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GUIDE: Favorite English Study Bibles12 min read

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I am not much of a collector, but I do like to keep up on innovative and useful study Bibles. I review them online quite a bit, and have probably purchased more than a dozen. Here are my favorites.

Last Updated: 8.18.2024

A. Recommended Study Bibles

  1. CSB Rainbow Study Bible: I was given this as a gift, and though I did not initially like the fact that the entire bible is highlighted in one of 12 colors, pigeon holing it into a topic like Evil, Sin, Love, Commandment etc. Also, there are no explanatory notes like most Study Bibles, nor maps. It does have some now antiquated features such as a concordance, weights and measures, and a few other trivialities. HOWEVER, in my meditation time using the Lectio Divina method (see the Lection Divina Bible Study Journal I have recently published!), having the various verses highlighted by subject helps me choose groups of verses to meditate on together, which turns out to be a great help.
  2. CSB Apologetics Study Bible: There is a student version of this Bible, but the notes in this volume are better and unique in that they provide good introductory articles to serious apologetic topics, including the basic philosophical arguments for God such as the cosmological, ontological, moral, and teleological arguments. Probably my favorite study bible, and my favorite to give to my thinking friends and atheists. I like having a unique study bible in each of my favorite translations, this is my favorite CSB study bible. CSB is my replacement for the ESV, which I don’t enjoy reading, even though they often have superior translation (compare Ephesians 3:2 in other translations and you’ll see how ESV translates the same word sarx, used twice in the same verse as both body and fallen nature based on context – brilliantly done. Maybe I can find a unique ESV study bible.
  3. NASB95 MacArthur Study Bible: Despite my misgivings about the stern and sometimes narrow approach of “Johnny Mac,” such as his rejection of the charismata, his commentary on most scriptures is exact and to the point. Hard to oversell this, MacArthur is one of the best living expositors of scripture. Interestingly, when I was studying Islam, I realized that Muslims put the Koran on the top shelf of any bookcase as a sign of respect. In order to welcome my Muslim friends (sadly few), I have my annotated Koran on the top shelf, but I have this study bible right next to it, to also communicate that I honor the word of God equally (or more).
  4. NKJV Unapologetic Study Bible: This Bible is surprisingly good, and deserves wider popularity – not only does it have more than 200 excellent apologetics articles, it includes over 70 short history articles with excerpts from great Christian thinkers of the past, something missing from most study bibles. It is also relatively compact, especially as compared to the NLT Illustrated Bible below. Also nicely organized and visually appealing charts and tables, not overly adorned, and easy to understand. This is my favorite NKJV Study Bible. Intelligent and relevant content, aimed at more intellectual and mature believers.
  5. NLT Illustrated Study Bible: The fattest bible I own, coming in at about 3 inches deep (really good for thumping people with), it is filled with beautiful notes and illustrations. This is my wife’s favorite Bible. Note that it is not called a study bible. I think the label illustrated indicates that is it more than a study bible of mere notes, but rather also includes copious photos and illustrations. It’s a serious effort, and pretty much an all-in-one source for Bible Study. Just don’t drop it, you might break whatever it lands on!
  6. NRSV Life With God Bible (formerly Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible): I enjoy this Bible for a couple reasons – first, it’s my only NRSV, a worthy translation. Second, it contains the apocrypha, being a “Catholic” bible. Third, its study notes are geared towards personal renewal of faith, edited by Richard J. Foster (Celebration of Discipline) and with contributions from other spiritual formation giants such as Dallas Willard (Hearing God), Walter Bruggeman (Praying the Psalms), and Eugene Peterson (Run with the Horses). This volume is really geared towards developing the deep inner life with God.

B. Good or Niche Study Bibles

  1. CSB Worldview Study Bible: If you want to know what the scriptures teach about all of life, such as relationships, civil government, the nature of man, or economics, then you are a world-view thinker. This Bible is geared to teach the basics of these topics and more. Scholarly and beautiful.
  2. TLB The Way Bible: Now out of print, you can still find copies in used book stores. Printed during the Jesus Movement of the late 60’s, it’s full of fun pictures of American hippie Christians, and is aimed at introducing them to Jesus. Really special.
  3. NASB Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: As a young Christian, I grew up on the sound teachings of Charles Stanley. Having his wisdom for life in the form of principles is awesome.
  4. NKJV Open Bible: This is a fairly average, pedestrian, and perhaps now dated study Bible, but it was my first Bible back in the 1980’s, and still has a place in my canon.
  5. NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible: As you may know, Biblical Theology is the study of doctrines across the Biblical timeline. This won’t help you as much as reading a book on Biblical Theology such as D.A. Carson’s All Things New.
  6. NLT Every Man’s Bible: Although this sounds like one of those watered-down niche study Bible’s, it actually has great content for men of all levels of faith and maturity, great gift. The notes are not just for beginners, and they ask more than the superficial questions.
  7. TNIV Books of the Bible: The TNIV translation was only published from 2005-2011, at which time it was discontinued. The main criticism which made it a complete failure among the intended audience was that, in attempting to use gender-inclusive language, they went too far and ended up changing the intended meanings of the text. This was just one of more than a dozen different problems with the translation. HOWEVER, it was super innovative in that it changed the ORDER of the books, especially of the New Testament, and combined many of the OT books (e.g. 1 Kings, 2 Kings) in sensible ways. You can read my full review, but I enjoyed the thinking a lot.

C. Study Bibles on my Radar

  1. CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible: The more I study, the more I want to read the Fathers of the faith. This Bible looks as though it pulls in the best of their writing.
  2. ESV Archaeology Study Bible: I should buy this for my mom, who loves archaeology, but suspects that aliens were here (damn you History Channel!) Some of  the best apologetics are archaeological.
  3. KJV Henry Morris Study Bible: Henry Morris is the father of modern creationism, and his insights on books of the Bible other than Genesis, such as his excellent treatment of Job (The Remarkable record of Job) may be worth the purchase.
  4. NET Full-Notes Edition: The NET translation is special in that it is NOT copyrighted, and initially existed only on the internet (hence New English Translation = NET), and has the most extensive translation notes around. The cool factor is high on this one.
  5. NKJV Evangelical Study Bible: This bible is on my radar particularly because it supports 24 hour creation days, so I suspect the notes will be more conservative.
  6. NKJV  Wiersbe Study Bible: Warren Wiersbe was one of the best Bible teachers of the previous century (late 1900’s). I have his short two volume commentary, it is excellent. I would love his notes nearby in a study bible.
  7. The Complete Jewish Study Bible: Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. Christianity is just the completion of Judaism, and we should know how the Jewish community and rabbi’s thought. ‘Nuff said.
  8. NKJV Jeremiah Study Bible: Another favorite of my wife, she loves the excellence of David Jeremiah’s expository teaching.
  9. NLT Swindoll Bible Study: Chuck Swindoll is one of the great Bible teachers of our time, up there with  the other Charleses (Smith and Stanley). Emphasizing the grace of God never gets old.
  10. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible was awarded the Christian Book Awards 2017 Bible of the Year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Understanding the original cultural context is crucial to good exegesis of scripture. This Bible may be excellent.
  11. NIV Ministry Essentials Bible: This just looks interesting, has guides for weddings, funerals, baptism, as well as dealing with social issues.

D. Not Favorite Study Bibles

Many of these I own, others I have looked at the format, features, and reviews of each and decided against them. YMMV.

  1. Thompson Chain Reference Bible: Chain reference may have been as innovative as Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance at the beginning of the previous century (c. 1900), but with modern technology, finding related verses or word definitions is as easy as a click in the excellent Blue Letter Bible app. I am not sure why anyone would prefer this format anymore.
  2. NASB New Inductive Study Bible: Not much inductive about it, the instructions are just OK. If you want to learn inductive Bible Study, try one of the LifeChange (highly recommended), LifeGuide (for groups), or Knowing the Bible inductive study books. They make one for each book of the Bible.
  3. NKJV Scoffield Study Bible III: The Scofield Bible played a crucial role in popularizing premillennial dispensationalism among American Protestants, particularly evangelicals. It significantly impacted 20th-century evangelical theology and eschatology in the United States, not only with it’s theology and notes, but with the innovation of chain references, which again, is a novelty from the early 1900’s. This new 3rd edition has minor usability updates and notes.
  4. NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition: I am an expatriate from the Charismatic Revivalist church, and so don’t prefer Holy Spirit-focused studies. However, This is a beautiful Bible aimed at Pentecostals and Charismatics, so you may like it.
  5. NIV Life Application Bible: This very popular study Bible, first published in the 1980’s, was initially known for refreshing the study bible genre, shifting focus to application instead of just understanding, and adding features like character bios, addition of color and modern desktop publishing UI design, and accessible commentary and topical articles. I’m not sure if it’s been kept up to date, but after millions of copies sold, perhaps they should not change the format.
  6. NLT Beyond Suffering Bible: Focused specifically on how to overcome suffering, edited and commented by Joni Tada, who is famous in Evangelical circles for surviving and thriving as a quadriplegic, her notes are comforting and helpful. However, the narrow focus for me is not helpful, and I do thank God that my sufferings are “light and momentary” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
  7. NKJV Comfort Print Ancient-Modern Bible: This bible has potential, but it’s a weird shape (nearly square), and the print, advertised as “comfort print,” is microscopic, so small it renders this Bible unpleasant, if not impossible to read.
  8. NKJV Chronological Study Bible: I thought a chronological bible might make sense of the Old Testament for me. In real life, I have never used it. Might be of some use, but not yet.
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