What is a Study Bible?
A study Bible includes the text of a translation, and usually has the following features:
- Cross references (which help us find similar passages or parallel verses)
- Notes (to understand the meaning or context)
- Maps (so we can see where different events happened)
- Charts (to piece together the overall picture)
- Essays (often on the background to books, or on a historical time frame, such as the time between the testaments)
- Index/Concordance (to help us locate passages on a subject, or verses we know but can't find)
- More recently, they include online access to an electronic version.
These tools are so useful. One thing I suggest is that when you buy a Study Bible, get the "personal size" rather than the full size. The full size ones are heavy, and not easily taken to Bible studies or worship services. Sometimes this means you lose some content (the NLT Study Bible being an exception to this) but overall it's worth it. When I was talking with Mormon missionaries I used a full sized study Bible, which was bulky and not so easy to use. On the ESV Study Bible website, they note that someone joked about a tornado coming - "take cover under your ESV Study Bible"! Trust me, this is a valid point! You want a Bible you can hold and use, rather than one you need a desk for!
Because of the useful features, I think every Christian should own at least one Study Bible.
Which Study Bible should I get?
I have 5 study Bibles at the moment, so I thought I would review each, plus the Life Application Study Bible (which I gave away a few years ago). They all have advantages and disadvantages, but it's worth having a couple - for reasons that will become clear below.
Life Application Study Bible
The Life Application Study Bible is available in every major translation (NIV, NLT, NASB, NKJV etc). The notes focus on how to apply the Bible in daily life. I really love some of the essays, but for serious study I wouldn't recommend it. This is ideal for new Christians though. The notes are generally Evangelical and like the NIV Study Bible (see below) avoid controversial issues. One thing I find odd is the Bible text is a single column format, which is only strange because I am used to double columns!
NIV Study Bible
I love the NIV Study Bible. It has all the standard features of a Study Bible, but one or two drawbacks as well. On the positive side, the notes provide lots of historical and archaeological background, there's lots of colour, maps - it's visually appealing. On a negative note, some notes avoid controversial issues and certainly tow the line on many complex issues. For example, can you lose your salvation? All the verses which suggest you can are either ignored, or glossed over. For me, the fact that Christians can, and do, disagree on these areas should be acknowledged and discussed.
If you are a devotee of the NIV (which by all accounts is an excellent translation) then this may be a useful addition to your library.
Fire Study Bible
The Fire Study Bible also uses the NIV, but it's a Pentecostal Study Bible. While the NIV Study Bible is decidedly Evangelical, it's nice to see a Pentecostal Study Bible. The notes focus on practical application and on the Holy Spirit, and there is a good deal of historical background too. I've not used this too much yet, so it's too early to recommend - but so far it's been useful. Most Study Bibles gloss over the Holy Spirit, so it's nice to have this one for a different "angle".
Chronological Life Application Study Bible
This is a version of the Life Application Study Bible series which uses the NLT. The notes therefore have the same limitations as the standard Life Application Study Bible. One drawback is that the Chronological Life Application Study Bible doesn't have the essays in the standard Life Application Study Bible. There is also the problem of finding a verse! Because the Biblical text is not in the order we're used to, it's hard to locate verses. So it's useless to take to Church or Bible Study groups.
What I love about the Chronological Life Application Study Bible is that the Bible text is arranged in chronological order. This means when you read through the Bible - especially the New Testament - you get a whole new perspective. When you see how events unfold, some other things make more sense. One other thing I love is that it's in full colour, uses photos and colour illustrations. This makes it visually pleasing!
NLT Study Bible
The NLT Study Bible has an Evangelical focus, but unlike the NIV Study Bible, the NLT Study Bible doesn't avoid controversy. The notes acknowledge where Christians disagree (sadly, not on the homosexuality issue though) and explain each view. Sadly it isn't in colour so it looks a bit dated compared with others.
The NLT Study Bible seems to attempt to find a middle way between application and background which is great. As I mentioned, a major "plus" of the personal sized edition is that it doesn't lose any of the content in the size reduction.
ESV Study Bible (Personal Size)
This is my newest addition, and so far I like it. I've never used the ESV before, but as I am trying to get into more serious study, I value the literal translation of the ESV but wouldn't use it day to day. It also uses colour maps which is visually appealing, however it has that single column format again. Picky? Maybe.
The ESV itself is a highly regarded translation, and the notes seem to be a balance of application and background. The essays are informative as well. Unfortunately the personal size does lose content you find in the full sized version. It would also have befitted from having a Bible reading plan.
The feel of the ESV Study Bible is quite academic, but that suits me well. So far I like it, and could see myself investing in a better quality version - I only bought the paperback. If I use it as much as I think I will, I will invest in a hardback version as this will be more durable.
UPDATE - I ordered a good quality ESV Study Bible, I use it as a reference Bible for study.
The New Spirit Filled Life Bible (NLT)
This is my newest study Bible and I am really enjoying it. The notes are very helpful, it has a good cross referencing system and helps understanding of key Greek and Hebrew words. The notes are written from a charismatic perspective, which helps me a lot as this is a new adventure with God for me. There are also some excellent articles on the Holy Spirit, evangelism, book introductions and so on.
UPDATE - I ordered a good quality ESV Study Bible, I use it as a reference Bible for study.
The New Spirit Filled Life Bible (NLT)
This is my newest study Bible and I am really enjoying it. The notes are very helpful, it has a good cross referencing system and helps understanding of key Greek and Hebrew words. The notes are written from a charismatic perspective, which helps me a lot as this is a new adventure with God for me. There are also some excellent articles on the Holy Spirit, evangelism, book introductions and so on.
Which one should I get?
As someone once quipped - get the one you will read most! I would suggest having a couple of Study Bibles. I will continue using the NIV and NLT Study Bible as I love the translation itself and the study features are well balanced. I can already see the ESV Study Bible becoming my second Bible to consult, so I would also recommend it.
If you are a new Christian, get a feel for a translation you like, and get the Life Application Study Bible in that translation.
I hope this helps - and feel free to share any others you may have!
Images: Google Images, except New Spirit Filled Life Bible which is from wesleyowen.com
Images: Google Images, except New Spirit Filled Life Bible which is from wesleyowen.com
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