Vanity: What is a good study Bible?

4.30.20 | me

[spacejunkie2001]

I'm looking for recommendations from those of you who are seasoned in studying the Bible. If you use a specific study Bible, which do you like?

I've used Homan and Life Application. Both are good. I also have e Sword which is a good study tool.

[Mr Rogers]

I’ll recommend these websites:

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/

https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb.html

[fatboy]

I have about 30 study Bibles in my collection. If you look hard enough you will find a study Bible geared towards just about every interest you can think of. I will say that I’m not an expert in any way on this topic but will share what I know.

My favorite is the MacArthur SB. A very close 2nd is the Old 1985 edition of the NIV SB. Worth looking for is The Believers Study Bible which is also called The Baptist SB or the Crisswell SB. They are the same just different editions but all are out of print.

The Ryrie is good (and he is not a strict Calvinist), the up to date Scofield, The Nelson NKJ SB and the NKJ SB (by Nelson) are all good.

I don’t have a SB that I don’t like but I like a SB that is conservative and more theological. SBs like the Life Application and the Charles Stanley are more general in nature.

The ESV and the Reformation SB are really for those who are deep into reformed/ A-Mil theology. So if that is your interest then consider them.

Having said all this and keeping in mind that I have a large number of study Bibles, I generally don’t use them. Like you OP, I prefer the NKJV, I study from a Holman reference Bible. I also have a large collection of commentaries and while I use them I try to limit their use. As another poster implied, an exhaustive concordance is a valuable tool. I will add to that a good Bible Dictionary, a good Topical Bible and The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Force yourself to pick up your Bible every single day and read something, even if it’s only one verse. It is the days I literally make myself read, those seem to be the days I actually learn something about our wonderful Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

[caww]

I have a separate ‘Strong's Concordance’ hardback. Have used it for years...it's a great reference! Had t get it separate because I got annoyed having to flip back and forth in my Bible.

I do have to say that it's highly rewarding reading the Bible itself, stand alone style. God's Spirit has the most amazing ways to let the word interpret itself.

[Songcraft]

Then you have the "Cool & Chilly" translation:

     "For many are cold, but few are frozen."

[smvoice]

Amen. I would also say that 2 Timothy 2:15 is crucial to understanding God’s word.
God, through Paul, tells us HOW He wants us to study His word if we want to be approved unto Him, and not be ashamed as a WORKMAN for Him. It’s the only Scripture that does this.

[Flaming Conservative]

That’s true.

[caww]

Well I’ll disagree because God will use translations of varying sorts to teach and use by His Spirit...after all He is the author.

Though the King James/Authorized version is beautiful to read, which I enjoy very much, it doesn’t always meet the vocabulary requirements of todays language......Joseph’s ‘gay’ coat would certainly mislead some.

[ladyL]

Anyone familiar with the Dakes Bible will get a chuckle out of this. Dake’s grandson had an office next to mine here in Nashville and he said his Grandfather would drive his Grandmother crazy with a million little notes stuck all over their home. LOL!

[caww]

I have the complete set of ‘ William Barclay’s’ (revised edition) Bible Commentary Study Series and actually find it enjoyable casual reading outside of just reference for study.

Before I retired I took a book to work for lunch break!

[Trot]

Online Bible is another pretty useful sotfware program, but after a few revisions, you may have to buy the latest one to get some of the features that used to be free.

As for commentaries, dictionaries, etc, there are gobs of free classic works from conservative authors on archive.org.

[caww]

Haley’s was also another ‘firsts’ I used for along with Strongs.

[smvoice]

I can believe that! There are some things I do not agree with him but there are also some fascinating tidbits of information from him! The key is to have a good solid base in the things you believe and why.

[caww]

I use on line sources to complement my hands on BiBle. There's just something about having His word ‘in my hands’ I can't explain...I get far more depth somehow then when reading it on line....more personal I think.

[caww]

That's how I am with “Barclay's” Commentary....don't always agree but also very interesting takes and thought inspiring reading. I think when you have a broad understanding of the scriptures (as stand alone) then you're well equipped to identify when a commentary or reference doesn't sit just right as well, which in further investigation in His word His Spirit clarifies the truth .....

[Biblical Calvinist]

I agree with Gamecock.. THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is one of the BEST Study Bibles I’ve yet seen.

THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is somewhat modeled after THE GENEVA BIBLE, published in 1599..This is the first Bible to use study notes. Geneva was also the first English Bible to use chapter divisions as well. Frankly..it was translated so that the common lay Christian in the streets could understand it when reading it.. Again, while The Geneva Bible was first published in 1599..it became far more popular than the 1611 King James Bible..and remained so for 100 years after King James was first published.

THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is available in the ESV version, or THE NEW KING JAMES version..

Frankly, in my own opinion, for what it’s worth; THE REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE is very like attending a good Bible College. The study notes are edited by Dr. R. C. Sproul, it’s full of good, solid information regarding every book in the Bible..PLUS it also contains all of the Reformed Creeds and Confessions.

Here’s the link to Dr. Sproul’s LIGONIER ministries where this wonderful Study Bible can be ordered.~ https://www.ligonier.org/store/the-reformation-study-bible-esv-hardcover-crimson/

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

NASB, also the Net.Bible

[redfog]

I like The Lutheran Study Bible (ESV) from Concordia Publishing House (LC-MS).

[philman_36]

Dake's. "Some" don't like it. I don't care what "some" think.

It's hard to beat the cross referencing.

[Spirochete]

I am mistaken; my humble apologies.

The verse I had in mind is Matthew 20:16, *not* 22:14.
I thought I was being gaslighted.

Matt 20:16

KJV: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen
NKJV: So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
GEN1599: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called but few chosen.

NASB: So the last shall be first, and the first last.
NIV1984: So the last will be first, and the first will be last.
ESV: So the last will be first, and the first last.

[Falconspeed]

Excellent question. I have a beautiful 1950 Challoner Rheims Bible that I read once a month. Too big and bulky for study. In the past I used New American Standard and reject it (too stale) and the Oxford Bible and accept it (fresh).

I use Bible Hub every day. Really is an amazing site. Just think of all the Bible scholars in history who wished they had a Bible Hub.
https://biblehub.com/

I know a scholar in Berkeley who speaks ten languages and complains when I don’t read the OT in Hebrew, the NT in Greek and the Church Fathers in Latin. Oh well. I can beat him in ping pong.