This article explores two forms of false pride related to the use of Bible commentaries in preaching, teaching, and writing.
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Humans can be proud for different reasons. Some take pride in what they have or accomplish, while others take pride in what they avoid or refrain from doing. This article explores two forms of pride related to the use of Bible commentaries in preaching, teaching, and writing.
Taking Pride in Not Using Commentaries
There are preachers and teachers who take pride in not using any commentaries at all. They boast that they read only the Bible and never refer to commentaries for interpretation. They argue that Scripture interprets Scripture and that the Bible alone has all the answers we need. They claim that since commentaries are written by people, they are unreliable and should be avoided. Instead, they say, we should trust only the Holy Spirit to help us understand Scripture.
To me, this is a form of false pride. What’s more surprising is that many who hold this view are themselves trained in seminaries or theological colleges, where they learned from teachers and theologians. This is contradictory—they reject commentaries while relying on the teachings of others who wrote or used them.
This view is flawed in two main ways. First, saying we should not use a commentary is like saying we should not learn from others. But commentaries are simply tools written by scholars to help us understand the Bible better. The Bible was written over a span of 1,500 years by many different authors, in different languages, cultures, and historical settings. To understand it properly, we need to study its background—who the author was, when and why it was written, and who the original audience was. Learning from scholars is not a weakness; it is wisdom. Refusing to learn from those who have spent years studying these things is a form of pride. It shows a lack of willingness to grow. As a result, many who take this approach remain immature and limited in their understanding of Scripture.
Second, there is a clear contradiction in this belief. Those who reject commentaries still interpret the Bible and teach others. But if they believe we should not learn from anyone, then why should others learn from them? In effect, they are saying, “Don’t learn from anyone—except me.” That is not humility; it is pride. Such thinking leads to isolation and narrow-mindedness. Sadly, some preachers and teachers fall into this trap—they discourage others from learning from scholars, yet expect people to learn only from them.
This is similar to those who argue we should not use the internet at all for preaching or teaching. Of course, there are dangers when we over-depend on it. But using the internet wisely can be helpful. The problem is not in using tools, but in misusing or over-trusting them. Tools are not the enemy; pride is.
Taking Pride in Using Commentaries
The second form of false pride comes from the overuse or misuse of commentaries, especially in writing and preaching. Some theological students and teachers take pride in filling their writings with endless footnotes and references. To them, a paper or book is considered good not because of the ideas or arguments it contains, but because it has a lot of footnotes and a long bibliography.
I once heard someone from a secular background comment on a theological paper filled with citations and say, “This writer has copied well!” The paper quoted others from the first line of the introduction to the last line of the conclusion, with no original thought. He asked, “What kind of research is this?” His point was valid—simply using many references doesn’t necessarily make a paper good. It’s the content that truly matters. Quoting many books is not the same as thinking deeply. Of course, using commentaries and reference books is helpful and encouraged. But assuming that more references always mean better work is misleading. Sometimes, it simply reveals pride.
This happens in preaching too. Some preachers use commentaries mainly to impress their audience. They quote scholars and mention book titles not to help people know God or grow spiritually, but to show off their learning. Their aim is to be admired, not to inspire. They seek respect for being knowledgeable but fail to focus on changing lives. True preaching is not about sounding clever, but about leading people closer to God. The motive behind our teaching matters. If our goal is to appear wise rather than to build up others, then our pride is false.
Finding the Balance
We must avoid both extremes- completely rejecting commentaries or depending on them too much. We should use our minds, think carefully, and reason well. Above all, we must rely on the Holy Spirit for insight and guidance. Believing in the Holy Spirit does not mean rejecting all human help. Studying the Bible also means using good study tools—books, resources, and even digital tools like the internet—wisely and prayerfully. We grow by learning from both God and others.
If we are unwilling to learn from others, we should not be eager to teach. Wanting only to teach without being open to learn is a dangerous form of pride. We must avoid it. A humble heart is one that is always ready to learn, even while teaching.
Liba Hopeson