New Bibles/Study Bible Comparison
One of our reviewers, Bob Pike, was asked to compare several newly published bibles and bible study guides. Following are his comments and comparisons.
Each of the books has its own review. See new genre, “Bibles.”
Choosing a Study Bible
By Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame
How do you choose a study Bible? There are at least four things to consider in getting a study Bible that is right for you.
1. The first is which TRANSLATION you want to use. Most translations are either word for word or thought for thought. A few are somewhere in between. Accompanying this article we have a table that provides a brief discussion of fifteen of the more popular English translations. We’ve also provided a sample verse so that you compare all the translations. Try reading each version of the verse out loud.
2. Look at the FOCUS of the study Bible. Most study bibles are developed around a theme. For example, the Archeological Study Bible places an emphasis on providing archeological research that brings the Bible as a whole, as well as individual incidents to life. The Women’s Study Bible, on the other hand, provides study notes and articles that have been written by contemporary women of faith like Ann Graham Lotz, Kathy Troccoli, and others. It also has over 100 detailed character studies of Bible women. So take the time to understand what the study Bibles you’re considering really focus on – and ask yourself if that’s the focus that you’re looking for.
Since study Bibles are relatively expensive compared to other Bibles you’re probably going to buy just one initially – so you want to take your time to get something that will really meet your needs. And take advantage of the guidance this article and the accompanying charts and descriptions provide. We’ve invested almost 600 hours in doing homework for you.
3. Consider the BACKGROUNDS OF THE EDITORS of the study Bibles you are considering. Are they conservative in their view of scripture, believing II Timothy 3:16 -17 (NKJV): “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Or are they liberal in their theology, holding to a view that some parts of the Bible are not for today? While their viewpoints will not affect the text of the Bible itself (unless they have also done the translation) – it will definitely influence the study notes, commentary, etc. that they provide around the text.
Some study Bibles were prepared by a single person, for example, The MacArthur Study Bible. Most are prepared by a team of editors, each providing his or her expertise in a particular area. The New Living Translation Study Bible and The Life Application Study Bible are two examples that fall into this category. Take the time to read about the editors (this information is generally in the front of the Bible) and the institutions that they represent.
4. Look at the TYPES OF HELPS the study Bible gives you as you pursue your knowledge of the Word of God. Do you want maps, a concordance, a glossary, an index, study helps, book introductions, character studies, book outlines, chain references that can lead you to a variety of verses that focus on the same topic, etc? All too often we focus on what’s in the study Bible and we overlook what’s missing – until we really need it the first time!!
A good study Bible can enrich your reading and study of the Word of God. Remember the words of Psalm 119:105 (NKJV): “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Description of 15 Bible Translations with a Sample Verse for Comparison
By Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame
First is description of contents, followed by an example.
Bible Translation Amplified® Bible (AMP) Using the American Standard version as a base, text uses brackets and parentheses to expand on the basic text to provide fuller meaning
Bible Sample Verse We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our legitimate province and proper limit, but will keep within the limits [of our commission which] God has allotted us as our measuring line and which reaches and includes even you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP)
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English Standard Version (ESV)
A literal update of the Revised Standard Version – more readable than the King James Version 8th grade reading level – Translation philosophy: Word for word
But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
Good News Translation (GNT)
A thought-for-thought translation. “A translation intended for people everywhere for whom English is either their mother tongue or an acquired language.” Published in 1976 and revised in 1990, this translation is The Good Book that reads like a good book.
As for us, however, our boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (GNT)
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A balance between word for word and thought for thought, produced by the oldest Bible publisher in America, based on the work of 90 scholars.
We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB)
King James Version (KJV)
A word-for-word translation by 54 scholars at the 12th grade level due to the 17th century English. Most widely accepted of all English translations, but one of the most difficult to read.
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
New American Bible (NAB)
Written at the mid 6th grade level in modern English, though with a more formal style. The official Mass Bible of the Roman Catholic Church in America. Published in 1970, it is the work of 50 scholars. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)
But we will not boast beyond measure but will keep to the limits God has apportioned us, namely to reach even to you.
New American Standard, Updated (NASB)
But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)
Written at the 11th grade level in a formal, yet readable style. A word-for-word translation by 54 translators, it was first published in 1971 and entirely revised in 1995. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NAB)
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Written at the 3rd grade level as a simplification of the NIV and intended for young readers or those with English as a second language. A blend of word for word and thought for thought, and simplified to help bring out the meaning of the text. Published as a whole in 1996 and revised in 1998.
But I won’t brag more than I should. Instead, I will brag only about what I have done in the area God has given me. It is an area that reaches all the way to you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NIrV)
New International Version (NIV)
Written at the 8th grade level as a combination of word for word and thought for thought. The work of 155 translators, it is an accurate and readable modern English version of the bible. Most widely used and trusted among conservative Christians.
We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
New King James Version (NKJV)
A modern update of the original King James version produced by 130 translators at an 8th grade reading level. Completed in 1982, it is a word for word translation that retains a lot of the familiarity of the original KJV.
We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Written at the 6th grade level it is a thought for thought translation by 90 translators. Highly readable using common vocabulary and language structures.
But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The work of 30 translators, it is balance of word for word and thought for thought. Written at the tenth grade level. First published in 1952 and revised in 1989.
We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (NRSV)
Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI)
First published in 1998 it follows the principles of the English NIV. The work of 20 scholars it follows functional equivalence (thought for thought) yet is literal (formal equivalence) whenever possible. Reads clearly in the contemporary Spanish common to the Americas.
Nosotros, por nuestra parte, no vamos a jactarnos más de lo debido. Nos limitaremos al campo que Dios nos ha asignado según su medida, en la cual también ustedes están incluidos. 2 Corintios 10:13 (NVI)
The Message
Written at the fourth grade level by Eugene Peterson it is a paraphrase that is thought for thought whenever possible. Reads easily in modern-day American speech, capturing the rhythms and idioms of the original language and context and brings them into modern English.
We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, the quite miss the point. We aren’t making outrageous claims here. We’re sticking to the limits of what God has set for us. But there can be no question that those limits reach to and include you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)
Today’s New International Version (TNIV)
The work of 115 translators, it is a balance of word for word and thought for thought building on the NIV. Written at the 8th grade level, it updates the NIV with respect to textual, linguistic, and historical issues.
We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 2 Corinthians 10:13 (TNIV)
Each of the books has its own review. See new genre, “Bibles.”