This commentary set was recommended during my seminary hermeneutics course. After purchasing a mixed selection of major scholarly commentaries, and a couple of more homiletically focused commentaries, the Expositor's Bible Commentary is quickly becoming the first source I go to for study and preparation.
The NT set does not come with the superb introductory volume that discusses scholarly topics, such as inerrancy, criticisms, hermeneutics and other topics by leading scholars in the field. This first volume in this 12 volume set is immensely valuable. But, the NT set does contain a detailed introduction specific for each of the 27 books. For instance, Matthew has a 60 page discussion on the introduction of the first Gospel that discusses Matthean-specific criticisms, history, authorship, date, purpose, themes (Christology, Law, Church, Eschatology and several others), genre and a detailed bibliography. Before moving to the text, an outline and set of maps rounds out the introduction. Each book has a similar introduction associated.
The text is based on the NIV, but those who are critical of the NIV should not necessarily be turned off by this, since the commentary relies more heavily on the Greek behind the text. For instance, in looking at the Great Commission, the crux of the discussion is on terminology that differs from the NIV. The text is taken in verse couplets and triplets based on contextual ties and complexity. Each section of text has a short title describing the theme, a brief discussion of the overall context, and then takes each verse in depth, discussing the key contextual, lexical and literary aspects. Greek is discussed, but the words are transliterated, making it accessible to those who have no Greek background. At the same time, the concepts discussed are deep enough to benefit scholars and exegetical preachers.
The only critique I have of this set is that it is twenty five years old. It could use some updating through addition of some topics that have cropped up in the last couple of decades. But, despite the commentary's age, it still deals with a wealth of topics that make it supremely valuable today. The theology expressed within is conservative in nature, but it does address other beliefs without being overly critical. Other sources that focus more on a topic are frequently cited for further study.
This commentary set can be of superior benefit to the budding student or the seasoned expositor, and is one of the few commentaries that can reach all levels of Christians while remaining very readable. This set gets my highest recommendation.