How to Write Your Own Bible Commentaries

What do you do after you've tried using a journaling Bible, wide-margin Bible, and even an interleaved Bible- but keep running out of room? When you have more to say than your writing space allows, you make your own Bible commentary! Today I'll share my method of writing commentaries on books of the Bible, what I've learned after doing it for over ten years, and some advice on how you can get started on such a valuable way of studying the Bible in-depth! This is an average person's guide to writing your own Bible commentaries.
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[@lauracheeverauthor]

I noticed a few months ago that my Bible journaling notes were drawing my eyes instead of scripture, (massive problem, because the focus was on my words, not God’s. Total self idolatry.) So I started fresh with a new ESV Reader's Edition and the Story of Redemption Journals from the Daily Grace Co. Its a set of four journals with half a page of space per chapter of the Bible. It's not enough space, but I'm utilizing tip ins and sticky notes which expands my square inches for notes. It feels like a win-win because I still get all the benefits of Bible journaling but when I'm reading the word of God, all I've got in front of me is the word of God. It didn't occur to me until I saw your video that I'm basically writing my own commentaries. 😅

[@derrickpurdy7011]

One thing I would recommend is that if you use a document writer, use one that can create a PDF. That makes it easier to share your commentary with friends.

[@betterbiblereading]

Thanks Derrick- that's a good point

[@jeffstormer2547]

also makes editing/amending later a lot easier than working by hand.

[@useupwearout5029]

I do something similar to this, just in a "broader sense". I have a few 3 ring binders. I put my commentaries in between the tabs set for each book of the bible. If I read something from outside the bible (say another commentary, or Christian Living book) I can jot my thoughts down on looseleaf...and fit it in the proper spot, in the proper book. Over time, when I need to expand, I redistribute the books throughout another additional binder, or two.). I have to say, I do like your bound volumes though! That would definitely inspire me to pull just one off the shelf and revisit my thoughts! Thank you for sharing! I really enjoy seeing how others organize their thoughts.

[@PastorEdwinTheProverbiallife]

This was very encouraging and inspiring. Thank you 🙏

[@betterbiblereading]

You're very welcome! Glad you found this helpful. Thanks for watching

[@js3511]

Your video just showed up in my feed. I just wanted to say thanks for producing it. You echoed much of what I've been sharing with people over the past year. It started with the typical notes in the Bible itself, then discovering wide margin Bibles or "Journaling" Bibles, to finally using a Bible app to centralize all my notes. What I finally realized after quite a while is that if I go line by line or scripture by scripture and look further into it and pull in the cultural, historical, spiritual, and personal application then I would eventually have my own "commentary" so to say. Also you are correct into the impact of physically writing stuff down. There are many scientific studies that support the fact that we remember stuff better by physically writing rather typing it on a screen.

[@betterbiblereading]

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I think it’s a great practice for any Christian. What I’ve written down by hand seems to be what has stuck with me in terms of my studies

[@jeffstormer2547]

true...for those that can write by hand. nerve damage prevents handwriting for more than about 5 minutes at a stretch. typing is still doable. But to your point, yes, the more senses involved in learning something, the better we retain it. it was my fav technique in seminary a bajillion years ago...just can't keep up anymore. not that my memory retains as much any more either. old timer's

[@anthonyanderson9771]

Thank you so much for this. I probably started recording and compiling notes more seriously around the same time as you. It's really encouraging to hear someone else's processes and to see others doing the work to be orderly, intentional, and to value knowing what the Lord has said. I truly believe that every human being is a theologian. Most have horrible theology. And every Christian has to read their word, and discern what Abba has said to them. Only in Bible study do we understand our faith, see what it is we truly believe, and own the gospel for ourselves. We need doctrine to keep us on track theologically, elders and pastors to keep us in doctrine, love, with unity in the work of the gospel, but prayer with scripture meditation and Bible study to keep us in fellowship and knowing God with a strong relationship. Thank you again brother!

[@betterbiblereading]

Thanks for sharing Anthony! I’m really glad this was encouraging to you 🙏🏻

[@kimbers1238]

This is a good idea. Plus because the bible is living u never know what u will be shown next so u could always write a date and continue on

[@betterbiblereading]

This really has a ton of possibilities! Great idea

[@kathya8421]

What a great idea!

[@chrisjohnson9542]

I'm kinda doing this except I just use a moleskin notebook and mark the date and scripture I'm studying. I use a very simple formula to study a passage. It's more devotional but I first observe the passage to see what it says and make an outline of the passage trying to notice and write down the main subject or theme. Then I interpret the passage to look at what it says about God, what does it say about man, how does it fit with the bigger redemptive story, How does it point to Christ, what other places in scripture does it talk about this same topic. I write down cross references, definitions to any Hebrew or Greek words that I find helpful, I write out theological implications of the text. Then I move to the third phase application. How should I respond in light of the text. Sometimes there are specific directions or applications that are stated clearly in the text, sometimes there are many things that the light of the word reveals specifically in areas of my life. Sometimes it's just to worship God for something that is revealed about Him in the passage. Sometimes it's encouraging myself in light of whatever glorious truths are revealed about God's sustaining and preserving grace and His precious promises. Sometimes it's confessing my sin that I see. Some days I write a lot and some days it's very little and anything in-between. I write these down in my journal and then I take whatever notes are important and transfer them over to my wide margin bible. There's really kinda a twofold purpose in all of this for me. The first and main one is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. I think of psalm 1 which is one of my life passages. To delight in God's word and meditate upon it day and night so that I can be like a tree that is planted by rivers of running water that yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither and prospers in all he does. And second as I compile these notes they become a resource for me to use in the future. I do not do any of this perfectly and many days I don't write anything but that's OK. This is a longterm thing that will never be finished.

[@betterbiblereading]

I agree with you Chris that this is a long-term thing! As you said, there are so many specific benefits and reasons to do this, but growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ is always the centerpiece of this approach! Thanks for watching

[@warforlight805]

This is one of the coolest things I have seen in my 11 years of being a believer. Thank you. This will be something amazing for my own spiritual life but even better to leave To my children when I pass away

[@betterbiblereading]

So glad that you found this helpful!

[@GodLine24]

love this, thanks for sharing, i can also pass this down to my children.

[@Jbutler63]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@arlenaf.3503]

Thank you for sharing. This is truly an awesome idea. I normally use Blank Binder Filler Paper to makes notes/personal commentaries and then place them in a huge Binder. Indeed, the Bible Journals in many case do not have enough room, especially when it comes to my long drawn out notes.

[@RawfullyYours]

This is fantastic, thank you!

[@betterbiblereading]

It's my pleasure!

[@3T_Media_2023]

I appreciate the inspiration I definitely be watching this again

[@betterbiblereading]

Thanks Chris!

[@faithannscheck5351]

What an encouraging video ❤. I’ve downloaded your Jonah commentary. I agree with another comment that you have made what I thought was a daunting task seem “doable”. I’m looking forward to future videos. God bless & thank you 💕

[@betterbiblereading]

Thanks so much! I’m glad you found this helpful

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx, Brother Kevin🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@betterbiblereading]

Absolutely!

[@ChristianmaterialsResources]

God bless you more for creating this channel..l love this channel

[@betterbiblereading]

Thanks for watching!

[@missinglink_eth]

I'd love to see your commentary on 1 Peter 3:18-22

[@melissadavisson3783]

I started writing my own book commentary last year and I am hooked! It is so much work but (like all things of God) He makes it so worth our time and effort! You stated that we could download one of your commentaries to see your process but I don’t see the link. I am enjoying your videos. Thank you!

[@betterbiblereading]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing Melissa. So sorry about that- I just found out that I forgot to place the link in the description, so it's now on there! Here is the direct link: upbeat-architect-8553.ck.page/b466ee24e2

[@ocagaecheta]

Thanks Kevin

[@angelaarmstrong6405]

I think that’s a wonderful idea. Then we can look back on them. I have mine in a journaling Bible and never have enough room. 🥰✝️⛪️📖🖊

[@betterbiblereading]

Absolutely! Thanks Angela

[@adamdf101]

Thank you for sharing. I have been pondering the idea of writing my own bible commentaries for months now but starting is a mental hurdle. Thank you for presenting this task in a way that is not as daunting. I have been studying through Isaiah very deeply with a friend, and I just felt like My margins were exploding with notes. I have been writing my observations in a notebook since I didn’t want to completely fill up my margins as much. And in the way that you have explained things I have begun to realize that the Lord was already helping me to write my own bible commentary. Good stuff!

[@betterbiblereading]

So exciting Adam. I love hearing things like this, so thanks for sharing and I’m thrilled that I was able to encourage you!

[@amyschneider4142]

Same for me, only I'm in Acts 3. I'm so inspired now! Thank you!💖 ☝

[@herbertgillard]

Thank you so much for this.... Really profound.❤️🇬🇭🙏

[@PastorPeewee20]

I am a Pastor and never thought about this but I am interested

[@betterbiblereading]

Give it a try!

[@PastorPeewee20]

@@betterbiblereading thanks I will I'm not good at writing from my own words but I will

[@3T_Media_2023]

Go for it

[@petermilburn1214]

I'm just starting and using loose leaf files. That means when you go back to a book/ chapter by just adding another sheet of paper.

[@betterbiblereading]

Great idea Peter!

[@nathankuba3229]

What kind of notebook are those? They look really nice

[@betterbiblereading]

Hey Nathan I found these at Walmart and bought a handful of them back in 2011ish? But I haven’t been able to find any of them so I don’t think they make these anymore unfortunately

[@nathankuba3229]

@@betterbiblereading thanks man I recently got the book studying,interpreting and applying the Bible. I'm going to use that method to start writing my own commentary. Thanks for the video it was really helpful

[@betterbiblereading]

@@nathankuba3229 So glad it was helpful Nathan. Thanks so much for watching!

[@esthericebreaker1310]

This way you can write books and publish them

[@betterbiblereading]

Absolutely!

[@calebdugger9162]

First, thank you for putting yourself out there and posting. Secondly, I think a lot of us have at some point went through the same process of writing notes in the bible, in handouts we get from church, and then taking it to a composition notebook. I guess my long way of asking a short question is: What's the best way to digitize your notes, commentary, questions, etc? It would be great to be able to link it to a verse to automatically pull up that verse as well and even do searches. Last year I was asked if I would read the bible with some others and throw some notes down. We shared a Google Sheets file and I ended up creating columns that were labeled: Book | Chapter | Verse(s) | Notes. I didn't always have my computer with me and ended up going back to a notebook for a lot of notes and of course didn't feel like digitizing them at certain points. However I tend to use the Olive Tree app (which is amazing) (www.olivetree.com/) because I can take notes and highlight certain passages from multiple different versions and it has the ability to view commentaries and dictionaries at the same time and syncs across devices. And I found out you can export all of the notes and highlights you've taken. But how do we get this in one cohesive document that has clickable links?!

[@betterbiblereading]

That’s a great question and a great idea. Unfortunately I do not know the answer to this. I am 100% sure that there are apps or programs for this. Whether the real are great ones that work across windows and Mac, I’m not sure. I would be curious to know though

[@anthonyanderson9771]

Hey brother, I know the question wasn't directed at me but there was a budding youtuber in 2020-2022 that I found. He would use the obsidian application to back link. He said that it took some set up but it worked for him. Unfortunately I don't have his name /handle, I didn't subscribe, and I haven't seen any recommendations from KZbin since. Maybe some research into obsidian, or into the "second brain" digital note taking wave would yield useful suggestions for a solution. I note on paper, study online, and print /gather everything into 3 ring binders. I haven't had the discipline or time to truly be consistent with Bible study, presentations, and condensing into one document so this is my compromise. For reference/context my Bible engagement : Solo daily Bible reading on a yearly plan, one chapter a day with study group (presentation once a week), plus several study projects (and ad hock/emergency studies), and one deep dive into a book throughout a quarter of the year. That's a lot to manage, so true organization or condensing the notes had to be compromised.