Then, after starting with the words of the Bible itself, we can turn to the study notes and many other study Bible resources for information about the background to the text, for the meaning of puzzling words or phrases, and for connections to other parts of the Bible. We should always begin by reading the Bible’s actual words, seeking with our hearts and our minds to understand these words and apply them to our lives. “The best way to use a study Bible, therefore, is always to begin and end with the words of the Bible. The Introduction to the ESV Study Bible says it well. The biblical text must book-end any study of Scripture. However, these Bibles must be used properly. While I understand these concerns, I feel that study Bibles can be immensely helpful and especially so to those who do not have extensive reference libraries or extensive theological training. After all, we have been given the Holy Spirit who promises to us that He will help us to know and to apply the Scriptures. There are some Christians who feel that study Bibles are not ultimately helpful to Christians. After all, at $35 or $40 for the hardcover edition (and upwards of $200 for the premium calfskin edition) this Bible is not an insignificant investment. So in this review I will try to cut through the hype and, to the best of my ability, judge this new Bible on its own merits. The ESV team has done an excellent job of generating excitement for the ESV Study Bible and particularly so among the type of person who tends to read my book reviews. Sponsor Show Your Support Become a Patron However, I have had access to the complete text for several weeks now and have taken many opportunities to read through parts of the Bible. This makes it around 700 pages longer than most of the other study Bibles available today. This Bible’s 2,752 pages boast almost 2 million words. Reading every word of the 20,000 study notes and the more than 50 articles would be a time-consuming task. Though I typically will not review a book until I have read every word, I have had to make an obvious exception for this title. And into this crowded field steps a newcomer, the ESV Study Bible.
Truly there is no lack of study Bibles available to us. A visit to a local Christian bookstore will turn up many more and a search of publishers’ “Coming Soon” lists will show more still. On the bookcase in my office I have a copy of the Archaeological Study Bible (NIV), the MacArthur Study Bible (NASB) and The Apologetics Study Bible (HCSB). Today, if you drop by my home in the early morning, you are likely to see me reading from the Literary Study Bible, also in the ESV. I used that Bible daily for many years though it was eventually replaced by a New Geneva Study Bible in the NKJV translation and after that by a Reformation Study Bible in the ESV. It was many years ago, probably in the late 80’s, that my parents gave me the gift of a brand new NIV Study Bible. I still remember getting my first study Bible.
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