Many Christians can attest that of all the resources that have deepened their understanding of God’s Word, few have proven more important than a really good study Bible. A study Bible combines the text of Scripture with notes that help with both interpretation and application. Of course we acknowledge that there is a distinction between the words of Scripture and any other words that appear with them. Justin Taylor is correct when he says, “The most important feature in a study Bible is the horizontal line that divides the biblical text from the biblical interpretation.” That little line separates the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God from the non-inspired, possibly-errant, potentially-fallible words of men. Yet as long as we acknowledge the distinction between the two, we can find study notes a helpful supplement to the words of God.
While there are many study Bibles to choose from today, not all are equally good. In this article I want to address what distinguishes a really good study Bible from the ones that are mediocre or just plain bad. I’ll do that by offering several characteristics of a really good study Bible.
Characteristics of a Really Good Study Bible
A really good study Bible is doctrinally sound…
A really good study Bible has a sufficient quantity of notes…
A really good study Bible is based on a really good translation….
A really good study Bible helps sort out difficult doctrines…
A really good study Bible has helpful inline features…