How to Choose a Bible
By: Suzanne Rhodes
As the most popular book of all time, it is estimated that around 80 million Bibles of all varieties are printed every year. If you’re thinking about buying a new Bible, the options can seem overwhelming. What translation do I choose? Do I need a Study Bible? Do I want a Bible for journaling? There are so many decisions involved in picking out a Bible, so we’ve created a practical guide to help you make the choice that is best for you!
Things to Consider When Choosing a Bible
What Type of Bible Translation Do You Need?
First, consider what translation you prefer in a Bible. There are hundreds of Bible translations available, but we’re going to focus on just a few of the major translations. The three main categories of Bible translations include formal, dynamic, and paraphrase.
- Pros: Great to study unique words and phrases. Best for those who want a more precise translation from Greek and Hebrew.
- Cons: Reading the text is sometimes difficult and awkward for modern English readers.
- These Bible translations include: English Standard Version (ESV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), or the King James Version (KJV)
- Pros: Easier to read, especially for children or for people whose primary language is not English.
- Cons: The text is not as precise for communicating specific words or phrases that the original authors used.
Paraphrase Translations
- Pros: Can help enhance the entire meaning of a passage or provide additional commentary for a text.
- Cons: Not recommended to read these translations by themselves. They are best paired with a formal or dynamic translation Bible.
Do you need to use a study Bible?
The purpose of study Bibles is to take the vast biblical information that exists—maps, charts, commentaries, dictionaries, etc.—and to compile it all into one cohesive Bible. These resources are great for diving into the historical backgrounds and literary translations as well as understanding how each text fits into the overarching message of the gospel. However, these resources can also be distracting from the actual biblical text and can be bulky to carry around.
If you are not interested in buying a study Bible but still want to learn more about Bible study methods, biblical context, Bible translations, and much more, check out the Daily Grace Co’s newest resource, The Bible Study Handbook! This resource can help equip you to study the Bible deeply on your own, with or without the help of a study Bible.
Check out some of our favorite Study Bibles:
- ESV Study Bible | Abide
- ESV Study Bible Trutone | Wondrous Things
- ESV Study Bible | Personal Size in Black Leather
Do you need space for journaling?
Taking notes in a classroom encourages engagement with the material and can also help boost memory and focus. Journaling Scripture is no different! Journaling is a great tool to help you dive deeper into Scripture, and journaling Bibles are designed to help you interact better with the passages you read. However, keep in mind that larger margins often reduce the font size of the biblical text, which can be difficult for some people to read.
Check out some of our favorite journaling Bibles:
- ESV Journaling Study Bible | The Word
- ESV Journaling Study Bible | The Story of Redemption
- ESV Journaling Study Bible | Blessing
With so many Bible options to choose from, we might at first experience decision paralysis, but hopefully by breaking down Bible translations, study Bibles, and journaling Bibles, we’ve made the choice a little easier! Remember that God’s Word has the power to transform lives no matter which Bible you choose!
