My 5 Favorite Study Bibles

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."

-Acts 17:11 ESV

Scripture is the word of God. Each word was inspired by the Holy Spirit and is profitable for us. (If you would like more on that, then please click here to read my previous article on the doctrine of the inspiration of the Scripture.)

God chose to reveal his message through letters, words, sentences, and paragraphs. Therefore, we must read, study, and interpret them. There are many tools that can be used in order to study the Scriptures in their original context (e.g., Bible dictionaries, lexicons, grammar helps, various types of commentaries, handbooks, encyclopedias, background/contextual books, translations, etc.).

One of my favorite tools to study Scripture are study Bibles. Why? Because good study Bibles often incorporate insights from each of these detailed resources and summarize them. Therefore, if you're pressed for time, or reading Scripture in a devotional manner, study Bibles can help you efficiently explore the depths of Scripture.

Another reason that I like study Bibles is that they are often produced from a particular viewpoint. Thus, I have accumulated study Bibles from many different perspectives, and I enjoy comparing them and letting them "fight it out" (e.g., Calvinistic vs. Arminian, charismatic vs. cessationist, Baptist, Presbyterian/Reformed, Wesleyan, Catholic, Orthodox, etc.). So, if you're pressed for time, it is also an efficient way to compare perspectives. (Excellent study Bibles, such as the ESV Study Bible, also present many of these different viewpoints within their study notes.)

Okay, the wait is over. Here are my five favorite, and most frequently used, study Bibles.

My 5 Favorites Study Bibles

1. ESV Study Bible

Why? | This is my favorite overall study Bible. It is thorough, has many charts/pictures, includes various viewpoints, and was developed by many leading scholars. It typically represents a Protestant, Evangelical, baptistic, and Calvinist view. It is highly readable and will benefit everyone.

2. NET Bible, Full Notes Edition

Why?  | This is a unique resource. The full notes edition includes the notes from the translators where they detail why they made particular translation decisions. It is an exceptional exegetical resource which helps you understand the nuances of the original languages, words, syntax, verb tenses, and manuscripts (particularly variant readings). Some may find this resource difficult without some prior technical knowledge around Greek, Hebrew, and manuscript variants.

3. CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible

Why?  | This study Bible provides commentary on Scripture by the early church. It is interesting, powerful, and gives insight into how the people who lived after the apostles interpreted Scripture. It is such a spiritually rich resource that will strengthen your faith. (For those who are specifically looking to understand the text and different interpretations, the ESV Study Bible would be a better option. However, for those curious about the early church and how they interpreted Scripture, this study Bible is gold.) It is highly readable and will benefit everyone.

4. ESV Reformation Study Bible

Why?  | This is another exceptionally helpful resource that is very similar to the ESV Study Bible. Like the ESV Study Bible, it is thorough, includes various viewpoints, and was also developed by many leading scholars. It doesn't have quite as many resources, pictures, and charts as the ESV Study Bible, but the commentary notes and theological excerpts are immensely helpful. It typically represents a Protestant, Evangelical, Presbyterian/Reformed, and Calvinist view. It is highly readable and will benefit everyone.

5. ESV Church History Study Bible

Why?  | This is another great church history resource, like the Ancient Faith Study Bible. The difference is that it attempts to stretch more broadly across church history. Whereas the Ancient Faith Study Bible seeks to focus on the early church, the Church History Study Bible includes early church, Reformers, Puritans, modern commentators, and more. This study Bible is spiritually rich. (It must be noted that, being published by Crossway, it typically includes excerpts from church history that are from a Calvinistic viewpoint.) It is highly readable and will benefit everyone.

Others I would highly recommend:

• CSB Spurgeon Study Bible 

  • Perspective: Charles Spurgeon, Calvinistic Baptist

• NIV Grace & Truth Study Bible

  • Perspective: Calvinistic Baptist

• ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible  

  • Perspective: Calvinistic (Baptist and Presbyterian)

• NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible  

  • Perspective: Provides cultural background by Craig Keener (This study Bible is more focused on the cultural background rather than a specific viewpoint. However, Keener comes from a Wesleyan, Arminian, and charismatic viewpoint.)

• NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (previously published as NIV Zondervan Study Bible)   

  • Perspective: Calvinistic (Baptist and Presbyterian)

• ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible  

  • Perspective: Calvinistic Baptist

• KJV The Matthew Henry Study Bible  

  • Perspective: Puritan / Reformed, from Matthew Henry's famous 300+ year-old commentary

• NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible

  • Perspective: Charismatic