Which paper Study Bible?

Hey guys... which paper study bible would you recommend? (yes I'm a Logos user, but I still want to know). The one caveat is no "Message" or paraphrase-type Bibles... I'm really picky about that, being an NASB user to begin with.

I'm certainly willing to look at other translations though... in fact that might be a good idea just to see different scholarly inputs... (by which I don't mean the New World Translation or anything!) Big Smile

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Daniel Yoder

The ESV Study Bible is quite studly, and the NIV Study Bible is also worth a look.

Roger G Black

While having digital is a very nice thing, I too, like to have paper to back it up. I recently purchased 2 New Inductive Study Bibles for the household, 1 ESV and 1 NASB. Inductive Study Bibles are a format that can have the user digging into the Word, if they choose to put this style into action and into heart. Just a few ideas to look into.

Geo Philips

Hey guys... which paper study bible would you recommend? (yes I'm a Logos user, but I still want to know). The one caveat is no "Message" or paraphrase-type Bibles... I'm really picky about that, being an NASB user to begin with.

I'm certainly willing to look at other translations though... in fact that might be a good idea just to see different scholarly inputs... (by which I don't mean the New World Translation or anything!)

ESV has a whole bunch of study bibles (I have heard the Global Study Bible is quite good) but I recommend the standard ESV Study Bible, which has excellent articles and graphics to go along with solid mini-commentary (standard caveats about theological leanings which might be different to yours.)

I would not get the current NIV Study Bible. However, it is being updated by Doug Moo and DA Carson, so that might be a good one to get later.

Matthew C Jones

Several I like are:

The Open Bible NASB

The Geneva Study Bible

The KJV Study Bible (formerly known as the Liberty Annotated Study Bible)

The Strand Study Bible (this one is new to me but so far I like it)

Unix

I think the 1995 NASU that You are already using, is superior to the Evangelical Standard Version. I haven't used a Study Bible, but agree that ESV has bias in the Study Bible notes. Plus the ESV has bias in the translation.

I use other Bibles myself, I don't feel like discussing them right now, I'm focusing on writing other posts ...

Fred Chapman

Paper Study Bibles?

I did not know they still made them out of paper. Why? [:O][;)]

Everett Headley

For me it is hands down the ESV Study Bible. It's a brick, but an incredible work, as far as study Bibles go. I tend to collect study Bibles, however, and really like the Believer's Study Bible, which I'm not sure is in print/or it was renamed, I can't remember.

NB.Mick

Hey guys... which paper study bible would you recommend?

this depends on your planned usage intentions and whether you'd rather be confirmed in - or challenged by - a certain theological viewpoint. E.g. the ESB SB is rather reformed-leaning (there are of course more outspoken Reformed SBs) and complementarist, the CSSB is Lutheran (again, there's a more Lutheran SB), the current NIV SB is probably the global bestseller of SBs and "broadly evangelical" (wonder if the upcoming new NIV SB will be more reformed leaning, given the editors) - and that's only the non-pentecostal, conservative protestant flaviour ...

I personally like NIV SB in paper, but find I look less and less into it, given that I have FSB, ESV SB and CSSB in Logos (and CSSB is a "lutheranized" NIV SB). For bible study in German language I rather carry a Thomson Chain Reference bible around.

HJ. van der Wal

I would use the paperback edition of the ESV Study Bible.

For bible study in German language I rather carry a Thomson Chain Reference bible around.

My favorite paper study Bible is the Stuttgarter Studienbibel. I still use my old German paperback edition and the Hungarian hardback edition regularly.

For Bible study in Dutch I use the classic Kanttekeningen (English translation available here as Logos pb).

Ben

Jewish Study Bible, which obviously doesn't include the NT. (Edit to add: There's the Jewish Annotated New Testament, a NRSV NT with Jewish study notes from the same people who did the JSB.)

I found the ESV Study Bible to be *extremely* narrow. I prefer the NIV Study Bible to the ESV, even aware of its problems.

Kent

ESV definitely ESV

Deacon Steve

I use two study bibles regularly:

Catholic Study Bible, Second Edition (NABRE) -> Coming to Logos, HERE.

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (RSV2CE) - Available in Logos, HERE.

The Ignatius Study Bible is currently available for the New Testament. The publisher is currently working on the Old Testament.

I would advise against:

- NIV Study Bible - the notes are good and helpful, but they very frequently refer to notes elsewhere, so unless you like turning pages a lot, this is one that much more useable in electronic format, IMHO

- NLT Study Bible - the notes do not have depth

Esv Study Bible has good notes and charts and graphics... The maps are lightly colored and kind of hard to read.

Peter

Josh

The first study Bible that I ever bought for myself was a NASB Ryrie Study Bible. I loved it.

John

The ESV Study Bible is quite studly, and the NIV Study Bible is also worth a look.

The ESV Study Bible is definitely among the best.

The main problem with the (2011) NIV is with the translation being made gender-neutral. Almost guarantees its eventual decline.

There is also the Reformation study Bible (revision of the Geneva SB, edited by R.C. Sproul), available in ESV or NKJV.

If you like John Macarthur, his study Bible is very good and available in several translations.

If you are from a dispensationalist (I hope not [H]) background, the Ryrie study Bible is very good.

And last but not least, the HCSB translation and study Bible are both very good. Especially the translation which IMO is better than the ESV.

John

... ESV has bias in the Study Bible notes.

All study Bibles have bias. The ESV is actually well regarded for being more objective than most, it shows several different views in difficult passages.

Plus the ESV has bias in the translation.

All translations have bias. Only way to escape that fact is to learn original languages (using lexicons and study tools which have bias of course) [:D]

Michael

The Life Application study bible is very good and I think it comes in the NIV, NASB and one other translation. The Quest Study bible is also very good. I know it comes in NIV, but not sure what other versions it may be in. Both deal with every day issues that we face as Christians.

Ben

"The ESV is actually well regarded for being more objective than most, it shows several different views in difficult passages."

Oh really?

My comments from elsewhere, 2009.

>I know lots of people like it, but I was singularly *unimpressed* with its notes when I looked through it at SBL last year.

The note on Genesis 1:1, for example, does not even mention the alternate translation of the verse, one many scholars take to be correct (i.e. NRSV and JPS/TNK.) Not even a mention, and it claims to be a Study Bible! Moreover, it assumes that Gen 1:1 (without mentioning the alternative) teaches creation exnihilo [again, something most scholars now reject], and then states that this is"confirmed by the NT writers' affirmation that creation was from nothing" though their citied passages affirm no such thing. They also leave out 2Peter 3:5, which has a connection to Genesis and creation from the pre-existing chaotic water/deep/tehom.

For a *Study* Bible, I find the notes vastly incomplete and hopelessly dogmatic, with no mention of alternatives. Whether the scholars are right or not is immaterial to this discussion. I expect a *Study* Bible to present the options, not dogmatically choose and arbitrate between them for the reader, without letting the reader know there is even a question. There *is* a debate, and the ESV Study Bible presents the topic as if there were absolute certainty. That is what I take issue with.

Rosie Perera

I've pretty much abandoned the use of paper study Bibles, but I always liked the NIV Study Bible. It's got quite good notes; excellent cross-references; a nice, succinct, but remarkably comprehensive concordance (though that's a moot point with Logos and its search capabilities); and some pretty good maps. I wish Logos would publish that someday, at least the cross-references. I've been slowly chipping away at making a PB of them, but I fear it will take me until kingdom come, and I hope Logos comes along and does it before I finish with Genesis.

mab

I'll give another thumbs up on the ESV Study Bible. You get free access to their online ESV Study Bible which I absolutely love. Very handy. Of course I had to have the module in Logos too.

I just added a Life Application Study Bible to my paper Bibles since Logos doesn't have it yet. Word of caution: get the Large Print version, the standard version notes are really small.

One other gem is the Thompson Chain Reference. Very useful and yes I wish it was in Logos too.

FWIW, if you really use a bound Bible, look for a sewn binding and avoid bonded leather which wears out rather quickly.

Milford Charles Murray

The ESV Study Bible is quite st***ly, and the NIV Study Bible is also worth a look.

Peace and Blessings, Daniel! *smile*

If you can still edit your post, you might want to replace the word st**dly with something else, eh??? *smile*

Deacon Steve

Thank you, Milford.

Milford Charles Murray

Thank you, Milford.

Hi, Steve! *smile* Just now I realised that I should also edit the word in my quote of Daniel's post .... oopppssss, almost! *smile*

Thanks for your very kind post!

Daniel Yoder

Peace and Blessings, Daniel! *smile*

If you can still edit your post, you might want to replace the word st**dly with something else, eh??? *smile*

I am very sorry for my poor choice of words. I can no longer edit the post. Can a forum administrator be contacted about removing my post?

My sincere apologies. Thanks for pointing this out to me.

Rosie Perera

The ESV Study Bible is quite st***ly, and the NIV Study Bible is also worth a look.

Peace and Blessings, Daniel! *smile*

If you can still edit your post, you might want to replace the word st**dly with something else, eh??? *smile*

What would be an appropriate alternative? I could get a forum moderator to edit it. I wasn't offended by the word. I think Daniel was using this meaning of it (from computer lingo): http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/studly: " Impressive; powerful. Said of code and designs which exhibit both complexity and a virtuoso flair."

But since that word has its origin elsewhere, and some folks might be offended by it, I can see why you wanted it changed, Milford.

James Chandler

The first study Bible that I ever bought for myself was a NASB Ryrie Study Bible. I loved it.

I did the same and I still have it. After 30 years of use the cover is falling off and it's already been taped up.

Milford Charles Murray

Peace and Blessings, Daniel! *smile*

If you can still edit your post, you might want to replace the word st**dly with something else, eh??? *smile*

I am very sorry for my poor choice of words. I can no longer edit the post. Can a forum administrator be contacted about removing my post?

My sincere apologies. Thanks for pointing this out to me.

Hi Daniel! *smile* I wouldn't worry about it... I probably should just have left it go in the first place..... So my apologies for that, eh??? *smile* I was just trying to be helpful; however, the forums themselves are an interesting "beast" ..

David Taylor, Jr.

The first study Bible that I ever bought for myself was a NASB Ryrie Study Bible. I loved it.

Me too!

Nick Steffen

I can highly recommend the Norton Critical Edition of the KJV published last year edited by Herbert Marks, Gerald Hammond, and Austin Busch as a prime example of the study Bible format. Trenchant annotations throughout are deeply helpful to the judicious reader hoping to read the text afresh. Historical and exegetical content in the appendices go far beyond the material found in any other study Bible I've seen, including comparative and literary texts as well as the more common reception histories. They are beautiful examples of what can be done with the study Bible format.

Old Testament: http://www.amazon.com/English-Bible-King-James-Version/dp/0393927458

New Testament: http://www.amazon.com/English-Bible-King-James-Version/dp/039397507X

DMB

Also the combined http://www.amazon.com/English-Bible-King-James-Version/dp/0393347044/ref=sr_1_2/184-8867746-8525962?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377287311&sr=1-2 (to be released in Nov).

This one would be good on a Kindle

Erik

How about the NIV Archaeological Study Bible?

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Precept Ministries International published The NASB New Inductive Study Bible revision in 2013.

Thankful for leather bound Complete Jewish Bible and a number of other printed Bibles, including 1611 edition.

Keep Smiling [:)]

David Thomas

Hey guys... which paper study bible would you recommend? (yes I'm a Logos user, but I still want to know). The one caveat is no "Message" or paraphrase-type Bibles... I'm really picky about that, being an NASB user to begin with.

I'm certainly willing to look at other translations though... in fact that might be a good idea just to see different scholarly inputs... (by which I don't mean the New World Translation or anything!)

Don't know if you ever made a decision, but here is an option - https://store.bible.org/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1

John

Don't know if you ever made a decision, but here is an option - https://store.bible.org/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1

NET Bible? isn't that the one that gets updated every couple weeks? [:O]

David Thomas

NET Bible? isn't that the one that gets updated every couple weeks?

Semper Reformanda! Any dead tree document is only a snapshot of the best information available at a given time. Should any of the historical councils of the church not been held just because a previous or later council may refute/refine its conclusion?

Milford Charles Murray

Semper Reformanda! Any dead tree document is only a snapshot of the best information available at a given time. Should any of the historical councils of the church not been held just because a previous or later council may refute/refine its conclusion?

Yes, Semper Reformanda! Yes! *smile* Peace!

Does anyone remember how we got the NetBible in the days of Logos 3? I remember it was free at the time. Somebody from NetBible.org came onto the Newsgroups, I believe, and showed us how to get it????

Somehow I have both the "noted" edition and the "noteless" edition ....

What I'm wondering (having just looked at the NetBible online ...) ......... how often do you think Logos should update our resource to match the NetBible.org version??? Actually, I'm pleased with Logos' many resource updates.. Just wondering. ....

BTW, I'm going to be looking at the "noted" version a wee bit more ... Thanks for mentioning it.

It's one of my many versions that I've just been taking for granted in my studies of God's Word! ... and it deserves a "peek"! *smile*

Dave M

Carmen, to learn more and apply more, create your own study Bible. Purchase a wide margin Bible in your favorite translation and go for it.

Ronin15

Check out Chapter House Leather for a full-gain leather Bible in most major translations

Kathleen

In spite of your stating clearly that you want nothing to do with the Message, I'd dare to say that it is quite scholarly. It is not a paraphrase of a translation. Eugene Peterson who is its translator is a scholar who knows both the Hebrew and the Greek has done a very good job of translating phrase for phrase and coming up with a good meaning for meaning reader. There are some places where I really prefer the Message to other translations and I definitely like to look at it in addition to NRSV and others to get at the meaning of the original languages. I have studied the Hebrew and the Greek myself and I find his translations to be very good. FWIW.

DMB

You make a good point.

Phrase for phrase. Versus word for word. The interesting part is that they are both approximations, phrase for phrase being more obvious … word for word 'looking' like less approximate, but can be even worse.

The principle is more clear just looking at modern translation from one language-family to another. Phrase for phrase is absolutely necessary. So, it works out to the translator … do you trust him/her?

James Chandler

It's the same for me. I don't use paper to read much of anything these days. But when I did, I used the NASB Ryrie Study Bible. Now with Logos, I can look up information immediately.

Mattillo

Depends on what you want my favorite 3 are:

ESV Study Bible (Has a ton of notes, color images, diagrams)

Life Application Study Bible (Not as many maps but great application notes)

MacArthur Study Bible (my favorite theologian)

Kathleen

I am new to this forum and therefore I am not sure quite how to respond to specific comments. I didn't see an option to "reply" ….(only "flag, quote, insightful, agree, like or LOL…none of which fit). However, I do want to let you know that I am a feminist theologian among you, and I have read and studied the Bible, even graduated from seminary with high grades and been ordained as a teaching elder/minister of Word and Sacrament. I would humbly ask that you consider me one of those among you as you write, please.

One interesting way that I came to think about the language change necessary in the NRSV and the TNIV is to consider the titles put on restrooms. If it doesn't matter what words we use there, then it doesn't matter which restroom I go into. I can use either the mens room or the women's room, because "everyone knows that men means everyone." At least that seem to be the argument for not changing the language of the Bible pronouns and gendered words. When "men" is used for all people I have to decide if I am included or not every time, and if I decide wrongly, I am in for serious trouble.

I recall a time when in an Orthodox Church the ministers were invited to go to the back to the "holy of holies" where communion is prepared and I'm not sure what else takes place there…….I took a step or two to join my colleagues, because I was among the local ministerial group. Immediately the clearly shocked orthodox minister, who had extended the invitation, put up his hands to block me from entering and said, "oh no, not you!" in spite of the fact that I was just as much a minister as any of the rest of them who were invited. Blessedly, a couple of the male ministers refused, then, to go with him in solidarity with me.

I hope that helps you to understand the issue a little more clearly. Words do matter, and can be very offensive when they exclude someone in ambiguous ways, and then punish those who misinterpret the ambiguity.

And, as to Eve being at fault…..did you forget that Adam was right there beside her when she ate the fruit? And he was eager to join her in eating it with her when it was offered to him.

I do not wish to be offensive…..at all. I do wish to help others to see that being feminist is not about being anti-men. It is about being clear with our words and helping everyone, both men and women to be all that they can be and are created to be. I love you all and pray that we can be loving in our use of words as we learn together.

P.S. You don't have to be a woman to be a feminist theologian. And I've wondered how anyone who follows Jesus can be anything but a feminist theologian when they understand what it means.

DMB

Kathleen, I welcome your perspective. But just for info/reminding, the comments earlier were 12 years ago. Milford would have appreciated your words (he's passed on to be with the Lord). Interestingly, comments that followed seem to similarly ignore the timing.

Mattillo

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/514793#Comment_514793

Yikes… I was wondering the same thing but we are drifting towards non-sanctioned forums topics. Questioning ex nihilo creation seems like a very dangerous precipice.

Kathleen

Thank you DMB, for helping me to learn that this forum is much older than my participation in it. I thought, perhaps that it was new with the new membership options. Wow! I've so much to learn.

Is there a way I can see how old a comment is?

Kevin Houghtaling

This thread has been resurrected. Answering the last question… To determine the age of many quoted comments you must scroll back to the author of the comment.

For posterity, I suggest both the Reformation Study Bible and The Lutheran Study Bible. I particularly like the Lutheran Study notes.

Considering how much Logos software has developed, a paper study Bible seems outdated… although I still love my Bible in print form. Everyone needs a nice readers edition Bible, single column, no references, no footnotes, no headings. Just get absorbed with the reading of God’s Word… IMHO.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1357639#Comment_1357639

Adding to Kevin, Kathleen, it's easy to miss the dates! And it happens a lot. I only saw the oldness from the much older participants.

I'm currently going thru Elizabeth Stanton's 'Woman's Bible' (more a commentary). I can see some of your points.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

@Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :) August 2013Thankful for leather bound Complete Jewish Bibleand a number of other printed Bibles, including 1611 edition.

The Complete Jewish Study Bible was printed in 2016, which has become my primary paper Study Bible, especially when volunteering inside prisons where my electronic devices are not allowed. Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi along with most Bible authors being Jewish or assuming ancient Jewish cultural knowledge: e.g. John 7:37 "last day of the festival" that has Joy beyond human words to describe during Holy Worship Celebrations at Jewish Temple.

Still 🙏 praying for a printed Lexham English Bible with Faithlife Study Bible notes for use inside prisons.

Keep Smiling 😊