Five Study Bibles You Should Own... (or at least two)

When I was growing up I remember asking for a Bible for a gift two different times.  The first time was when I was ten or eleven.  I heard a guest preacher at our church say, "If you don't own a Scofield Reference Bible, you should sell your shoes and get one." Although I didn't sell my shoes, I figured that I ought to have one.  So I requested a Scofield Reference Bible for Christmas or for my birthday (I don't remember which one) and I got one. I soon realized that the study notes didn't make much sense to me, but I carried it to church for years!

The other Bible that I asked for growing up was when I was in eighth grade.  I remember my Bible teacher (Mr. Currie) reading Scripture to us every day. And I remember thinking that it was SO easy to understand. Eventually, I figured out he wasn't reading from the King James Version (the one that EVERYONE used in my church and school).  I found out it was a recent translation (at the time) called the New International Version.  I went home and asked for one for Christmas.  My parents asked our pastor if the NIV was a good translation. He said it was - so they got me one for Christmas.

I still have that Scofield Reference Bible (although I haven't used it in decades).  I also have that original NIV that my parents bought for me.

A few weeks ago, I began thinking - what Bibles do I wish every person in our church had?  When it comes to Study Bibles - I have five that I recommend for every person to eventually own and use.  I use these regularly and they really have helped me know the Bible better and explain it better to others.

Could I encourage you to consider purchasing a couple of them, or even asking for one a year for your birthday or Christmas?  In five years, you will have access to five GREAT Study Bibles.  Here they are - I'll put them in reverse order of my personal preference...

STUDY BIBLE #5: The Archaeological Study Bible

This is a great Bible that gives confidence of how the Bible's authenticity has been verified hundreds of times over.  It is really interesting too, and it will make some passages "come to life."  This is especially helpful for those that really enjoy history.  I've used this Study Bible quite a bit in my preparation for my current series, "Life Lessons from Dead Kings."

STUDY BIBLE #4: The MacArthur Study Bible

What is best about this Bible is that theologically, there would never be a disagreement I would have with it. It will not steer you wrong. However, sometimes I am surprised at difficult passages that the Bible doesn't talk about.  I would also recommend that you purchase this in NASB rather than NKJV (but if you are a fan of the NKJV - get that one).

STUDY BIBLE #3: NIV Life Application Bible

This is the newest edition to my Study Bible collection.  Scott has been getting into the hands of new believers for YEARS! It is heaviest of the five on application, and the lightest on information.  BUT - most of us need to apply the Bible more than we need new information ABOUT the Bible.  So - I highly recommend it.

STUDY BIBLE #2: ESV Study Bible

There isn't anything bad I can say about this study Bible.  I LOVE it.  It is the biggest of the five Study Bibles I'm talking about here, and has the most notes (by far).  It is an amazing new Study Bible that only came out a couple of years ago.  You will REALLY enjoy this Bible!!

STUDY BIBLE #1: NIV Study Bible

I have had my NIV Study Bible since college, and no Study Bible has ever replaced it in my mind.  I think it is a great balance of information and application.  It also seemed to answer the questions that come to my mind when I read better than the others (ESV Study Bible comes close).  The disadvantage of this Study Bible is that it wants as wide of an audience as possible and so it offers options on interpretation that I wouldn't offer (issues such as eschatology, doctrines of Grace, etc...).  So if you get this - you have to be careful with some of the notes (remember, they aren't inspired - just the Bible is)! But the benefits far outweigh the omissions on this Study Bible.  My NIV Study Bible is falling apart, but I just can't part with it - because it has so many of my handwritten notes inside (since I was 19)!!

So - which one interests you the most?  Do you have a Study Bible that you love that I haven't mentioned? I'd love to hear about it too.

Comments

[Kat Cooke]

I have a parallel Bible that I just got last year for Christmas, and I love it. It's not so much a study Bible, as far as notes and that, but it has four different translations side by side - KVJ, Amplified (my personal preference), NAS, and NIV. I'm a lover of languages, so reading the different translations is always enjoyable, from the literal-ness (word-lovers get to make up new words, right?) of KJV to the modern-day vernacular of NIV...

ESV has really good reviews from WORLD magazine, but I've not yet checked it out. Maybe that will be for this Christmas?

[David Whiting]

I love the ESV. Awesome translation!!

[Sharon Malone]

I agree with David - I love the ESV translation but I have yet to own the Study Bible. My next purchase is going to be the newly published Renovare Spiritual Formation Bilbe called the Life With God Bible that just came out in July. However, for personal study I love my International Inductive Study Bible from Precepts in the NASB. Kat, I too love my Amplified Bible; my personal favorite since college days (over 40 yrs ago)

[Josh C]

David,
I enjoyed this blog and have always wanted an Archaeological study Bible. I think this might be the thing that convinces me to go get one.

It was good seeing you and your family. We are always so impressed with your girls.

Josh

[David Whiting]

We enjoyed seeing you guys too. We will be praying through the remainder of the pregnancy and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

[TTlai van]

Dear Sir
I am very nervous about what you said. If the scofield bible didn't make much sense in your life - I think you are just a new christian.

[Dave A]

Thanks for the suggestions on Study Bibles. I have three of the five. I will look into getting the two I don't have.

I have in my possession Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principles Bible (NKJV). It is very heavy on application and I think it is a great tool to have. I believe it is available in the NIV.

[Sarah Matousek]

Alexi (asked for) and received the Archeological study bible for Christmas this year out of interest from our trip to Jordan and we LOVE it. We wondered if you were using it for the current sermon series because we already knew some of the facts you mentioned from that bible.

I notice you use several different translations. Having grown up NIV I rarely vary from it, but would you recommend reading different translations as regular practice?

[David Whiting]

TTlai -
I was only ten or eleven - so I guess I was a young Christian. Although I'm not sure I would judge someone's spiritual maturity based on their ability to understand the Study notes from a particular Study Bible.

[David Whiting]

Sarah -

I plan on a future post about Bible translations, but I would encourage someone to use at least two translations - especially if they are closely studying a passage.

My recommendation would be (in this order):
* NIV
* ESV
* NASB
* NLT (not a favorite among our circles, but I really like it)
* NKJV

I have the MacArthur Study Bible in NASB simply because they haven't produced it in an NIV. The ESV Study Bible's notes only go with the ESV. So that is why I use three different translations in Study Bibles. Normally, for a Study Bible - I prefer the NIV (as that is what I teach and preach from).

I trust all is well. We miss you guys!

[Marcia Fedyk]

I've had the NIV Study Bible since the early 1980's and it still works for me but when I do my reading in the morning I use two different Bibles just so I get more understanding and I go back and forth between he two.

[Jordan Hydro]

You are collaborating with some Huge name. This stuff is very impressive.