Study Bibles: A Survey of Eight
A Look at the HCSB Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, NIV Study
Bible, NKJV Study Bible, Reformation Study Bible,
MacArthur Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible, and the
Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible
I am often
asked to recommend a good study Bible, especially at this time of year when
people are shopping for Christmas. There are several good study Bibles in
publication right now. They all have strengths and each has its own approach
to emphasize certain things. None of them can do everything, as that
would require the volume be so large you would have to pull it around in a
wagon. The goal here is to tell you what each study Bible does best,
giving you the information, so you can determine which one best meets your
needs. Below is a quick overview of each study Bible and, then on the
pages that follow, you will find more detailed information on each study
Bible. Then, there is information on translations and information about bindings. There is
one chart attached (a comparison of features), and there are two charts below,
one with links to online
samples for each study Bible, and one showing various categories and
the study Bible(s) strongest in each category.
An Overview of Each Study Bible:
The Thompson Chain Reference Bible
Have you
ever wanted to read every verse from every place in the Bible that addressed a
particular topic? That is what the Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible
does. This study Bible is based on the idea that Scripture interprets
Scripture. It has 8,000 topics identified with numbers for each topic in the
margins. Then, you can look up that number and read all the verses on that
topic in the back. There are so many topics there is an index to the
topics to help you find what you are looking for. There is a concordance
and an archaeological supplement and other articles in the back, but the
topical arrangement of Scripture is the appeal of this study Bible. If
you are going to own two study Bibles this should be one of them—and if you are
going to own one, the Thompson’s is worthy of your consideration. Details
All the other study Bibles feature explanatory notes to
understand the biblical text on the bottom of each page, introductions to each
book of the Bible, a table of weights & measures, a short concordance, and
articles, essays, and other features, generally found in the back.
The first
four study Bibles discussed below are made for one translation of the Bible and
can be found in only that translation:
HCSB Study Bible
This is the
newest study Bible in print, released in October 2010. The biblical text
is in the Holman Christian Standard translation that appears in LifeWay Sunday
School lessons and which is used at First Baptist Church, Tallassee. As
you can see on Amazon’s
sample, the HCSB is, by far, the most colorful
study Bible. The chapter numbers are in brown, the verse numbers are in
light blue, and the alternate translation notes have a cream background. This makes it easy to more quickly find the
verses or notes one is looking for. Introductions to each book and brief
essays are printed on parchment-looking backgrounds. It has 141 color
photographs (a feature unique to the HCSB Study Bible) and the most beautiful
color maps of any study Bible! In addition to the maps in the back, there
are color maps that are occasionally placed throughout the biblical text,
called in-text maps. Content-wise, besides the usual explanatory
footnotes on the bottom of each page, they have included 290 boxes with word
studies based on the biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek. They include
numerous timelines to help you see where all the biblical events fit in history.
This study Bible is made by Holman, a division of LifeWay, but as seen from the
list of contributors found in Amazon’s
sample, it would be inaccurate to refer it as “the Southern Baptist
Bible.” Scholars from 17 denominations were involved in developing the
HCSB translation and the contributors to the study Bible were likewise
representative of the broader evangelical community. The HCSB has a web
site with its study notes and other resources: www.mystudybible.com. Only the HCSB and ESV Study Bibles have this
feature, though some offer digital versions that work with Bible software.
Details
ESV Study Bible
Biblical
text is in the English Standard Version. This Study Bible, with Wayne
Grudem (who wrote the most popular modern book on Systematic Theology
published) was much anticipated and released in 2008. The ESV Study Bible
has the most articles and essays of any study Bible. The essays on
doctrine and ethics are excellent. While not as colorful as the HCSB, it
has plenty of color (most study Bibles have only grayscale). They use a soft green for charts and
subject headings. There are some terrific illustrations (color pictures)
of the temple
complex, for example. The footnotes often contain what school
teachers call “graphic organizers” (like the one below from Galatians 4):
Contrasts
in Paul's Allegory (4:21–31)
|
slave
woman |
free
woman |
|
Ishmael |
Isaac |
|
according
to flesh |
through
promise |
|
Hagar |
Sarah |
|
slavery |
freedom |
|
present
Jerusalem |
Jerusalem
above |
|
persecuting |
persecuted |
In addition
to the maps in the back, there are frequent small, in-text maps as you go through
the biblical text; for example, in the Gospels to show the places Jesus
traveled. The 29-page Overview of
Bibblical Theology and the 25–page Overview
of Biblical Ethics are excellent and, though many articles in the back of
study Bibles are not used as often as the explanatory notes at the bottom of
the pages, these should prove to be helpful. The approach in the book
introductions and explanatory notes is broadly evangelical – that is, all
Bible-believing Christians and their distinctive perspectives are listed and
treated respectfully. As Tim Challies said in his review, “The matters at
the heart of the faith are described and defended while the matters of lesser
importance are presented charitably and non-dogmatically.” 1
This would be seen, for example, in the introduction
to the book of Revelation, where the various understandings of the Lord’s
return are listed and explained. The ESV also has a web site with its
study notes, illustrations, and maps at www.esvstudybible.org. Details
1 Tim Challies, www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-esv-study-bible-a-review
The NIV Study Bible by Zondervan
The New
International Version has been around since the 1970’s. This study Bible
was updated in 2008. The same translation team developed the study
notes as developed the translation, all conservative evangelicals. This
study Bible is somewhere in emphasis between the HCSB and the ESV Study Bibles,
with their emphasis on answering the question, “What does it mean?” and the
Life Application Bible with its focus on answering the question, “How does that
apply to me?” A unique feature in the NIV Study Bible is the use of
icons to label different kinds of explanatory notes—900 Character Profile
icons, almost 3,000 Personal Application icons, and 450 Archeology icons. You
can find the introductions and outlines for each book of the Bible that appear
in this study Bible at: http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/. Details
The NKJV Study Bible
In the very
beginning, this study Bible was called the Nelson Study Bible, then the NKV
Study Bible, and now, it is the NKJV Study Bible second edition (revised in
2008). It has a very attractive layout with blue headings and chapter
numbers. There is blue shading for cross references in the center column
of the page and for text boxes with word studies. While there is not a
NKJV Study Bible web site, you receive a CD with a digital version of this
study Bible with its notes. There is a wide array of useful information
in this study Bible. Appearing in text boxes throughout the biblical text
are: 350 Word Studies keyed to the Strong’s Concordance number (among those
surveyed here, a feature exclusive to this study Bible), 150 notes on Bible
times and culture, and 114 short articles on the key doctrines of
Scripture. There are also 80 in-text charts and graphic organizers. Details
The Reformation Study Bible
This study
Bible uses only the English Standard Version. Its general editor is R. C.
Sproul, noted Presbyterian professor, popular author, and the leader of
Ligonier Ministries (www.ligonier.org).
This study Bible has notes and short articles written by other leading
scholars such as J.I. Packer and Wayne
Grudem. As one can tell from the name, this study Bible comes from the
Reformed perspective, affirming the teachings emphasized during the Protestant
Reformation, including election and amillenialism. It is the most
theological in its emphasis, with such side bar articles as The Atonement,
Adoption, Perseverance of the Saints, and Election and
Reprobation. That is not to say application is absent; there are also
side bar articles on Marriage and Divorce, The Mission of the Church
in the World, and Christians and Civil Government. Each of
these 96 side bar articles are about a half-page. There are also the
explanatory notes on the bottom of the page. In the updated edition they
have added maps. Other than the color maps in the back, everything is in
grayscale. The print size looks to be 12 points – by far the most
readable typeface among the study Bibles discussed here. The Reformation
Bible is also the thinnest and lightest, making it easier to carry to church. Details
The
Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible, the Life Application Bible, and the MacArthur
Study Bible are available in more than one translation.
The Life Application Bible
This Study
Bible is less technical in its approach, at times a little oversimplified, but
a good study Bible for the Sunday School teacher preparing the application
section of the lesson. It’s a good entry level study Bible. In the
introductions to the books of the Bible you will find headings like Vital
Statistics, Key Verse, Key People, The Blueprint (outline), Chapter
Summary, and Megathemes with a chart layout showing an Explanation
and the Importance of each theme. Information is laid out so it
can be easily found. There are occasional graphic organizers. It
lives up to its name in emphasizing practical application; in the
biblical text you will find occasional text boxes with practical
application. This study Bible has over a hundred half-page character
summaries of people in the Bible with charts listing Strengths and
Accomplishments, Weaknesses and Mistakes, Lessons from his Life,
Vital Statistics (home, relatives, etc.), and Key Verses.
There are 16 pages of color maps and timelines in the back. Its in-text
maps are in grayscale. WordSearch has the study notes from this study
Bible available for use with their Bible software. Details
The MacArthur Study Bible
The general
editor of this study Bible is John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church and prolific author, whose sermons are heard on
Christian radio stations across the nation. Like other study Bibles this
one has articles on things like How We Got the Bible and How to Study
the Bible. There is a 60-page Topical Index and an Outline
of Systematic Theology. There are illustrations in grayscale. Though
every study Bible has them, the principal attraction of this Bible would be the
study notes at the bottom of each page, with 25,000. Though one can’t
always tell by merely counting them (if there is commentary on verses 6-7 in
one study Bible and another has two separate notes with as many words who
really has the most? That kind of thing.), it appears that this study
Bible has the most explanatory notes on the biblical text. The chapter
numbers appear in blue, there are blue lines above the text and between the
biblical text and explanatory notes, and the print is very readable at 8.7
points. Details
The Exact
Theological Perspective of the Study Bibles Will Vary
Though
all these study Bible affirm the essential teachings of the faith, they take
various approaches concerning those secondary issues upon which Bible-believing
Christians disagree. Some will dodge the issue on things like baptism.
Others tackle such subjects head-on. Here is an insightful
quote from Tim Challies (www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-esv-study-bible-a-review):
“To satisfy
my curiosity, I opened my NIV Study Bible, Reformation Study Bible,
MacArthur Study Bible and ESV Study Bible and compared their
notes on several areas of controversial theology—end times, predestination and
spiritual gifts. None of these Bibles offered notes that were unbiblical so I
was left looking for the differences in perspective. In general I found that
the MacArthur Study Bible offered the most defined position. This makes
good sense as it represents the position of a single individual. This was
followed by the Reformation Study Bible which offers the position of
many individuals but each of them drawn from a very consistent theological
position. The ESV Study Bible came next, offering a charitable but open
view on most of these issues. The NIV Study Bible seemed almost to shy
away from some of the issues. So while it is clear that the ESV Study Bible
is not distinctly Reformed in its position, neither is it Arminian. It is not
cessationist or continuationist and is neither amillennial nor premillennial.
In fact, it seems as if it emulates the parent who tells one of his children to
cut the last piece of cake in half and the other to choose the first piece. In
many cases a person from one perspective wrote the notes while a person from
the other perspective screened them. This ensures the notes maintain both
charity and some degree of objectivity in those areas of dispute.”
What Features of the Study Bible are You Likely to Use?
Determine
which feature you are actually going to use in a study Bible and choose one
that is best at that. For example:
o Bible
Reading Plans, Presentation Pages, etc. are listed as a feature, but are not
good reasons to buy a Bible – unless it is something you are actually going to
use.
o Are
you likely to read articles or essays in the back? If not, regardless of
how good the articles are, don’t let that be a consideration when making your
purchase.
o Generally,
in a study Bible, a Harmony of the Gospels is no more than a list of references
instead of the actual text of the Gospels printed out and arranged in
chronological order. Unless you are likely to look up the references,
then don’t let that influence you in favor of that study Bible.
o Are
you a visual learner, learning better with charts, graphic organizers, and maps?
If you do, then be sure to select a study Bible that is strong in these
areas. If you learn better by reading notes, then don’t worry about these
things.
The
most used part of a study Bible is the set of explanatory (or expository notes)
on the bottom of each page which explain the meaning of the biblical text.
Below is a chart of links to samples for each study Bible:
|
Online Samples of Each
Study Bible |
|||||||
|
HCSB |
ESV |
NIV |
NKJV |
Reformation |
MacArthur |
Life Application |
Thompson’s |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Additional summary
details can be seen on another
Study Bible
comparison chart (in pdf)
Detailed
Lists of Features for Each Study Bible
Gleaned
from various online book stores
Details: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible
www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=30621&sp=59339
Available for WordSearch
Bible software: Information
Features:
o The Thompson Chain-Reference system
contains over 100,000 topical references in over 8,000 chain topics, helping to
make in-depth topical study and lesson preparation easier and more efficient.
The Thompson Chain is also known for its excellent archaeological supplement
and extensive collection of charts, diagrams, and other illustrations. Other
features include a revised concordance, 16 pages of full-color maps, and words
of Christ in red.
Available
in:
·
King James Version
·
New King James Version
·
New American Standard
Version
·
New International
Version
Details: HCSB Study Bible
http://hcsbstudybible.com
(information about the HCSB Study Bible)
www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=2396965&sp=59339&event=1003DPL
www.mystudybible.com (online version of
the study Bible)
Available for WordSearch
Bible software: Information
o
Number of Pages: 2100
o
290 word studies for
Hebrew & Greek words with passages where they appear (with an index to find
them)
o
15,000 study notes
o
141 photographs
o
62 timelines
o
59 maps
o
24 articles
o
16 illustrations/reconstructions
o
15 charts
o
Two-column text setting
o
One-year Bible reading
plan
o
Center column
references
o
Topical subheads
o
Black letter text
o
Lined pages for
personal notes
o
Bullet Notes:
Definitions of 150 terms such as “firstfruits” and “highplaces.” (7 pages)
o
Topical Concordance, 12
pages
o
Proverbs Topical Chart;
part of introduction to the book of Proverbs (6 pages)
o
52-Week Scripture
Memory Plan
o
Three-year Bible
Reading Plan
HCSB Study Bible Essays:
o
How to Read and Study
the Bible, George Guthrie (9 pages)
o
The Origin,
Transmission, and Canonization of the Old Testament Books, Jeremy Royal Howard
(7 pages)
o
The Origin,
Transmission, and Canonization of the New Testament Books, Jeremy Royal Howard
(5 pages)
The
following essays are all one page or so…
o
The Uniqueness of the
Genesis Creation Story—Genesis 2, Kenneth A. Mathews
o
The Historical
Reliability of the Old Testament—Genesis 9, Kenneth A. Kitchen
o
The Exiles of Israel—2
Kings 17, Duane A. Garrett
o
Significance of the
Dead Sea Scrolls—Isaiah 6-7, Peter W. Flint
o
Differences in the
Gospels—Matthew 3:17, Robert H. Stein
o
Church
Discipline—Matthew 18:15-20, Mark E. Dever
o
The Biblical Basis for
Missions—Matthew 28:19-20, M. David Sills
o
The Resurrection of
Jesus Christ as a Historical Event—Mark 16, Gary R. Habermas
o
Messianic
Expectations—Luke 7:20, Craig A. Evans
o
Christ in the Old
Testament—Luke 24:27, Craig A. Blaising
o
Incarnation and
Christology—John 1, Stephen J. Wellum
o
Is Jesus the Only
Way?—John 14:6, Robert M. Bowman, Jr.
o
The Cross and the
Gospel—John 19:17, Bruce A. Ware
o
The Missional
Church—John 20:21, Ed Stetzer
o
Opportunities and
Challenges in Global Missions—Acts 1:8, M. David Sills
o
The Message and
Lifestyle of the Apostles—1 Corinthians 4:9ff, Michael J. Wilkins
o
The Bible and
Sexuality—1 Corinthians 7, Daniel L. Akin
o
Perseverance of the
Saints—Ephesians 1:13-14, Daniel B. Wallace
o
The Bible and Women—2
Timothy 1, Mary A. Kassian
o
The Bible and Civil
Rights—Philemon, Kevin L. Smith
o
Jesus and Atonement in
the Old Testament—Hebrews 9, Eugene H. Merrill
o
Salvation in the Old
Testament—Hebrews 11, Paige Patterson
o
Faith and Works—James
2:18, Mark DeVine
o
The Historical
Reliability of the New Testament—2 Peter 1:16, Craig L. Blomberg
Details:
ESV Study Bible
www.christianbook.com/esv-study-bible?event=1003DPL
Online
Version of ESV Study Bible: www.esvonline.org
Available for WordSearch Bible software: Information
ESV Study Bible Articles
Complete
List of Contributors and Articles: www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=2060491&sp=65042
o Introduction:
A User’s Guide to the ESV Study Bible, Lane T. Dennis (4 pages)
o How
to Interpret the Bible, Daniel Doriani (4½ pages)
o Overview
of the Bible (Survey of the History of Salvation), Vern Poythress (3½ pages)
o Reading
the Bible (9 pages)
o Reading the Bible
Theologically, J. I. Packer
o Reading the Bible
as Literature, Leland Ryken
o Reading the Bible
for Application, David Powlison
o Reading the Bible,
Prayer, and Communion with God, John Piper
o Reading the Bible
with the Church, John Hannah
o The Bible’s Use in
Preaching and Public Worship, Kent Hughes
o God’s
Plan for Salvation, Mark Dever (3½ pages)
o The
Theology of the Old Testament, C. John Collins (2½ pages)
o Introduction
to the Pentateuch, Gordon Wenham (3 pages)
o Introduction
to the Historical Books, David M. Howard Jr. (3 pages)
o Introduction
to the Poetic and Wisdom Literature, David Reimer (3½ pages)
o Introduction
to the Prophetic Books, Paul House (4 pages)
o The
Time Between the Testaments, J. Julius Scott Jr. (7 pages)
o Jewish
Groups at the Time of the New Testament, John DelHousaye (2 pages)
o The
Roman Empire and the Greco-Roman World at the Time of the New Testament, David
W. Chapman (4½ pages)
o The
Theology of the New Testament, Tom Schreiner (3 pages)
o The
Date of Jesus’ Crucifixion (2 pages)
o Reading
the Gospels and Acts, Darrell Bock (2½ pages)
o Reading
the Epistles, Thomas R. Schreiner (2½ pages)
o The
Canon of Scripture (4½ pages)
o The Canon of the
Old Testament, Roger Beckwith
o The Canon of the
New Testament, Charles E. Hill
o The
Septuagint, Peter Gentry (2½ pages)
o The
Reliability of Bible Manuscripts (4½ pages)
o The Reliability of
the Old Testament Manuscripts, Paul D. Wegner
o The Reliability of
the New Testament Manuscripts, Daniel B. Wallace
o The
Old Testament and Critical Scholarship, Walter C. Kaiser
o The
New Testament and Critical Scholarship, Darrell Bock
o Archaeology
and the Bible (4½ pages)
o Archaeology,
Ancient History, and the Reliability of the Old Testament, John Currid
o Archaeology, Ancient
History, and the Reliability of the New Testament, David W. Chapman
o The
Original Languages of the Bible (6 pages)
o The Original
Languages of the Bible: Hebrew and Aramaic, Peter J. Williams
o The Original
Languages of the Bible: Greek, David Alan Black
o How
the New Testament Quotes and Interprets the Old Testament, C. John
Collins (4½ pages)
o History
of Salvation in the Old Testament: Preparing the Way for Christ (27 pages)
o Overview
of Theology (13 Articles), Erik Thoennes (29 pages)
o Overview
of Biblical Ethics (12 Articles), C. Ben Mitchell, Craig Mitchell, Wayne Grudem
(25 pages)
o The
Bible and Other Religions, Harold Netland (8 pages)
o The Bible and
Contemporary Judaism, Marvin R. Wilson
o The Bible and Islam,
Timothy Tennent
o The
Bible and Religious Cults, Ron Rhodes (4 pages)
o The
Bible in Christianity (10 pages)
o The Bible in
Christendom: Roman Catholicism, Gregg R. Allison
o The Bible in
Christendom: Eastern Orthodoxy, Robert Letham
o The Bible in
Christendom: Liberal Protestantism, Bruce Ware
o The Bible in
Christendom: Evangelical Protestantism, Bruce Ware
Details:
The Zondervan NIV Study Bible
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780310938965&event=AFF&p=1017366
o
900 Character and People Groups Profiles
o 425 Archaeology icons labeling archaeological
information
o
Almost 3,000 Personal
Application icons.
Details: NKJV Study Bible
http://nelsonbibles.com/bible.php?id=69
www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1005163&sp=59339
o February
2009
o 15,000
Nelson's expository study notes provides a warm yet scholarly explanation of
the Bible. Practical Applications of biblical teachings.
o There
are 103 InDepth Articles that discuss items of interest. For instance, in James
there is an article on Faith and Works and in Acts there is an article on Roman
Citizenship.There are 8 "Full View Bible Summaries," including the
doctrine of the Trinity and the Old Testament at a Glance.
o 150
Bible times and culture notes (text boxes with information on subjects like
synagogue or a specific city) There is an index list of Bible Times and Culture
Notes.
o 114
short articles on the key doctrines of Scripture
o Short
book theme summaries in text boxes
o 80
QuickView Charts and graphic organizers that help with quick overviews of
passages. In John, there is a chart of the 7 "I Am" Statements and in
Psalms, there is a chart called "Psalms for Every Occasion."
o 350
WordFocus word studies keyed to Strong's Concordance provides access to
important terms from the original Biblical languages. For instance, in 1
Kings there is a word study on ba'al and in John there is a study of logos.
o 69
InText Maps giving background to the passages.
o 8
FullView Bible Summary sections in color
o Timelines
of each book of the Bible
o 78
maps, including nine in color
o Prophetic
reference system
o A
comprehensive, 20-page Topical index to the study notes, Bible times and
culture notes, articles, word studies, book introductions, maps and charts
o In
passage asterisks point to differences between the Nestle-Aland 27/ UBS4 text,
the Majority Text and the Textus Receptus, with the latter being the text used
for the NKJV. This helps give differences between the manuscripts and is a
superb tool for comparing them.
o 195-page
NKJV Concordance
o New!
Christ in the Scriptures: each book’s introduction traces the Christ-centered
salvation theme present throughout the Bible.
o New!
eBible CD-ROM containing the Bible in a searchable electronic format (Libronix)
Details: Reformation Study Bible
www.ligonier.org/reformation-study-bible
www.christianbook.com/esv-reformation-study-bible-hardcover/9781596381360/pd/638136?event=CF
o Very,
very readable typeface
o Theological
Notes index
o In-text
maps index
o Charts
index
o Section
introductions (Pentateuch, History, etc)
o Book
Introductions
o Passage
headings
o Double-column
format
o Center-column
references
o Black
letter edition
o Concordance
o Black
genuine leather
o 8
pages of full-color maps
R.C.
Sproul, founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries, served as this study
Bible's general editor. "The Reformation Study Bible contains a modern
restatement of Reformation truth in its comments and theological notes. Its
purpose is to present the light of the Reformation afresh," stated Dr.
Sproul.
The
thousands of in-depth study notes included in the RSB were compiled from over
50 distinguished biblical scholars, including Drs. J.I. Packer, James Boice,
and Wayne Grudem. In addition to the comprehensive study notes, the RSB offers
readers extended discussions on the authority of Scripture, the atonement, and
other key aspects of biblical theology.
Details: Life Application Study Bible
www.tyndale.com/Life-Application-Study-Bible-NLT/9780842384933
www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=166873&sp=59339&event=1003DPL
Available for WordSearch
Bible software: Information
o
Presentation Page
o
Family records section
o
Single Column Format
o
Side-column cross
references
o
Index to Notes
o
Index to Charts
o
Index to Maps
o
Index to Personality
Profiles
o
Dictionary/Concordance
o
Scripture Text: 8 Point
o
Notes: 8 Point
o
16 pages of color maps
& diagrams
o
New International
Version
o
Hardcover
The
revised and updated edition of the Life Application Study Bible is currently
available in the following translations:
Details: MacArthur Study Bible
www.crossway.org/bibles/the-macarthur-study-bible-case
www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1149030&sp=59339&event=1003DPL
The
MacArthur Study Bible is currently available in the following translations:
Bible Translations Available
for the Study Bibles Discussed Here
Modern
Bible translations utilize different translation philosophies. These
include placing a higher value on word-for-word accuracy (called Formal
Equivalence) and placing emphasis on translating thought-for-thought, in
order to gain a greater level of readability (known as Dynamic Equivalence).
Since one is translating from another language, no English version can be fully
Formal or fully Dynamic. Each translation must strike some sort of a
balance. I would select one of the more literal, word-for-word,
translations for use in a study Bible.
Holman
Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The HCSB employs a translation approach they call Optimal Equivalence,
which “seeks to achieve an optimal balance of literary precision and emotive
clarity through a comprehensive analysis of the text at every level” to
translate “both words and thoughts.” It is not as literal as the ESV or NASB,
but is more so than the NIV. It is more readable than the ESV and far more
readable than the NASB. The Holman was published by Broadman & Holman
in 2003. Reading Grade Level: 7-8
English
Standard Version (ESV)
is an "essentially new literal translation" follows the tradition of
the King James, American Standard Version, and Revised Standard Version.
Published in 2001 by Crossway, it was developed with the goal of being very
accurate (word for word), and yet very readable. It is very popular among
Christian studies majors and in the Reformed community. Reading Grade
Level: 10
New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
- was by the Lockman Foundation and completed in 1971. This version is so
literal that you can check your Greek homework by it. It sticks as close
as possible in translating to the vocabulary and word order in the original,
although the resulting English can be wooden. It often is preferred by those
who want an English version that reflects the grammar of the original. An
update was published in 1995 which seeks to smooth out the English while
preserving the literal nature of the translation. Reading Grade Level: 11
New
International Version (NIV),
The NIV is copyrighted by the International Bible Society and was completed in
1978. It is the best-selling English version in the U.S. today. It
combines contemporary, literary English with traditional biblical
vocabulary. It translates more phrase by phrase rather than word by
word. However, it is not nearly as literal as the three translations
above. Reading Grade Level: 7-8
New King
James Version (NKJV),
Published by Thomas Nelson in 1982. It seeks to preserve the classic style and
beauty of the King James Version while updating the vocabulary and grammar.
Although it uses the same Hebrew and Greek texts as the King James Version, it
indicates where other manuscripts differ. Grade level: 7
New
Living Translation (NLT),
Published by Tyndale in 1996. This is a translation and not a paraphrase, like
the Living Bible. This is a very readable translation, but is as non-literal as
a translation can get and still be a translation; all the way to the end of the
spectrum on the the thought by thought end, and opposite the word for word
approach. Reading Grade Level: 6
Compare
Translations at : www.hcsb.org/translation-comparison.aspx and www.kirkbride.com/thompson-compare-versions.asp
Hardcover:
More durable
than both paper or kivar bound books, and they are often referred to as
hardbacks. They are slightly more expensive than the paperback or kivar
bindings; however, they are more economical than leather bindings.
Bonded
Leather: Made
from real leather. However, as the name suggests, the cover is made from
leather pieces that are bonded together with latex. Once bonded, the leather is
dyed, cut and embossed to look like genuine leather. The look and feel is as
genuine leather (though not high-grade leather). Due to the fact that it is not
made from a single sheet of leather, bonded leather is less expensive, and can
be less durable than genuine leather.
Genuine
Leather: Berkshire
Leather, Genuine Leather, Top-Grain Leather, Cowhide, and Morocco Leather
differ from Bonded Leather in that they all consist of a single piece of
leather, not many bonded pieces. Types of Genuine Leather are listed below:
Berkshire
Leather: A term for
pigskin – high quality pigskin tanned to enhance its appearance and durability
— the material most commonly used in bookbinding when 'genuine leather' is the
description used..
Genuine
Leather: Made from
first quality animal hides (usually pig or cowhide). It has a finely grained
texture, which is thicker and coarser than Top-Grain Leather.
Premium
Soft Genuine Calfskin Leather:
The softest leather available. A
traditional high-quality leather used in fine bindings. It is long-lasting and
its suppleness increases with use.
Top-Grain
Leather: Cut from
the top or outside of the hide and consists of Pigskin or cowhide. Its grain is
thicker and coarser than Cowhide.
Cowhide:
Cut from either
cattle or water buffalo. It has a finer and suppler grain, which is slightly
more durable than Top-Grain leather. As a result, it is more expensive.
Morocco:
High quality
leather made of imported goatskin, usually worked by hand. It is considered to
be one of the finest binding leathers. As such it is very durable and
expensive.
The
prices will vary for different bindings. For example, here are the
regular retail listed prices listed for the HCSB Study Bible in its various
bindings. You
can get these Bibles for much less online or on sale at LifeWay, but the
differences in price give you an idea:
·
Hardcover: $49.99
·
Duotone Simulated
Leather: $69.99
·
Bonded Leather: $69.99
·
Genuine Leather: $79.99
·
Deluxe Leather: $150
·
Thumb Indexed: Add $10
The information on bindings above
comes from Christianbook.com at:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1063665&sp=1003
and Cambridge Bibles (Cambridge Bibles are
famous for their quality binding) at:
http://www.cambridge.org/uk/bibles/info/materials.htm
Strengths
and Emphases of Various Study Bibles: The
Strongest Study Bibles in Various Categories |
|||
|
What is the Contextual Setting? History,
Timelines, Culture & Customs HCSB NKJV NIV ESV |
What Does it Say? Word Studies,
Biblical Languages NKJV HCSB |
What Does it Teach? Doctrine &
Theology Reformation ESV MacArthur NKJV |
What Should I Do? Application Life
Application NIV NKJV |
|
Depth &
Meatiness Reformation ESV HCSB NKJV |
Most Material ESV HCSB MacArthur NKJV
|
Advocates One Point
of View MacArthur Reformation |
Shows Various
Evangelical Views Without
Wimping Out on Essentials ESV |
|
Baptist Friendly HCSB MacArthur
ESV |
Presbyterian Friendly Reformation MacArthur ESV |
Color: Text, Maps,
Charts, & Illustrations HCSB ESV |
Can You Show Me a Picture? Illustrations
& Photographs HCSB
ESV |
|
Dispensational
Premillennial Rapture
then Tribulation NKJV |
Historic
Premillennial Tribulation
then Rapture MacArthur |
Amillennial Jesus
is Coming Back and It’s Over Reformation |
Various Evangelical
Views On
Second Coming Explained ESV |
|
Topical Study Thompson’s
Chain Reference |
Character Studies Life
Application NIV |
Readable Typeface Reformation |
Carry-Ability Light Enough to
Carry to Church Reformation |
|
Online Samples of Each
Study Bible |
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HCSB |
ESV |
NIV |
NKJV |
Reformation |
MacArthur |
Life Application |
Thompson’s |
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Additional summary
details can be seen on another
Study Bible
comparison chart (in pdf)
