Bibles and Commentaries

This is an index of links to (i) Texts of the Holy and Canonical Scriptures, (ii) Lectionaries, psalters and other works containing the texts of the Scriptures; (iii) Meditations on the Scriptures, (iv) Commentaries and Exegeses, and (v) Texts on Debates Concerning the Scriptures. To keep the list reasonably long, it does not include books that cite the Scriptures to discuss a subject other than the Scriptures themselves, nor all texts concerning devotions like Rosary, the Divine Office, and the Way of the Cross, which are actually structured meditations on the Scriptures (these are more completely listed on the page Prayers and Devotions).

See also the texts listed on the page Revelation and Faith.

I. Texts of the Holy Scriptures

  • The Bible. Available in multiple languages on the website of the Holy See, whose English text is from New American Bible (Copyright 2002 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).
  • Biblia Clerus: Revised Standard Version (1966) with Concordance. May be accessed online at the Congregation for the Clergy, of the Holy See, and may be downloaded through this page.
    • [N.B., This is a useful resource for spiritual reading, homiletics, and scholarship. Just click the “COMMENT” link on the top of each Scriptural chapter, and the Navigation Column on the left will show active links to relevant commentaries and passages from the documents of the magisterium, liturgical texts, the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Denzinger, and the Catechisms. Also available in Latin, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian.]
  • Biblia Sacra Juxta Vulgatam Clementinam (editio electronica), præparata a Michaele Tvveedale, auxiliati sunt Mila Bozovic, Margarita Burghart, Ronaldus Conte, Michael Dubiaga, R. P. Joannes Finnegan, Alundis Insensate, Eduardus Kotski, Bertrand Michelet, Michael Morbach, Ricardus Urquhart, Andreja Vasiljevic, et Edgardus Vreuls  (Londini, 2005). Cum approbatione. Available in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index; and may be read online at DRBO.org (where it may also be read with the Douay-Rheims-Challoner Version).
  • Confraternity Bible: New Testament and Supplemental Commentary; featuring The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: a Revision of the Challoner-Rheims Version (1941), also known as The New Testament, Confraternity Edition, and its companion work by the Catholic Biblical Association, A Commentary on the New Testament (1942). [LINKS REMOVED MOTU PROPRIO PENDING COPYRIGHT CHECK] 
    • The webpage states “This transcription was made with the understanding that the original copyrights for these two works were not renewed and that they have since entered the Public Domain.” However, we have found comments on other fora casting doubt on this assumption. Therefore we have removed the links to the online text until we are able to definitely verify that the it is already in the public domain or was uploaded with lawful permission of the copyright holder.
  • “Haydock’s Catholic Bible“; or The Holy Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate, diligently compared with the Hebrew, Greek, and other editions in divers languages; the Old Testament first published by the English College at Douay, A.D. 1609, and the New Testament, first published by the English College at Rheims, A.D. 1582; with useful notes, critical, historical, controversial, and explanatory, selected from the most eminent commentators, and the most able and judicious critics, by the Rev. George Leo Haydock (New York, Edward Dunigan and Brother, 1852). With the approbation of the Archbishop of New York, who said it had “the Complete Notes of Bishop Challoner, Rev. George Leo Haydock, and others, and [was] known as Haydock’s Catholic Bible”. May be read online, and available in pdf format, at Google Books. Also available at Google Play Books and at the Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  • The Holy Bible. Containing Parallel texts in English (Knox translation), Greek and Latin (Vulgate). Also called the New Advent Bible. May be read online on this page at New Advent (copyright 2009, Kevin Knight; Knox translation copyright 2013, Westminster diocese) [N.B., We have assumed that the Knox translation was uploaded with the consent of the copyright holder(s). Please advise us if this is incorrect.]
  • The Holy Bible, Douay-Rheims Translation, Challoner Revision (The Holy Bible; Translated from the Latin Vulgate; Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek, and Other Divers Languages; The Old Testament First Published by the English College at Douay, A.D. 1609; and The New Testament First Published by the English College at Rheims, A.D. 1582; The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with the Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard Challoner, A.D. 1749–1752). The text, including the notes and commentary attributed to Bishop Challoner, may be read online at DRBO.org (where it may also be read with the Clementine Vulgate) and at Christian Classics Ethereal Library; it is available in PDF format (here) at Free Catholic Ebooks; and it is available at Internet Archive. The text without the commentary attributed to Bishop Challoner is available in PDF format through the e-library of Saint Patrick Basilica; and it is available in PDF format (with a 2nd copy here) and in TXT format, and may be read online here at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (© Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library).
  • The Holy Bible, Original Douay-Rheims Translation (The Holie Bible, Faithfvlly Translated into English, Out of the Avthentical Latin; Diligently conferred with the Hebrew, Greeke, and other Editions in divers languages; with Argvments of the Books, and Chapters: Annotations: Tables: and other helpes, for better vnderstanding of the text: for discoverie of Corrvptions in some late translations: and for clearing Controversies in Religion), by the English College in Doway (Doway, MDCIX). With Approbation. Available in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index, which identifies it as the Original Douai-Rheims Bible: Old Testament (Part I), Old Testament (Part II), New Testament. [Uses Early Modern English spelling]


II. Works Containing the Text of the Sacred Scriptures

See also the works listed on the page Liturgy.

  • The Book of Divine Worship; Being Elements of the Book of Common Prayer Revised and Adapted according to the Roman Rite for Use by Roman Catholics Coming from the Anglican Tradition, Approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States of America and Confirmed by the Apostolic See (Mt. Pocono, PA: Newman House Press, 2003). With Imprimatur. Available in PDF format (on this page) of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church, linked to by Daily Office; and on this page, linked to by the Anglicanorum Coetibus Society. [N.B., Steven Cavanaugh of Anglican Use reported that there will soon be a revised Book of Divine Worship, with the order of the Mass conforming to the new translation of the Roman Missal.]
  • The Divine Office of the Extraordinary or Traditional Form of the Roman Rite. Available in Latin, English, Magyar (Hungarian), Italiano (Italian), Deutsch (German), and Polski (Polish) at Divinum Officium, which was created and designed by the late Laszlo Kiss (+2011), and is administered by The Divinum Officium Project. It may be accessed through PC or through mobile devices. The website also includes a section named Santa Missa, which contains the daily text of the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Traditional Divine Office is also made available for mobile devices through the following Android apps by the developer Lux Aeterna:  1962 Divine Office Breviary, 1962 Divine Office Breviary V2, and 1962 Missal and Breviary.
  • The Gospels for Lent and the Passion of Christ: Readings at Divine Service During the Forty Days of Lent with Short Meditations for the Faithful, by Carl Jacob Eisenring, translated by Charles Cannon (St. Louis, Mo.: B. Herder, 1911). With Imprimatur. Available on Open Library and Internet Archive (Digitizing sponsor: MSN; Book contributor: Robarts Library of Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Toronto).
  • A Little Book for Holy Week: Meditations and Readings from Palm Sunday to Easter; With Two Visits to the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose, by Richard F. Clarke (London: Catholic Truth Society, 1915). Available in multiple formats at Internet Archive.
  • The Liturgy of the Hours in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Available in Latin and English at the website Universalis. A list and review of apps with the Liturgy of the Hours is available at Catholic Apptitude. AppCrawlr has a list of similar Android apps and iOS apps, of which iBreviary and Laudate are free.


III. Meditations on the Scriptures

  • Considerations and Devout Meditations for Every Day During the Holy Season of Lent, with Gospels for the Sundays, etc. [short title, Devout Meditations for the Holy Season of Lent], by an anonymous member of the Society of Jesus. Dublin, London: James Duffy, 1866. May be downloaded in PDF format (digitized by Google) from the index at Saints’ Books, and may be read at Google Books. The blog aeternus and the index at Saints’ Books provide excerpts. Regarding its fidelity, the book has no Imprimatur, but it was written when Jesuit writings were reliably orthodox, it was published by a reputable Catholic press, J. Duffy or James Duffy of Dublin, and it is not listed in the old Index Librorum Prohibitorum.
  • Contemplations and Meditations on the Passion and Death, and on the Glorious Life of our Lord Jesus Christ, According to the Method of St. Ignatius, 5th edition, translated from the French by a Sister of Mercy, revised by the Rev. William H. Eyre, S.J. (London: Burns & Oates; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Bros, 1901). With Imprimatur. Available at Open Library and Internet Archive (Digitizing sponsor: MSN, Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).
  • The Gospels for Lent and the Passion of Christ: Readings at Divine Service During the Forty Days of Lent with Short Meditations for the Faithful, by Carl Jacob Eisenring, translated by Charles Cannon (St. Louis, Mo.: B. Herder, 1911). With Imprimatur. Available on Open Library and Internet Archive (Digitizing sponsor: MSN; Book contributor: Robarts Library of Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Toronto).
  • The Holy Rosary, by St. Josemaria Escriva. May be read at or downloaded from Escrivaworks.org . (copyright Studium Foundation, rights reserved).
  • Invito Spirituale: A Spiritual Summons to Devout Meditation on the Passion of Jesus, by Fra Battisita da Faenza (1757). Available in PDF format at this page of Capuchin Beginnings. 9 pages.
  • Lenten sermons, by Augustine Wirth, O.S.B. (Elizabeth, NJ, 1891). Available on Open Library and Internet Archive (Digitizing sponsor: MSN; Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).
  • A Little Book for Holy Week: Meditations and Readings from Palm Sunday to Easter; With Two Visits to the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose, by Richard F. Clarke (London: Catholic Truth Society, 1915). Available in multiple formats at Internet Archive.
  • The Liturgy of the Hours in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is available in Latin and English at the website Universalis. A list and review of apps with the Liturgy of the Hours is available at Catholic Apptitude. AppCrawlr has a list of similar Android apps and iOS apps, of which iBreviary and Laudate are free.
  • Ofrecimiento del Santísimo Rosario, Segun el Uso de la Sagrada Religion de Nuestro Padre Santo Domingo de Guzman, por Don José Ruiz de Sorzano (Madrid: Imprenta de Aguado, 1823). Disponible en Internet Archive, con una secunda copia en Internet Archive, y Google Books.
  • The Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus & the Seven Last Words, by Saint Alphonsus De Liguori. Selections from his The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ, translated from the Italian, edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm, C.Ss.R. (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1887), further edited and language modernized by Br. Sean, a choir monk, 2009, from an etext at archive.org. With notes & picture. The selections center on the later stage of the Passion of Christ from His scourging to His crucifixion, with meditations on the seven words. Available at Internet Archive and Internet Archive (2nd copy).
  • The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ, by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (New York, Cincinnati, St. Louis: Benziger Brothers, 1886). The Complete Works of Saint Alphonsus De Liguori, Doctor of the Church, translated from the Italian, edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm, C.Ss.R. The Ascetical Works, Volume 5. With approbation (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1886). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
  • Prayers and Meditations on the Life of Christ, by Thomas Haemerken à Kempis [Thomas à Kempis], translated from the text of the edition of Michael Joseph Pohl, Ph.D. by W. Duthoit, DCL (London: K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., Ltd., 1908). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in mobi, epub, pdf, and other formats, at Internet Archive.
  • The Seven Words on the Cross, by St. Robert Bellarmine. With Imprimatur. May be read online at Internet Archive [which provides the 7 June 2011 snapshot of Christ’s Faithful People, possibly defunct as of 15 October 2012]
  • The Stations of the Cross according to the Method of St Alphonsus Liguori (St Mary’s Shrine, Warrington). Produced by St Mary’s Shrine Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Liverpool, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP). Available in pdf format (on this page) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Balornock.
  • Stations of the Cross, composed by Saint Alphonsus Liguori [or St. Alphonsus De Liguori] (Alexandria, VA: Sacred Spaces Liturgical Design Inc., 2011). Produced by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Gainesville, Virginia, with verses from the hymn “Stabat Mater” and “pictures of the Stations of the Cross taken from Church of the Holy Trinity, Gainesville, Virginia by TimeLine Media”. Available in pdf format on this page at The New Evangelization: Share Your Catholic Faith, by Father Francis J. Peffley and on this page at Holy Angels Catholic Church. The text of a similar version with the verses of the “Stabat Mater” may be read online on this page at the-latinmass.com, and on this page at Catholic Prayers.
  • “Stations of the Cross by St. Alphonsus Liguori – Sacred Art Series” (video). Available at the Youtube channel of Will Bloomfield. It is narrated by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf (“Fr. Z”) of www.wdtprs.com, with the verses of the “Stabat Mater” chanted, visually accompanied by the “Stations of the Cross painted by Pietro Rudolfi, St. Ignatius Church, San Francisco, California”, and with “Crux Fidelis during closing credits by Schola Sanctae Scholasticae, UK; St. Cecilia’s Abbey UK”.
  • Via Crucis, or, The Holy Way of the Cross: containing a novena for the passion of Our Lord, a devout method for performing the stations of the cross, prayers at mass, &c.; with concise instructions on the scapular, and the novena of St. Francis Xaverius &c. &c. &c. compiled for the congregation of St. Patrick’s Church. (Quebec: Augustin Cote & Co., 1844) With episcopal approbation. Available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • El Via Crucis: Ejercicio del Via Crucis con las Meditaciones de San Alfonso María Ligorio. Disponible en Una Voce Sevilla, Catholic.net, y encuentra.com.
  • The Way of the Cross, by St. Josemaria Escriva. The ebook may be read online using its Table of Contents accessible through this page (containing the synopsis) at Josemaria Escriva (© Studium Foundation, rights reserved). A leaflet version of the text, entitled “Stations of the Cross” and containing brief summaries of the meditations for the stations, is available in pdf format on this page of San Josemaria Escriva, Fundador del Opus Dei. [N.B., Notwithstanding the availability of the summary, we heartily recommend the use of the original longer text for meditation.] The ebook and paperback of the text are available for worth-it prices at this page of Scepter Publishers (linked by this page of Opus Dei); on this page of Young Catholuc Mums; at Amazon; and at Barnes & Noble. The paperback may be purchased on this page of Casa Maria Bookstore; on this page of Sinag-Tala Publishers (for purchasers in the Philippines); and at St Paul’s (for Australian and international customers).
  • The Way of the Cross: Traditional and Modern Meditations: Traditional Meditations by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, Modern Meditations by Father Stefano Penna (New Haven CT: Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, 2003-2017), which may be read online and is available in pdf format through this page of the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council – Catholic Information Service.
  • Way of the Cross at the Colosseum, Good Friday 2005: Meditations and Prayers, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). May be read online at the Catholic News Agency (courtesy of Libreria Editrice Vaticana), Zenit, TotusTuus-Totus2us, and at the Holy See; and available in .docx format on this page at xt3. The audio in English may be listened to at TotusTuus-Totus2us, which also has links to the audio in French, Spanish, and Portuguese.The audio, read out by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, is available in mp3 format on this page of Fr. Z’s Blog, and it is published on this video (embedded in this post) at the bedwere Youtube channel. [The meditations and prayers for each Station are in English, while the responses are in Latin.]


IV. Commentaries, Exegetical Texts, Biblical Theology

  • The Apostles and the First Disciples, by Pope Benedict XVI (General Audiences 2006-2007). May be read online through Catechesis of the Popes. This provides a collection of the teaching addresses of Pope Benedict on the Origins of the Church; the Apostles; and the First Disciples. [N.B., According to Catechesis of the Popes: “This catechesis is available in book form from Our Sunday Visitor and Ignatius Press. Our Sunday Visitor has also published a corresponding Study Guide which is available for purchase and as a free downloadable.pdf file. OSV has also published an Illustrated Edition of The Apostles.”]
  • Bible Study Resources, by Fr. Eamon Tobin. A series of articles on the Scriptural books. Thus far, 75 articles have been completed on the books from Genesis to Song of Songs. Available at Ascension Catholic community.
  • Biblia Clerus: Revised Standard Version (1966) with Concordance. May be accessed online at the Congregation for the Clergy, of the Holy See, and may be downloaded through this page. [N.B., This is a useful resource for spiritual reading, homiletics, and scholarship. Just click the “COMMENT” link on the top of each Scriptural chapter, and the Navigation Column on the left will show active links to relevant commentaries and passages from the documents of the magisterium, liturgical texts, the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Denzinger, and the Catechisms. Also available in Latin, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian.]
  • Catena Aurea [Golden Chain of Commentaries on the Four Gospels], by St. Thomas Aquinas. May be read at Catechetics Online.
  • Catena Aurea – 1 – The Gospel of Matthew – A Commentary on the Gospel by St. Thomas Aquinas. May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index,
  • Catena Aurea: Commentary on the Four Gospels, Collected Out of the Works of the Fathers, Vol. I: St. Matthew, by Saint Thomas Aquinas, translated by John Henry Parker, with a Preface by John Henry Newman (Oxford: John Henry Parker; London: J. Rivington, 1841-1842). Originally printed in 3 parts, and available in multiple formats (pdf, epub, kindle/mobi, etc.): Part I (1841) on Chapters I to X, at Internet Archive and Open Library. Part II (1841) on Chapters XI to XXI, at Internet Archive. Part III (1842) on Chapters XXII to XXVIII, at  Internet Archive. Copies are also available without Newman’s Preface:
  • Catena Aurea – 2 – The Gospel of Mark – A Commentary on the Gospel by St. Thomas Aquinas. May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index,
  • Catena Aurea – 3 – The Gospel of Luke – A Commentary on the Gospel by St. Thomas Aquinas.  May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index,
  • Catena Aurea – 4 – The Gospel of John – A Commentary on the Gospel by St. Thomas Aquinas. May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index,
  • Chapters of Bible study; or, A popular introduction to the study of the Sacred Scriptures, by Herman Joseph Heuser (New York, The Cathedral Library Association, 1895). With Imprimatur. Available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • Christ and the Church, by Pope Benedict XVI (General Audiences 2006 to 2011). May be read online at the EWTN Library. This provides a collection of the teaching addresses of Pope Benedict on Christ and the Church, Apostolic Tradition, and the lives and works of Catholic teachers from the founding of the Church to modern times, including the Apostles, the Eastern and Western Fathers, and the Scholastics.
  • Commentary on the Psalms, by St. Thomas Aquinas, translated by Stephen Loughlin, Gregory Sadler, et al. Commentaries on Psalms 1-54 are indexed at the Aquinas Translation Project.
  • Confraternity Bible: New Testament and Supplemental Commentary; featuring The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: a Revision of the Challoner-Rheims Version (1941), also known as The New Testament, Confraternity Edition, and its companion work by the Catholic Biblical Association, A Commentary on the New Testament (1942). May be read online on this page, and may downloaded in epub and mobi/kindle formats through this page, at Confraternity Bible, which states: “This transcription was made with the understanding that the original copyrights for these two works were not renewed and that they have since entered the Public Domain.”
  • Explanation of the Lord’s Prayer, by St. Thomas Aquinas. Available on EWTN Library, as indexed on the St. Thomas Aquinas page of the Russian-language Medieval Philosophy Library.
  • Explanation of the Ten Commandments, by St. Thomas Aquinas. Available on EWTN Library, as indexed on the St. Thomas Aquinas page of the Russian-language Medieval Philosophy Library.
  • An Exposition of the Gospels, Consisting of an Analysis of each Chapter and of a Commentary, Critical, Exegetical, Doctrinal and Moral, Fourth Edition, Revised and Corrected, by Dr. John MacEvilly, Archbishop of Tuam (Dublin : M.H. Gill & Son; New York: Benziger Brothers, 1898). Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library
  • An Exposition of the Gospel of St. Luke; Consisting of an Analysis of each Chapter and of a Commentary, Critical, Exegetical, Doctrinal, and Moral, Second Edition Revised And Corrected, by Dr. John MacEvilly, Archbishop of Tuam (Dublin: Gill& Son, 1887). With a letter from Pope Leo XIII. Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • An Exposition of the Gospel of St. John, consisting of an analysis of each chapter, and of a commentary, critical, exegetical, doctrinal and moral, having the text, English and Latin, Prefixed in Full to each chapter; also, the verses in each chapter marginally arranged side by side with the commentary, Second Edition, by the Most Rev. Dr. MacEvilly, Archbishop of Tuam (Dublin : M.H. Gill & Son; New York: Benziger Brothers, 1902). Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library. Another edition (Dublin : M.H. Gill & Son; New York: Benziger Brothers, 1889) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • An Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles; consisting of an analysis of each chapter, and of a commentary, critical, exegetical, doctrinal and moral, by the Most Rev. Dr. MacEvilly, Archbishop of Tuam (Dublin : M.H. Gill & Son; New York: Benziger Brothers, 1899). Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • An Exposition of the Epistles of St. Paul, and of the Catholic Epistles; Consisting of an Introduction to each Epistle, and Analysis of each Chapter, a Paraphrase of the Sacred Text, and a Commentary, Embracing Notes, Critical, Explanatory, and Dogmatical, Interspersed with Moral Reflections, Volume I, Sixth Edition, Revised, Enlarged, and Corrected, by the Most Rev. John MacEvilly, D.D., Archbishop of Tuam (Dublin: M.H. Gill & Son; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1898). With letters from Pope Leo XIII and various prelates. Available in various formats at Internet Archive.
  • An Exposition of the Epistles of St. Paul, and of the Catholic Epistles; Consisting of an Introduction to each Epistle, and Analysis of each Chapter, a Paraphrase of the Sacred Text, and a Commentary, Embracing Notes, Critical, Explanatory, and Dogmatical, Interspersed with Moral Reflections, Volume II, Sixth Edition, Revised, Enlarged, and Corrected, by the Most Rev. John MacEvilly, D.D., Archbishop of Tuam (Dublin: M.H. Gill & Son; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1898). Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library. A copy of the Fourth Edition (Dublin: M.H. Gill & Son; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1891) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • General introduction to the study of the Holy Scriptures, by Francis Ernest Charles Gigot (New York, Cincinnati [etc.] Benziger Brothers, 1900). With Imprimatur. Available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • George Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition: A Catholic Bible commentary compiled by the late Rev. Fr. George Leo Haydock, following the Douay-Rheims Bible.
  • The Gospel of St. John; With Notes Critical and Explanatory, by the Rev. Joseph MacRory, D.D., Professor of Sacred Scripture and Hebrew, Maynooth College [later Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland] (Dublin: Browne & Nolan, 1897). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in mobi, epub, and other formats at Project Gutenberg and Internet Archive.
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: S. Matthew’s Gospel, Chaps. I. to IX, 3rd edition, translated by Thomas W. Mossman, Assisted by Various Scholars (London: John Hodges, 1887). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index; available in various formats at Internet Archive and Internet Archive (2nd copy). The 2nd edition (1876) is also available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library, and may be read in TXT format at EWTN Library. The Divine Lamp reproduces individual portions of the work, including St. Matthew 7:15-21 and 9:9-13.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation.]
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: S. Matthew’s Gospel, Chaps. X. to XXI, 3rd edition, translated by Thomas W. Mossman, Assisted by Various Scholars (London: John Hodges, 1889). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation, of which a 23-page free sample on St. Matthew chapter 16 is available in PDF format.]
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: S. Matthew’s Gospel, Chaps. XXII to XXVIII, St. Mark’s Gospel, 3rd edition, translated by Thomas W. Mossman, Assisted by Various Scholars (London: John Hodges, 1891). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation.]
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: S. Luke’s Gospel, 4th edition, translated by Thomas W. Mossman, Assisted by Various Scholars (Edinburgh: John Grant, 1908). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation.]
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: St. John’s Gospel, Chapters I to XI, 3rd edition, translated by Thomas W. Mossman, Assisted by Various Scholars (Edinburgh: John Grant, 1908). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation.]
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: St. John’s Gospel, Chapters XII to XXI and Epistles I, II and III, 4th edition, translated by Thomas W. Mossman, Assisted by Various Scholars (Edinburgh: John Grant, 1908). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation.]
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: I Corinthians, translated and edited by W. F. Cobb, D.D., Assisted by Various Scholars (Edinburgh: John Grant, 1908). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation.]
  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius a Lapide: II Corinthians and Galatians, translated and edited by W. F. Cobb, D.D., Assisted by Various Scholars (Edinburgh: John Grant, 1908). May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index.
    • [N.B., Please read with prayerful CAUTION, as it requires adequate theological formation. According to Dim Bulb (Divine Lamp), the translation was done by Anglican Protestants and contains critical comments on Catholic teachings expounded by Father De Lapide and omits some of his passages. He adds that Loreto Publications has produced a Catholic translation.]
  • The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, by the Pontifical Biblical Commission (March 18, 1994). Available at EWTN Library.
  • The Jewish People and Their Sacred Scriptures in the Christian Bible, by the Pontifical Biblical Commission (May 24, 2001). May be read online at the Holy See.
  • Obedient Children of a Loving Father: A Bible Study, by Betty Gravlin (2012). May be read online or downloaded in PDF, EPUB, Kindle, LRF, PDB formats at Smashwords.
  • A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture by Bishop Friedrich Knecht. May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index,
  • Practical Handbook for the Study of the Bible and of Bible Literature including Biblical Geography, Antiquties, Introduction to the Old and the New Testament, and Hermeneutics, by Michael Seisenberger, translated by Anna Maud Buchanan, ed. Thomas John Gerard (New York: J. F. Wagner, 1911). With Imprimatur. Available on Open Library and Internet Archive (Digitizing sponsor: MSN; Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).
  • The Psalms are Christian Prayer, by T. Worden (Sheed & Ward, 1961). [LINKS DELETED motu proprio DUE TO COPYRIGHT CONCERNS.]
  • The Year of St. Paul, by Pope Benedict XVI (General Audiences 2008-2009). May be read online through Catechesis of the Popes. This provides a collection of the teaching addresses of Pope Benedict on the life, teaching, and legacy of the Apostle Paul. [N.B., According to Catechesis of the Popes: “These audiences are available in book form from Ignatius Press.”]


V. Debates on the Holy Scriptures; Fundamental Theology

See also the works listed on the page Revelation and Faith.

  • The Bible and Rationalism; or, Answer to Difficulties in the Books of Moses, by John Thein. (St. Louis, Mo., B. Herder, 1901). Part 1 of 4. With Imprimatur. Available on Internet Archive [N.B. Actually Part I but the Internet Archive index page says it’s Volume III.]
  • The Bible and Rationalism; or, Answer to Difficulties in the Historical, Didactic, and Prophetical Books of the O.T. [Old Testament], by John Thein. (St. Louis, Mo., B. Herder, 1901). Part 2 of 4. With Imprimatur. Available at Internet Archive.
  • The Bible and Rationalism; or, Answer to Difficulties in the Books of the New Testament, by John Thein. (St. Louis, Mo., B. Herder, 1901). Part 3 of 4. With Imprimatur. Available on Open Library and Internet Archive [N.B. Actually Part III but the index page image is incorrectly that of Volume IV.]
  • The Bible and Rationalism; or, Answer to Difficulties in the Mosaic Cosmogony, Anthropology, and Biblical Chronology, by John Thein. (St. Louis, Mo., B. Herder, 1901). Part 4 of 4. Concerns the Bible and scientific theories. With Imprimatur. Available on Internet Archive.
  • The Bible and the Rule of Faith, by Abbe Louis Nazaire Bégin, translated by G.M. Ward (London, Burns and Oates; Quebec: John Barrow, 1875). With Imprimatur. Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • The Canon of Scripture and Salvation: The Bible came out of the Catholic (Universal) Church and so does Salvation [Tract], by Frederick P. Pogorzelski. Available in PDF and DOC format and may be read online at Catholic Evangelism.
  • Christian Apologetics: A Defense of the Catholic Faith, by Walter Devivier, edited by Sebastian Gebhard Messmer (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, [c1903]). With Imprimatur. Available at Open Library and Internet Archive; with selected excerpts available at Catholic Tradition.
  • Christian Apologetics: A Rational Exposition and Defense of the Catholic Religion, in 2 volumes, by the Rev. Walter Devivier, S.J., translated from the original French, edited and augmented by the Rev. Joseph C. Sasia, S.J. (New York: Joseph F. Wagner; London: B. Herder, 1924). With Imprimatur and the approbation of the Holy See. The 2 volumes are available at HathiTrust and at Internet Archive: Volume 1 and Volume 2.
  • The Complete Bible: Why Catholics Have Seven More Books [Tract]. Available in PDF format on this page of Catholic United for the Faith.
  • Concerning the Bible: its use and abuse, John Stephen Vaughan (+1925) (London : R. & T. Washbourne; New York: Benziger, 1904). With Imprimatur. Available at Open Library and Internet Archive (Digitizing sponsor: MSN, Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).
  • Instruction Concerning the Historical Truth of the Gospels, by the Pontifical Biblical Commission (April 21, 1964). English Translation by Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J., Theological Studies 25 (1964) 402-408. May be read at Catholic Resources.org. Preceded by his analysis, “The Biblical Commission’s Instruction on the Historical Truth of the Gospels”, Theological Studies 25 (1964) 386-408. [N.B., The Instruction is relevant in assessing historical-critical method, whose analytical methodology is distinguished from the philosophical assumptions that often accompany it. Note, however, that the analysis by Father Fitzmyer may have an overly permissive opinion on the freedom of theologians.]
  • Living Tradition: Organ of the Roman Theological Forum, no. 59 (July 1995). Contains “The Truth and Salvific Purpose of Sacred Scripture According to Dei Verbum, Article 11”, by Brian W. Harrison. Available at the Roman Theological Forum.
  • Origin of the Holy Scriptures: Their Progress, Transmission, Corruptions, and True Character, 2nd edition (London: Burns & Lambert; Dublin, London. Derby: Richardson & Son; Edinburgh: J. Miller, 1864). Available in various formats (pdf, epub, kindle/mobi, etc.) at Internet Archive. What appears to be the first edition,The Holy Scriptures: Their Origin, Progress, Transmission, Corruptions, and True Character (London: Charles Dolman, 1850), is also available at Internet Archive.
  • Quick Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura, by Dave Armstrong. Available in PDF, Kindle and EPUB formats at Internet Archive (Creative Commons license: Public Domain Mark 1.0) and may be read on Catholic Online. NB, The Internet Archive text appears to be compiled from essays by Dave Armstrong, beginning with this page, which were published at This Rock magazine.
  • To Tell You the Whole Truth about the Catholic Church and the Bible, by Fr. John Noone, Douglas McNair, Zachary Grimes, Richard Marchand, Rita Tucei, Ronald Young, Dorothy Ducote (1996, updated 2000, web version created 2001, PDF version created 2002). [N.B. This 80-page booklet provides “a bird’s eye view of the history of the Church and the Bible, with short answers to a few common questions.”] Available at the website of the Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
  • Where We Got the Bible: Our Debt to the Catholic Church, by the Right Rev. Henry G. Graham. With Imprimatur. A printed edition (Charlotte, NC: TAN Books, 2004) may be purchased on this page of TAN Books, at Barnes & Noble, and at Amazon.com. An ebook edition that includes Bishop Graham’s conversion story, From the Kirk to the Catholic Church (El Cajon, California: Catholic Answers, 1997) may purchased at Logos. [Note: Earlier links to online copies were DELETED DUE TO COPYRIGHT CONCERNS. See this page for further details.]

2 thoughts on “Bibles and Commentaries”

  1. Dim Bulb said:

    Dom Henry Wansbrough has a number of online bible study booklets I didn’t see listed here. http://users.ox.ac.uk/~sben0056/booklets.htm

    Reply

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