November 29

What is your favorite Study Bible?

I’m back with another Ask Pastor Chris post! This is a question we both get quite a bit. 

 

Ask Pastor Chris: What is your favorite Study Bible?

Let me start by saying no one has ever paid me a dime to endorse a study Bible. I say that, because if I were reading this answer I would be suspicious that the writer’s true motivation was monetary. I assure you, that is not the case here.

Let me start by saying that I own shelves full of Bible commentaries, and I have a lot of high-dollar Bible software. Without a doubt the best bang-for-your-buck is a good study Bible. Unless you are doing scholarly writing, or spend a significant portion of your time teaching Bible, or preaching, commentaries are probably overkill for most people. A good study Bible will answer 90% of the questions you ask when you get stuck.

My favorite study Bible is the [earnist_link ref=”esv-study-bible-trutone-walnut” id=”18506″]ESV Study Bible[/earnist_link]. I use it all of the time, I give them as gifts to the graduating seniors at our church, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly—it is fantastic. I have had one for years and have no hesitations in suggesting others use it too.

Another good study Bible is the [earnist_link ref=”csb-study-bible-hardcover” id=”18437″]CSB Study Bible[/earnist_link]. This just came out this year, so I have not used it as much as I have the ESV. However, I have noticed that many of the study notes in the CSB are the same as the ESV, verbatim. I’m sure there are many that would do just fine, but these are my go-to study Bibles for the time being.


Chris Orr holds a Master Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as a senior pastor of Pioneer Baptist Church. Chris and Katie are former Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) staff members and parents to three children.

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I (Katie) couldn’t agree more! I love my ESV Study Bible. Beyond what Chris mentioned above, I love that you also get the e-version of the ESV Study Bible notes which you can access at esv.org and the ESB Bible app. All those helpful notes right at my fingertips!

Affiliate links present. At no additional cost to you, we receive a small portion of your purchase Thanks!

Have a question for Chris?

Keep them coming! Just leave your question in the comments, or you can email me


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Ask Pastor Chris, Teaching


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