Maybe you are like one of our members who recently went down to the Christian book store to get her spouse a new study bible for Christmas and walked away a little overwhelmed. I have stood there among those three 20’w x 10’h rows looking over the multiple dozens of choices.
There are mens, ladies, couples, graduates, college, pre-teens, teens, childrens, even a baby bible. Then you must choose a study theme. There are archeology, apologetics, devotional, study, prayer, prophecy, life application, inductive, learning, spirit filled, athletes, brides, Promise Keepers, Women of Faith, Precious Moments, skaters, Remix, Rewind, Pause, Fast Forward, Left Behind, Moving Forward, life dependency (addiction recovery). If you choose a single author study bible, then you will need to choose your favorite author/minister like – Scofield, Ryrie, Stanley, Lucado, Strand, C.S. Lewis, MacArthur.
Now before you decide on which translations you need to know there are methods of translation. There is Formal equivalence – literal word for word (NASB, ESV, NKJV, RSV), Dynamic equivalence – attempts to accurately convey the thoughts or ideas of the original texts (NLT, NIV), and then Functional equivalence – which only seeks to preserve the thought of the text by giving meaning to sentences or phrases rather than individual words. They are not actually translations, but paraphrases. (The Message, Living Bible).
OK now you need to select a translations – just to name a few. Amplified, Catholic, Contemporary English Version (CEV), English Standard Version (ESV), International Children’s Bible (ICB), King James Versions (KJV) New King James Version (NKJV), The Message, New American Standard Bible (NASB), New Century Version (NCV), New International Version (NIV), Today’s New International Vesion (TNIV), Holman Christian Standard Bible(HCSB), New Living Translation (NLT), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Revised Standard Version (RSV). Can’t decide on one translation, don’t worry there are parallel bibles with two or more translations. If you are more concerned about the original languages, then you need to choose an interlinear bible which contains references to the original languages (Hebrew and Greek word studies).
Made it this far? Now you need to decide on the cover. Hard cover, soft cover, real leather, fake leather, rubber covers, metal covers, camouflage, flowers, snaps, buckles, every color you could imagine. They just recently released a waterproof bible for campers and outdoorsman. Oh yeah then there are thick, thin, pocket, family size, large print, small print, red letter, simple paragraph, references, concordance, tabbed edge, rough edge, gold edge, theme highlighted, and even ones that look like newspapers and magazines.
Finally made a decision – turn around and find several rows of bible covers for your newly selected bible.
Now you know how this member felt when she emailed me today desperate for a little help. She was simply looking to get her husband a new study bible as a gift this Christmas. I checked with her first to make sure it was not going to ruin a surprise. She ok’d. So below is our exchange with my recommendations.
Good Morning Bro. Scott,
I hope God is blessing you richly today. I know He has given me so much this past year, that I am amazed at His love for me. Could you help me? I am looking for a new Bible for Greg the one he has is well worn and starting to come apart. It is a student type Bible, which he loves because he reads the comments and gets a better understanding. Do not get me wrong this Bible will still be used at home, But I would like to get him a nice one (not losing any pages) he can carry to Church.
If you could recommend a nice Bible, I would greatly appreciate it. I did make an attempt to do this on my own but when I went to the Christian Book store, I went in to Bible overload. I got so confused that I actually started wondering if those who are seeking to learn about God and his salvation feel the same as I did while trying to decide which Bible to purchase? So I am seeking an expert’s advice, namely yours.
I hope you can help me if not then pray for me to choose the perfect Bible for him.
Yours in Christ,
Sandy
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Hey Sandy,
I understand the difficulty in choosing and would be happy to give you some “novice advice” – although for “expert advice” you would need to go elsewhere.
Here are the two bibles I highly recommend… they come in both hardcover and leather. Leather will be about $20-30 higher.
The ESV Study Bible 
is the English Standard Version translation and only comes in that translation. ESV is a great easy to read translation (I preached about two years from the ESV). The study notes for the ESV study bible are going to be from many scholars and are very practical, conservative, and trustworthy. This is a great study bible.
The MacArthur Study Bible 
can be purchased in the NKJV (New King James Version) or the NASB (New American Standard Bible) translation. Both of these translations are very good. I currently preach from the NASB, and our pew bibles are NKJV . Of course the notes are from only one source who is Pastor John MacArthur from Grace Community Church. He is an exceptional scholar, a wonderful preacher, and I highly recommend anything he does. I read him in preparation for every message I preach.
There are several others I like but I wanted to avoid giving you to many to choose from. I agree a new Christian (or old) must be overwhelmed when they go to the bible section in the Christian book store. By the way is this a surprise gift for Gregg, and would it be OK if I used a portion of your email for my blog? I think I will post on this, since I believe you might not be the only one who has the same questions you’re asking. Let me know.
Blessings, Brother Scott >
The ESV Study Bible
ESV Study Bible at familychristian.com
ESV Study Bible at amazon.com
MacArthur Study Bible
MacArthur Study Bible at familychristian.com
MacArthur Study Bible at amazon.com
Update: Though I think either of the study bibles above would be fine for an older teen I wanted to add an additional recommendation for tweens (preteens). I always recommend this bible to parents especially for younger teens (best in the NLT).
Girls Life Application Study Bible NLT
Girls Life Application Study Bible at familychristian.com
Girls Life Application Study Bible at amazon.com
Boys Life Application Study Bible NLT
Boys Life Application Study Bible at familychristian.com
Boys Life Application Study Bible at amazon.com
Adult Life Application Study Bible
Adult Life Application Study Bible at familychristian.com
Adult Life Application Study Bible at amazon.com
Finally if you are not shopping for a bible but would prefer to get someone a solid resource to use along with their bible my number one recommendation would be to get them a copy of the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Two of the general editors of this resource were my professors at Bible college. Dr. Chad Brand taught me theology, world religions, and church history, and Dr. Charles Draper taught me Old Testament and The Minor Prophets. The authors, articles, and scholarship of this Bible dictionary are unequaled. I consider this and Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology my most valuable general study resources next to my Bible.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary at amazon.com
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids
One final update.
Translations I would most recommend.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
English Standard Version (ESV)
New King James Version (NKJV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holman Christian Standard Bible(HCSB)
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
.
Translations I would least recommend.
New Century Version (NCV)
New International Version (NIV)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Living Bible (TLB)
The Message (MSG)
Others to be completely avoided…
The New World Translation – Jehovah’s Witnesses translation.
The Inspired Version – Latter-day Saints (Mormon) founder Joseph Smith.
The New International Version (TNIV) – Gender Neutral Bible.
In Christ Name and for His Sake, Brother Scott >
