1 Introductory Notes 1.1 The need for several types of commentary For an effective teaching and preaching ministry, commentaries take their place among other essential tools. But since different tasks often require different tools, useful commentaries are of more than one kind. Those listed in this little book may serve in at least three or four distinct ways, which correspond to the following needs. The dominant need is to understand meanings accurately. Postmodern sensibilities notwithstanding,