At the Better Bibles Blog* is an article that points out (and proves IMHO) the need for commentary in the form of footnotes in most Bible translations. This pretty much takes care of the argument that when we read the Bible, we don't need to think about the culture or anything else concerning the passage we're reading.
The only question raised in the article was not whether to have explanatory notes, but where to put them. Even so, there is little support for putting the commentary in the text as in a paraphrase or "amplified" translation, but instead to simply use footnotes where needed.
Some may think this is unnecessary for English speakers, but I think the multitude of (mis)interpretations flying around today says otherwise. We may not need as much commentary as, say, a culture that doesn't know what sheep are, but we do miss a lot. I've touched on some of that in my rants about women's issues and the practices of the early church.
Remember that commentaries are the opinions of fallible human beings. They are a person's (or group's) biased, imperfect, unbalanced, and subjective views. No matter how scholarly or respectable the authors of commentaries may be, never put them on a pedestal. The Holy Spirit sends out a perfect 'transmission', but all people are imperfect 'receivers'. Some pick up this part of the message, others that. So take commentaries for what they are: bits of truth with a lot of static. Only by putting many of them together can we get a more accurate picture of the Spirit's teachings.
The commentaries on this site are my own. I make no claims to being any kind of expert or to have any worldly credentials. I have never set foot in a seminary or even taken any correspondence courses. My only claim to anything resembling a credential is found in the account of Acts 4:13. I've "been with Jesus" for many years. What I write is what I hear and see, and both hearing and vision must come from God, not human wisdom. I endeavor to simply report, not making any claims to infallibility or perfection. I hope and pray that what I write is accurate and will prove useful, but I make no guarantees.
*Please note: The BBB is not connected in any way with this website. Please use careful discernment and remember that views expressed by site visitors are not necessarily the views of the site owners.