The Gospel Begins in Genesis
Follow the foundations of creation, sin, promise, faith, covenant, and redemption from the beginning of Scripture.
Start in GenesisThe Common Man's Commentary
Study the Bible in Its Hebrew and Historical Context
Explore free verse-by-verse studies from Genesis through the New Testament. Understand the promises of Scripture, the life of Jesus the Messiah, and the Jewish world in which the gospel was first proclaimed.
More than 300 chapter-by-chapter Bible studies, with more studies being added.
Start with a guided path
Choose Your Bible Study Journey
These study paths use Bible-book and chapter pages already available on this website. Choose one path, read at your own pace, and let Scripture lead you deeper into the gospel story.
Passover, Covenant, and Deliverance
Explore Exodus and see God’s deliverance, covenant relationship, worship, instruction, and faithfulness to His people.
Study ExodusMessiah in the Prophets
Study Isaiah and discover promises of hope, redemption, restoration, and the suffering servant.
Study IsaiahThe First Followers of Jesus
Read Acts and examine the early believers as the gospel moved from Jerusalem to the nations.
Study ActsFree Bible study library
Explore the Common Man's Commentary
The Common Man’s Commentary is a growing collection of Bible studies designed to help people read Scripture carefully, understand its message, and apply God’s Word to daily life.
Begin with a Bible book below, select a chapter, read the passage and commentary, and use the study paths to trace major themes throughout Scripture.
Featured starting points
Study the Bible in contextOld Testament Bible Studies
Torah
Genesis
Creation, covenant, faith, promise, and the beginning of God’s redemptive story.
Study GenesisTorah
Exodus
Deliverance, Passover, covenant, worship, instruction, and God’s presence.
Study ExodusTorah
Deuteronomy
God’s covenant teaching, remembrance, obedience, blessing, and life with Him.
Study DeuteronomyHistory
1 Samuel
Faith, leadership, the kingdom, and God’s work among His people.
Study 1 SamuelHistory
1 Kings
Kingdom, worship, leadership, faithfulness, and the consequences of compromise.
Study 1 KingsHistory
Ezra
Return, restoration, worship, repentance, and rebuilding the people of God.
Study EzraHistory
Esther
God’s providence, courage, deliverance, and faithfulness in difficult times.
Study EstherWisdom
Job
Suffering, faith, endurance, wisdom, and trusting God in life’s hardest questions.
Study JobWisdom
Ecclesiastes
Meaning, time, work, mortality, wisdom, and the fear of God.
Study EcclesiastesMajor Prophet
Isaiah
Holiness, judgment, hope, redemption, Messiah, and restoration.
Study IsaiahMajor Prophet
Jeremiah
God’s call to repentance, judgment, hope, and the promise of a new covenant.
Study JeremiahMajor Prophet
Ezekiel
God’s glory, holiness, judgment, restoration, and a renewed people.
Study EzekielMajor Prophet
Daniel
Faithfulness in exile, God’s kingdom, prophecy, and courage under pressure.
Study DanielMinor Prophet
Hosea
Covenant love, mercy, unfaithfulness, repentance, and restoration.
Study HoseaMinor Prophet
Amos
Justice, righteousness, worship, warning, and God’s call to His people.
Study AmosMinor Prophet
Habakkuk
Faith in troubling times, honest prayer, justice, and trusting God.
Study HabakkukMinor Prophet
Haggai
Renewed worship, God’s presence, obedience, and rebuilding what matters.
Study HaggaiNew Testament Bible Studies
History
Acts
The early believers, the Holy Spirit, mission, and the gospel from Jerusalem to the nations.
Study ActsPaul's Letters
1 Corinthians
Church life, spiritual gifts, holiness, love, resurrection, and faithful living.
Study 1 CorinthiansPaul's Letters
2 Corinthians
Ministry, weakness, grace, comfort, reconciliation, and serving Christ faithfully.
Study 2 CorinthiansPaul's Letters
Galatians
Grace, faith, promise, freedom, the Spirit, and life in Christ.
Study GalatiansPaul's Letters
Ephesians
Grace, unity, identity in Christ, spiritual maturity, and the armor of God.
Study EphesiansPaul's Letters
Colossians
The supremacy of Christ, faithfulness, wisdom, and living a renewed life.
Study ColossiansPaul's Letters
1 Thessalonians
Faith, hope, love, holiness, encouragement, and the return of the Lord.
Study 1 ThessaloniansPaul's Letters
2 Thessalonians
Perseverance, hope, faithful work, and confidence in God’s justice.
Study 2 ThessaloniansPaul's Letters
1 Timothy
Sound teaching, church leadership, godliness, prayer, and faithful ministry.
Study 1 TimothyPaul's Letters
2 Timothy
Endurance, Scripture, discipleship, faithful service, and finishing well.
Study 2 TimothyGeneral Letters
Hebrews
Jesus the Messiah, priesthood, sacrifice, covenant, faith, and perseverance.
Study HebrewsGeneral Letters
James
Living faith, wisdom, practical righteousness, speech, prayer, and endurance.
Study JamesGeneral Letters
1 Peter
Hope, holiness, suffering, identity, service, and standing firm in grace.
Study 1 PeterGeneral Letters
2 Peter
Growth, truth, discernment, faithful living, and the certainty of God’s promises.
Study 2 PeterGeneral Letters
1 John
Assurance, love, truth, obedience, fellowship, and walking in the light.
Study 1 JohnGeneral Letters
2 John
Truth, love, faithfulness, and remaining in the teaching of Christ.
Study 2 JohnGeneral Letters
3 John
Faithful service, hospitality, truth, leadership, and supporting God’s work.
Study 3 JohnStudy key passages
Featured Chapters for Understanding the Gospel
These existing studies create a simple pathway through promise, covenant, Passover, prophecy, grace, the early church, and the New Covenant.
Promise and faith
Genesis 15
Explore God’s covenant promise to Abram and the relationship between faith and righteousness.
Read Genesis 15Passover and redemption
Exodus 12
Study Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the Passover account, a central foundation for biblical redemption.
Read Exodus 12Messiah in prophecy
Isaiah 53
Read this significant passage concerning the suffering servant, healing, sacrifice, and redemption.
Read Isaiah 53Grace and promise
Galatians 3
Explore Paul’s teaching on faith, promise, the law, and the blessing of Abraham for those in Christ.
Read Galatians 3Early believers
Acts 15
Study the Jerusalem Council and the early church’s response to questions concerning Jewish and Gentile believers.
Read Acts 15The New Covenant
Hebrews 8
Study Jesus as high priest and explore the New Covenant promises rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Read Hebrews 8A simple way to study
Read the Passage, Study the Context, Follow Messiah
Begin with the biblical text. Read the chapter, consider its place in the larger story of Scripture, and use the commentary to explore its historical setting, Hebrew foundations, and practical message for life today.
- Choose a Bible book or follow one of the guided study paths.
- Read each chapter carefully before moving to the commentary.
- Compare connected passages across the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament.
- Use the student workbooks and teacher guides when you want a more structured study.
Continue your study
Bible Study Student Workbooks and Teacher Guides
Continue beyond the online study pages with Bible-study student workbooks and teacher guides by Rabbi Rich. These books support personal study, family discipleship, small groups, classes, and Bible teachers.
- Use free online Bible studies as your starting point.
- Go deeper through structured student workbooks.
- Prepare to teach others with companion teacher guides.
Begin today
Open the Bible and Begin the Journey
Start in Genesis, explore the Hebrew Scriptures, follow the early believers in Acts, and grow in your understanding of Jesus the Messiah through verse-by-verse study.