FAQ: I want to buy a study Bible. How do I find a good one?

There are so many study Bibles on the market today, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. As with finding a good Bible translation, there are some questions you can ask yourself before beginning your research:

What's the reader's age?

The majority of study Bibles are fit for adults and mature teenagers. If the reader is younger, there are specialty Bibles available for kids as young as six. There are considerably fewer options for the younger age groups.

What Bible translation would you prefer?

Some study Bibles come in only one translation and others come in many. Selecting one or a few acceptable translations will lower the number of choices.

My take:
I personally prefer the New American Standard Bible for its accuracy, but, depending on the type of study Bible, I would also accept a New King James Version or Holman Christian Standard Bible and possibly a New International Version. When I chose the version for my Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible, I considered the NKJV and NIV, but determined that the purpose of the study Bible (i.e., to study the breadth of Scripture on different topics) would be more effectively met with the more literal NASB.

What is the primary purpose for the Bible? What kind of notes do you want? Is there a particular church tradition you're seeking?

Do you want a Bible that interprets the scripture for you or one that helps you apply it to your life? Do you want commentary-style notes? historical/archaeological notes? word study notes? reference notes? Some Bibles will have at least a little of each, but will be made up mostly of one or another type of note.

Just as there is no English Bible translation entirely free of some level of interpretation, neither is there a study Bible that does not have some level of interpretation. (Even the Thompson Chain Reference Bible and Nave's Topical Study Bible required some interpretation.) Some study Bibles are readily identifiable as ascribing to a particular theology, such as the Reformation Study Bible. Others you may have to research by finding out more about the person or group who put it together or through turning to several debated passages and reading the interpretation.

Tip:
You certainly don't have to stick to your own theological tradition. Sometimes it is good to be exposed to some alternate interpretations provided you are also studying the depth and breadth of the topic for yourself. Studying the topics for yourself protects against leaning more on the teachings of men than on what God actually said. Instead of ascribing to one side of an issue or the other, you may find yourself somewhere in the middle or determining that your understanding is not extensive enough to make a decision at the time. Don't forget that any study of the Bible should be bathed in prayer.

The Study Bible Shop at Christianbook.com is a good place to shop for a study Bible online. Their EasyFind for Bibles will help you narrow your search. The resources on the right hand side of the page are also helpful when looking for a study Bible. If you come across some unfamiliar terms while browsing the descriptions of the Bibles, you can use the Glossary of Bible Terms. You can also take a look at their list of Popular Study Bibles for Bibles that have stood the test of the masses.

I highly recommend looking inside a study Bible before buying it. Either check it out online or go to your local Christian store if they have it. Reading some of the notes and viewing the layout will help you determine how well it fits your expectations. Once you've found what you're looking for, congratulations! You have a Bible you're a lot more likely to use! Now before you open your Bible at home for the first time, be sure to read my article, A New Bible! Now What? to find out how you can get the most out of your new Bible.