Study Bibles and commentaries

[GodSoLovedTheWorld]

I'd like to know your thoughts about which study Bibles and commentaries you use and why?
I'm looking to get one or two (or more) and I don't really know where to start.
If it helps, I've been reading the KJV and NIV Bibles.
I've looked at the sticky above, but I really want to avoid online material.

 

[Hentenza]

I'd like to know your thoughts about which study Bibles and commentaries you use and why?
I'm looking to get one or two (or more) and I don't really know where to start.
If it helps, I've been reading the KJV and NIV Bibles.
I've looked at the sticky above, but I really want to avoid online material.

Hi GodSoLovedTheWorld,

I use the NIV study bible, but I also have several NT and OT Surveys to comfirm and/or expand my bible's commentaries. I find my bible's commentaries helpful but short.

You brother in Christ

 

[mark kennedy]

I use ESword simply because it has Strong's concordance and dictionary. It's a computer program but you need not be online. It also has plugins for commentaries by Albert Barnes and some others. At any rate, I have a John McArthur study Bible I listened to his radio program for years and conveys New Testament principles about as well as anyone I have ever heard.

I had a Thru the Bible Study Bible for years and pretty much wore it out. It had some really good commentary as well, perhaps a little better then this one.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[AngCath]

study Bible recommendations:
1. Oxford Study Bible: Revised English Bible
2. Catholic Study Bible: New American Bible
3. New Oxford Annotated Bible: NRSV

Commentary recommendations:
1. New Jerome Biblical Commentary (single volume)
2. Harper Collings Bible Commentary (single volume)
3. New Interpreters Bible (12 Vol and a bit $$$)
4. Sacra Pagina (new testament - multivolume)

 

[favored_one]

I like the Thompson Chain KJV for general reading because the text is clean (no referece letters) and the study method of this bible makes it easy to locate scriptures and trace the lives of specific bible characters. If you are neat and careful, you can make good notes in the margins of the OT and a fewer notes in the NT.

I also use a parallel bible with KJV, NIV, NLT, and the NASB...the people's parallel bible by Zondervan. I have a Wycliff bible dictionary and a Strongs Concordance. As far as commentaries, you can find most of the old trusted ones online...but don't trust EVERYTHING you read by a man. I have a few single volume ones (Nelson, Wycliff), but have not found one I love enough to tell you to buy. I have heard that you should get a huge set with each book of the bible having its own individual book.

 

[hosea6v6]

I'd like to know your thoughts about which study Bibles and commentaries you use and why?
I'm looking to get one or two (or more) and I don't really know where to start.
If it helps, I've been reading the KJV and NIV Bibles.
I've looked at the sticky above, but I really want to avoid online material.

I would take Mark's advice, because I have used most everything over the years. John MacArthers NKJV is the best I have seen in many years and if you can catch him on the radio, do it.

Hosea6v6

 

[JTLauder]

I love the Open Bible with all the references and outlines. But I have the original version, which I don't think they sell anymore. The revised versions I hear are not as good.

A lot of people like the Life Application Study Bible. It's great and unique in that instead of focusing on academic study, it ties the passages to real life and practical application. While that makes a good personal devotional Bible, I would caution against using as your sole Study Bible. To get to the application, it assumes all the interpretation and bypasses observation and study. Of course you wouldn't want to get bogged down in study, but I think it's important to understand why and let the Spirit speak to you in and learn for yourself how it applies to your life rather than have someone else tell you.

I've heard about but never used the John McArthur Study Bible. I'll have to check it out one of these days.

Next to your Bible, I strongly recommended 2 essential books:
Strong's Concordance and Vine's Expository Dictionary.
Strong's is a definite must without question.
Vine's is also helpful in word comparisons, but be sure to get the one with both Old and New Testament words.

A regular Bible Dictionary is also very helpful.
I recommended IVP's New Bible Dictionary, but there are several good ones out there.

 

[xristos.anesti]

For the Scriptures of the Old Testament in English I use LXX (Septuagint) by L. Brenton.

For New Testament I use either Orthodox Study Bible (NKJV), Orthodox New Testament (a whole new Translation - similar to KJV - with Patristic Commentary) or New Testament in Serbian (Translated by the Holy Synod of the Serbian Church).

 

[LoveAlways]

You might want to look up the archaeological bible (NIV). I've been very interested in it, but can't afford it right now.

 

[Nimue]

I use and love the Nelson Study Bible (NKJV) - and I use it with my MacArthur Bible Commentary. I also have (and use) a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.

 

[MarieRose]

I used to only read the KJV but now I really like the NIV Study Bible. Good solid translation & really good study notes that help to clarify alot of things.

 

[IXOYE<><]

I read the NASB, NKJV, and KJV for study and the NIV and NLT for devotional reading. I also read the NRSV and NAB on occasion.

 

[JudyB1169]

I use the New Inductive Study Bible-NASB. It does not interpret the Scripture for the reader, but allows you to let the text speak for itself. For commentaires, I use Warren Wiersbe "BE' series. It's excellent!

 

[JTLauder]

As long as we are talking about translations, and for the record I don't have a loyalty to a single translation only, I'm really excited about the ESV. It's suppose to be a revamping of the RSV, which has been heralded for its fidelity in its word-to-word translation, but its OT translations has drawn up criticism. The ESV is suppose to revise those RSV shortcomings.

 

[Willo]

1. Matthew Henry Study Bible - KJV
2. John MacArthur Study Bible - NASB
3. Reformation Study Bible - ESV

They are the main three english translations that I work from for study.

 

[catwoman2]

I use the NLT Open Bible. I understand the translation and there are good overview materials in there.

 

[ContentInHim]

I would take Mark's advice, because I have used most everything over the years. John MacArthers NKJV is the best I have seen in many years and if you can catch him on the radio, do it.

Hosea6v6

This one is my personal favorite for study also. I really like MacArthur, his notes and his books also!

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

I'd like to know your thoughts about which study Bibles and commentaries you use and why?
I'm looking to get one or two (or more) and I don't really know where to start.
If it helps, I've been reading the KJV and NIV Bibles.
I've looked at the sticky above, but I really want to avoid online material.

There are a lot of study Bibles out there, but I use two: the NIV Study Bible and the Life Application Bible. The NIV Study Bible is regarded as one of the best study Bibles for its excellent notes, cross references and comments. There is even an NASB version with the same NIV Study Bible notes. I and my family like it so much we have 5 copies - one for myself and another at work, one for my wife and 2 for my older kids. The Life Application Bible is very good with regards to application and questions. Its very helpful in leading believers into a deeper understanding of Biblical principles and their application today.

I admit I like the technical commentaries - the 1,000 page books that go into great detail concerning options and possibilities. I don't think listing those is going to be helpful to anyone. Now I do have the 12 volume Expositor's Bible Commentary, which is expensive but excellent. There is a condensed 2 volume version of this called the Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary that I would highly recommend. I also have the 2 volume Bible Knowledge Commentary, and Elwell's 1 volume Evangelical Commentary on the Bible.

Besides a 1 or 2 volume commentary, I would also recommend a few other resources. A Bible dictionary is good, and I have Douglas' New International Dictionary of the Bible. Someday I hope to get the New Bible Dictionary by Intervarsity Press. I have a number of Bible Atlases, which are a tremendous aid in understanding Scriptures. My favorite is the one I use the most, Macmillan Bible Atlas. I have other atlases with "color" - like the Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible - but I keep coming back to MacMillan Bible Atlas because of its solid and helpful information.

Besides a dictionary and an atlas, I would also recommend a systematic theology. These are helpful in addressing topics and issues that relate to Scripture. I have a number, but my favorite is Millard Erickson's Christian Theology. I don't have Grudem's Systematic Theology, but its also popular and well written. Bible Encyclopedias are nice, but they are also essentially more detailed "dictionaries." That means they are usually more expensive, too. A good to get is "ISBE" - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.


LDG

 

[JoshuaM]

I'd like to know your thoughts about which study Bibles and commentaries you use and why?
I'm looking to get one or two (or more) and I don't really know where to start.
If it helps, I've been reading the KJV and NIV Bibles.
I've looked at the sticky above, but I really want to avoid online material.

I have been using NASB, NIV, NKJV, including the Thompson-Chain reference Bible, and an Inductive Study Bible. I use these different versions for different wordings, to both compare and clarify. But also to grow and learn.

I also use commentaries linked at Biblegateway.com under their commentary link and another one which i think is called "other resources" but i am uncertain. If you want to finally avoid the online text, you may still want to read through some of those commentaries and see what you like. I also recommend a Bible Dictionary.

 

[JTLauder]

This one is my personal favorite for study also. I really like MacArthur, his notes and his books also!

I'm impressed with all the notes in that Bible, but I would caution relying on commentary notes that are all from a single person as your primary Bible study tool.