblical… Second, these commentaries are unashamedly doctrinal… Third, these commentaries are redemptive-historical… Fourth, these commentaries are practical…” All authors are “pastor-scholars.”

See more about the Reformed Expository Commentary series.


1 Peter
NIV Application Commentary
by Scot McKnight

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Peter commentary Scot McKnight

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: McKnight takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is a professor at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. McKnight also wrote the Galatians commentary in the same series.

The publisher notes tha the NIVAC series “helps you think through the process of moving from the original meaning of a passage to its contemporary significance.” See more about the NIV Application Commentary series.


1 Peter
Two Horizons New Testament Commentary
by Joel B. Green

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Peter commentary Joel Green

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Green takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Green also wrote the Luke commentary in the NICNT series, which is considered one of the best Luke commentaries.

The publisher notes that the Two Horizons series “offers section-by-section exegesis of the New Testament texts in close conversation with theological concerns.”


First and Second Peter
Paideia Commentary
by Duane Watson

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Peter commentary Duane Watson

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: In this addition to the well-received Paideia series, New Testament scholars Duane Watson and Terrance Callan examine cultural context and theological meaning in First and Second Peter.


1 Peter
New Century Bible Commentary
by Ernest Best

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Peter commentary Ernest Best

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Best takes a critical approach to Scripture. He is Presbyterian. Best denies Pauline authorship.

Best also wrote the Ephesians commentary in the ICC series, which is considered one of the best Ephesian commentaries.

This commentary best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.


1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, Jude
Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised
by J. Daryl Charles

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Peter commentary Expositor's

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Charles takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the REBC series is “committed to the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the Bible.” See more about the Expositor’s Commentary Series.


1 & 2 Peter, Jude
Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
by Norman Hillyer

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Peter commentary Norman Hillyer

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Hillyer takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He was an English minister.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. The publisher notes that the UCBS series offers “section-by-section exposition of the biblical books with key terms and phrases highlighted…”

See more about the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.


I and II Peter
New Testament Library
by Lewis R. Donelson

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Peter commentary Lewis Donelson

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Donelson takes a critical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the NLT series “offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, providing fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text.”


1 and 2 Peter
A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary
by Ben Witherington III

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Peter commentary Ben Witherington

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Witherington takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Witherington also wrote the Revelation commentary in the NCBC series, which is considered one of the best Revelation commentaries.

The publisher notes that in the SRC series “the New Testament is interpreted within the context of the world in which it was written and read.”


Technical Commentaries


1 Peter
Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament
by Greg W. Forbes

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Peter commentary Greg Forbes

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Forbes teaches New Testament, Greek, and hermeneutics at Melbourne School of Theology in Australia. Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary.

The publisher notes the EGGNT series “closes the gap between the Greek text and the available lexical and grammatical tools, providing all the necessary information for greater understanding of the text.”


Classic 1 Peter Commentaries

1 and 2 Peter
Geneva Series of Commentaries
by Alexander Nisbet

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Peter commentary Alexander Nisbet

Synopsis: From the publisher: “Alexander Nisbet’s commentary on 1 & 2 Peter provides an outstanding practical treatment of his epistles. This Geneva Series of Commentaries is ideal aid for preachers, teachers, group leaders and all students or readers of the Bible. Perhaps of all the apostles, most Christians find themselves most readily drawn to Simon Peter.”


Hebrews 1-2 Peter
Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries
by John Calvin

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Peter commentary John Calvin

Synopsis: From the publisher: “The power of John Calvin’s verse-by-verse study of Hebrews and the First and Second Epistles of Peter is masterfully captured in this translation by William B. Johnston. Precise and authoritative, yet lucid and very readable…”


Also see:

Compare 75 different commentary series on the Bible Commentary Series Comparison Chart

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