The Big 5: Study Bibles

I'm very happy to see the ESV Study Bible coming out in October.  I will own and use a copy and provide them on my church's book table.  So, it makes me wonder...

What are your Big 5 study Bibles? 

This is a list of the study Bibles you personally think are the best.  If you think you would choose the ESV SB as one, please mention that.  Also, let us know what version of the Bible you like for each study Bible (if they vary).  Go!

Comments

[cavman]

The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible (NIV)

I really don't use Study Bibles much these days. I read the ESV for devotions and preach from the NIV or my own rough translation.

As a young Christian I used:
Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible (NIV)
Disciples Study Bible (NIV)

I wish I'd had the NIV Study Bible since that was before the New Geneva came out.

[Jeff]

ESV Study Bible
MacArthur Study Bible NKJV
Thompson Chain Reference NIV

[Tim]

Reformation Study Bible ESV
MacArthur Study Bible NASB
Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible NIV
Thompson Chain Reference NIV

And, I'm sure the ESV Study Bible will be my favored once I actually own a copy.

[Rae Whitlock]

Well, the ESVSB looks fantastic from the book introduction PDFs that they've made available, so that's going on my list. I've ordered a bunch of info brochures to build hype at my church. :)

Along with those, I'd say . . .
ESV Reformation Study Bible
ESV Literary Study Bible
NKJV MacArthur Study Bible
NIV Student Bible (not really a "study bible" in the proper sense, but it's one I treasure from my younger days)

Of course, after the Study Bible fandom of my early 20s, I'm much more of a text-only (or text-with-cross-references) Bible guy.

[Ken in Virginia Beach]

Roughly in "age appropriate" order:

1. The Adventure Bible - great for elementary kids.

2. The Quest Study Bible is excellent for teens and young adults, putting questions and answers of all sorts in the margin. Also excellent for preparing Bible studies and remembering what kind of questions average layperson has as they read a text.

3. The ESVSB will be at the top of the list for adults and serious students when it's out. I've seen samples and - most important - looked at the list of contributors. A who's who of reliable, godly scholars. Can't wait. I also like that appropriate maps are right there on the page.

4. The NIV Study Bible has excellent notes, concordance, and topical index. Even handed, scholarly, helpful. Available in the NAS also.

5. Thompson Chain gets honorable mention because it tries so hard to keep you comparing Scripture to Scripture. But it's unfortunately a study Bible without an obvious market niche -- most helpful for a younger student of God's word, but hard to learn how to use effectively.

[Josh Montague]

5?

NiV Study Bible ain't bad.
Literary Study Bible = good.
ESVSB looks great.
I like Greek-English Interlinear stuff since I'm linguistically rusty.

Other than that ... how 'bout the Firefighter's Bible? Or the Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible?

[Sam Haist]

ESV Reformation SB
ESV Literary SB
ESVSB (Once it comes out)
NIV Archaeological SB
NIV Quest SB

[Joel]

I don't know if I can think of 5 I have or used...but I'll count the upcoming ESVSB along with

ESV Reformation SB
NIV SB
NKJV New Geneva SB
NKJV MacArthur SB

[Nathan]

I can recognize that there have been some preliminary peeks at the ESVSB, and I can appreciate the scholarship that is behind it; but how can people (specifically those here) actually endorse it prior to having actually incorporated it into their own personal study?

How can this be one of your Big 5 if you don't own a copy nor actually seen a copy in print?

I've really appreciated this Big 5 series of posts, but if everyone's accuracy on the other posts (as it appears with this one) is premised on word-of-mouth or some promotional material, then these lists become much less relevant for me.

(This is not meant to challenge the value of the ESVSB or the scholarship behind it; but until it has actually be incorporated into your study, it shouldn't be on your list...IMHO)

[Steve McCoy]

Nathan, I've allowed people to mention the ESVSB because I knew they some would anyway. By saying in my post that it doesn't come out until October shows that readers are putting it there without having used it. To question all the book recommendations based on this one forthcoming volume is a bit harsh, don't you think?

By the way, I know seminary professors (really, really good ones) who recommend commentaries and such without having read every single one. They know the author, the approach, the basic theological presuppositions, others who recommend it, etc and feel they can recommend or not based on that. I think it's safe to say if you like the ESV, the well-known pastors/scholars who like it, the people working on the SB, etc that you can recommend it.

[Stan McCullars]

I own, and use, two:

TNIV Study Bible
ESV Reformation Study Bible

I also use e-Sword regularly, but that's a different category.

I plan on purchasing the ESV Study Bible and the NLT Study Bible when they become available.

[Jamie Fugate]

Reformation Study Bible - ESV
Apologetics Study Bible - HCSB
Archaeological Study Bible - NIV
Life Application Study Bible - NIV (sentimental favorite)
MacArthur Study Bible - NASB

[Terry J]

Reformation Study Bible - ESV

NASB Study Bible (Zondervan)

Zodhiates Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible - NIV

MacArthur Study Bible - NKJV

ESV Study Bible (will undoubtedly make the list)

[Alex]

1. Reformation Study Bible (ESV) [I own a hardvoer & leather bound)
2. Zondervan Study Bible (NASB)
3. John MacArthur Study Bible (NASB)
4. Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
5. Literary Study Bible (ESV)

I'm not as "trendy" about the ESV Study Bible. I believe the hype is more about the people "endorsing" it, than the actual Bible. I'm still not sold on it.

[Michael]

Until the ESV Study Bible comes out, here is my current TOP FIVE:

#1 Spirit of the Reformation SB (NIV)
- my only nitpick is the presbyterian leanings on baptism, which makes me obviously a Reformed Baptist...BUT almost a perfect SB for myself!

#2 {Ligonier} Reformation SB (ESV)
- Great articles! But I like the notes in the "Spirit" (from Pratt and Frame) better though...

#3 MacArthur SB (NASB)
- Love the Scriptural references! Not too keen on the dispy leanings...but the amount of time and energy put into this is self-evident, a must have!

#4 Literary SB (ESV)
- The Perfect "Devotional" Bible! I read the ESV, and teach middle schoolers from the NIV; but sometimes have pulled this out for context and literary correctness. Awesome!

#5 Quest SB (NIV)
- I agree with Rae above that this is great for young students with many questions...also good for adults too!

I too look forward to the much-anticipated ESVSB. It might be hard to disconnect from my beloved "Spirit" though!!!

[Ben Pum]

NET (New English Translation) -- highly recommended for anybody interested in the greek/hebrew. thousands of translator's notes, textual criticism and other notes. I use the online version (www.nextbible.com), but I have one in print too.

NIV Study Bible
ESV Study Bible looks great.

[Ben Pun]

whoops, mispelled my name.

[Joel]

apparently my comment and sam haist's comment got mixed up - i wrote the comment attributed to him. oops!

[Carl]

NIV Study Bible
KJV Study Bible
MacArthur Study Bible
Quest Study Bible
Ryrie Study Bible

Incidentally, does anyone have an informed opinion on the Blackaby Study Bible and the Apologetics Study Bible? I've been thinking about adding those two.

[LayGuy]

MacArcthur Study Bible
Have a copy of the sweet ESV Study Bible coming my way soon.

[Steve McCoy]

Nice lists. I'm like some of you; I don't really use study Bibles much anymore. But I have some I've used before that I liked and a few I still reference regularly. My list...

ESV SB - is gonna be great. Can't wait.
NIV SB - my favorite for a long time
ESV Reformation SB - regularly use it
Literary SB - I really dig it for context and staying engaged in the text and not the notes
MacArthur SB - helpful to know what JohnnyMac is saying about a text

I used to use a Ryrie SB long before knowing his theology (or mine). I also liked the Thompson Chain as a young Christian, but haven't looked at it in years. Disciples SB - early in Christian life I used it and liked it

[Keith Walters]

The MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV & NASB) are the only study Bibles that I own