Commentaries

Sometimes we don't rely on a simple reading of the biblical text -- maybe because we don't trust we can understand on our own (consider the Ethiopian in Acts 8:30-31). We read a little from the word of God and then run off to a commentary to tell us what is said. 

Recent studies in Hebrews and the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) have caused me to pause from running over to my office bookshelf (it's about two steps from my office chair) to see what is being said. 

I think sometimes I'm looking for an "accomplice" to tell me what I'm already thinking (!)