ESV Study Bible?

Hi Epistemes, I regularly refer to the ESV Study Notes from the ESV Study Bible as part of my Bible software program from Logos. I think they are very concise and very informative, and would be an EXCELLENT choice as part of a study Bible.

I don't carry a Bible anymore because I have my entire Logos Bible software program on my iPhone, but the question for you as far as which kind of cover to buy comes down to price and use. I like the way a leather-bound volume's binding allows it to stay open to the page you want to be on right out of the box (though some hard covers allow for that too to one degree or another), and if are planning on taking your Bible with you wherever you go, the better the leather, the longer it will last. Price-wise, you can't beat a hardcover.

Yours and His,
David

Yes, I have one. It means a lot to me. I studied different translation choices and decided on this one, then received as a birthday present years ago. Bought a custom case for it that I love from Amazon that makes it easier to carry with its handle. When on the go I use the ESV translation through youversion on android for phone and reading plans.

ESV is my favorite translation, I like that it is word-for-word style interpretation, and i like some of the word choices they use. I have a faux leather cover, small print, and I like it. I generally don't like carrying a full size Bible, but to each his own.

I spent some time once reading through the notations it offers on various passages. I was not impressed & would not personally use or recommend it to others.

I think the ESV as a translation is okay, as far as conservative translations go.

Epistemes said:

I know many of you probably have this in your library. It's been around awhile and is very popular, from my understanding.

What's your experience been? Does anyone use it as their main Bible? Is it too large to carry to church?

If I were to get one, should I invest in the hardcover, the genuine leather or calfhide leather?

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The ESV is reckoned to be a conservative rendering of the RSV.

when it comes to studying the NT, you cannot go far wrong with the Annotated Jewish New Testament.

Steve

As I see it the ESV and the NASB are very similar. Either are a good choice. I just got the Reformation Study Bible in ESV and it's a great resource.

ebedmelech said:

As I see it the ESV and the NASB are very similar. Either are a good choice. I just got the Reformation Study Bible in ESV and it's a great resource.

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I agree that the ESV and NASB are very similar; at least, they read very similarly.

The NASB is considered by many to be the most accurate, literal translation in English at the moment, but I have no qualms using my ESV Study Bible still and I'd still recommend it for someone even if they only used the resources within it.

The ESV Study Bible was my first study Bible. I'd started my walk with a King James Bible and bought the ESV Study Bible at the same time. I soon swapped over to the ESV.

As far as binding is concerned, I honestly wouldn't worry too much. My main problem with the Publish, Crossway, is that their nicer bindings aren't very reasonably priced at all. You can buy a beautifully bound R L Allan Bible for quite a bit cheaper than an Heirloom ESV, for example.

Mine is just a hardback. When this one has had it then I'll just buy another hardback. If you're in the U.S. then they apparently have them on offer quite regularly on Christian Book for about $20.

It also includes a code you can redeem online and you create an account and have all the Bible resources online as well which is a nice touch.

As far as the bulk of it goes... It's quite large. It's one of the larger Bibles I own, thickness wise.

Personally I'd take a smaller Bible that's just a text block(I have a Cambridge Pitt Minion) and a A5 notebook and pen to take notes in and then go over them when you get home

I would recommend the ESV either verse-by-verse reference bible and/or the wide margin reference bible.

I believe they both have 9 point font, pretty large and easy to read.

And you have plenty of space to write notes on verses and not sacrifice the references.

I really don't care for Study Bibles, because it will usually hold to certain doctrines and eschatological views that could differ to my own. I would even be reluctant to give one as a gift to a babe in Christ because I would fear indoctrination into erroneous teachings.

random person said:

I would recommend the ESV either verse-by-verse reference bible and/or the wide margin reference bible.

I believe they both have 9 point font, pretty large and easy to read.

And you have plenty of space to write notes on verses and not sacrifice the references.

I really don't care for Study Bibles, because it will usually hold to certain doctrines and eschatological views that could differ to my own. I would even be reluctant to give one as a gift to a babe in Christ because I would fear indoctrination into erroneous teachings.

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I agree that each commentary, either independent and its own book or footnotes in a study bible can be biased, but I think that's just where building a small library of sorts comes in.

Contrasting opinions are good, at least for me they are. Whether or not I believe what's said in a study note to be true, it's still valuable knowledge if someone you're debating or discussing with holds that view because it can help you understand the position they're coming from.

I don't think there's any one study bible that's perfect on its own, but as far as study bibles that are pretty close, the ESV is one of them, in my opinion.

Particularly so with eschatology, the MacArthur study bible is an even closer to perfect for my theology.

graceandpeace said:

I spent some time once reading through the notations it offers on various passages. I was not impressed & would not personally use or recommend it to others.

I think the ESV as a translation is okay, as far as conservative translations go.

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I highly agree. I feel like it's a fad right now to some extent, it's been getting a lot of attention, which isn't bad, but it definitely is not the best translation out there.

faroukfarouk said:

The ESV is reckoned to be a conservative rendering of the RSV.

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And the RSV is a rendering of the RV (1881) which is essentially a corrupted Bible. If you have any doubts please read and study The Revision Revised by John William Burgon, a leading 19th century textual scholar in his own right. Sorry if this burst some bubbles, but facts are facts.

If you want an ESV study Bible get the Lutheran Study Bible, published by Concordia Publishing House. My one criticism is that the average page has more notes than Biblical text and it is certainly not a volume that most would want to carry to church.

Job8 said:

And the RSV is a rendering of the RV (1881) which is essentially a corrupted Bible. If you have any doubts please read and study The Revision Revised by John William Burgon, a leading 19th century textual scholar in his own right. Sorry if this burst some bubbles, but facts are facts.

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Isn't that what revisions are for?

Dom Puccio said:

Isn't that what revisions are for?

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Are you serious, or is that tongue-in-cheek?

Job8 said:

Are you serious, or is that tongue-in-cheek?

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Could be both, I guess.