The Expositor’s Bible was first published in eight series, each with six volumes, from 1888 to 1905. Edited by Sir W. Robertson Nicoll, the series featured contributions from twenty-nine prominent preachers from various Protestant backgrounds, emphasizing the shared beliefs across many denominations.

Nicoll, a theological writer, apologist, and literary critic, was well-suited suited for this role. His position as editor of the prestigious British Weekly gave him the necessary access to recruit prominent preachers to the task, and his literary skills added significant value to the volumes.

The Expositor's Bible is a substantial work, instrumental for sermon crafting and scholarly study. The series enjoyed broad distribution among clergymen and ministers in its day, and the truths within these volumes continue to resonate with preachers, teachers, and students of the Word today.

James Denney (1856–1917) attended Free Church College, Glasgow from 1879-1883. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Greenock in 1883, appointed to Hill Street Mission of St. John's (Free Church), Glasgow. He was called to the East Free Church, Broughty Ferry in 1886, where some of his sermons were edited by Nicoll into the 2 Corinthians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians volumes of the Expositor's Bible Commentary. Denny was awarded a DD by the University of Chicago, where he had delivered a series of lectures that were published in 1894. He was appointed professor of systematic theology at Free Church College Glasgow in 1897. In 1900 was appointed professor of New Testament Language and Literature, which he held until his death in 1917, having been appointed principal of the college in 1915.

Sir William Robertson Nicoll, editor, was a distinguished scholar, theological writer, and preacher. Born in Scotland, he served as a minister before moving to England. He earned his MA from the University of Aberdeen in 1870 and was ordained in 1874. In 1884, he became the editor of The Expositor for Hodder and Stoughton. After recovering from typhoid in 1885, he retired from preaching and founded the British Weekly, which he edited until his death in 1923. This publication greatly influenced non-conformist churches in England. Shortly after launching the British Weekly Nicoll began releasing the Expositor's Bible volumes, which he oversaw as editor. In 1909 he was knighted by King Edward VII.