Reformation Commentary on Scripture

The Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) provides a crucial link between the contemporary church and the historical church. The biblical insights of the Reformed tradition are made available as a powerful tool. Like never before, believers join a genuine tradition of renewal as they faithfully approach the Scriptures.

What is the Reformation Commentary on Scripture Series?

Hear from landmark figures such as Luther and Calvin, as well as lesser-known commentators such as:

Peter Martyr Vermigli
Johannes Oecolampadius
Martin Bucer
Johannes Brenz
Caspar Cruciger
Giovanni Diodati
and Kaspar Olevianus

The series introduces you to the great diversity that constituted the Reformation. It comes with commentary from Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist and even reform-minded Catholic thinkers. And all shared a commitment to the faithful exposition of Scripture.

Many of these texts are being published in English for the first time! Additionally, volumes contain biographies of figures from the Reformation era, adding an essential reference for students of church history.

Several features have been incorporated into the design of this commentary and we wanted to show you just a few.

Pericopes of Scripture

The scriptural text is split into pericopes, usually several verses in length. Each of these pericopes has a heading, which appears at the beginning of the pericope. For example, the first pericope in the commentary on Galatians is “1:1-5 Greetings and Blessings.”

Overviews

Following each pericope of text is an overview of the Reformation authors’ comments on that pericope. The format of this overview varies among the volumes of this series, depending on the requirements of the specific book of Scripture.

Topical Headings

An abundance of varied Reformation-era comment is available for each pericope. For this reason we have broken the pericopes into two levels. First is the verse with its topical heading. The reformers’ comments are then focused on aspects of each verse. Additionally, there are topical headings summarizing the essence of the individual comment by evoking a key phrase, metaphor or idea. This feature provides a bridge by which modern readers can enter into the heart of the Reformation-era comment.

Identifying the Reformation-Era Texts

Following the topical heading, the name of the Reformation commentator is provided. An English translation (where needed) of the reformer’s comment is then shared. This is immediately followed by the title of the original work rendered in English. Tap on the name to read a brief biographical sketch of the Reformation commentator.

Reformation Commentary on Scripture olive tree

The Footnotes

Readers who wish to pursue a deeper investigation of the Reformation works cited in this commentary will find the footnotes especially valuable. Tapping on footnotes will open a small screen. All footnotes and additional references are accessible here.

Reformation Commentary on Scripture footnotes

Resource Guide

Use the Reformation Commentary on Scripture in the Resource Guide! All you need to do it open your favorite Bible translation. Then, open the Study Center and make sure you are in the Resource Guide tab. As you read, we will show you applicable content from your resources.

The app also keeps up with the scripture passage you’re reading in the main window with sync scrolling. As you read in the main window, any resource open in the Study Center will scroll with you. You know what this means? No. More. Page turning.

Linked References

One of the greatest frustrations in the hard copy world is trying to keep up with verse references. Whenever the text references a verse, it sparks an internal disagreement. “Will this reference be worth looking up? Of course it will be! Do it! … Do I have to, though?”

But in the app, we hyperlink the Scripture references within the commentary text. All you have to do is tap the scripture reference to read it instantly.

Reformation Commentary on Scripture hyperlink

Copy/Paste into Notes

Commentaries are full of great content. It can be so helpful to find a great quote, summarizes what we were thinking, but couldn’t put into words. However, in the world of hard-copy commentaries, you’ll need to write or type out the quote for safe-keeping. With the app, all you have to do is highlight the text you want, copy it and paste it into your notes. This feature saves people a ton of time!