Which Study Bible is Best? (2023 Reviews of Newer Popular Study Bibles)

In this video I'm reviewing a bunch of study Bibles. I like some a lot, and I'm not as fond of others. I'm offering my honest take, but I could be wrong about stuff. The goal of the video is to help you get a Bible in your hands that'll spark your curiosity and make you want to read and study the Bible a lot, and connect with God who I believe is on the other end of this document.
Here's a link to my previous video where I talk about what to look for in a general sense in a study Bible: • Ask These Six Question...
Here's a link to Samaritan Ministries who are not sponsoring this video, but who I've talked about in detail in other videos they did sponsor: samaritanministries.org/tmbh
Giant thank you to everyone who supports this channel. If you wanted to kick in or learn more about that, you can go to www.thetmbh.com/support

[@cyndiharrell518]

As a woman, I TOTALLY agree with your assertion that women's Bibles, and many of the women's Bible Studies, are watered down and geared toward an "emotional woman"! Like a woman doesn't have the capability to grasp a deep, theology study of His Word! Although I realize that many women desire this type of Bible, I personally find it very patronizing. Awesome video!! Thank you for your hard work!!

[@debbiesluss9849]

I agree. It kind of reminds me of women's pants compared to men's. There is a huge pocket disparity. Men's pockets are deeper, women's pockets are worthless. LOL

[@vickih5405]

I couldn’t agree more. I bought the esv women’s Bible solely for the aesthetic, I loved the illustrations and the gold accents. I use the notes and devotional sections as room to stick my posty notes so I’m not covering up scripture. I find it really insulting that the “women’s Bible” has the same notes featured as the “youth Bible”. Especially when Jen Wilkin one of the major contributors puts such an emphasis on quality rigorous Bible study in her books.

[@mnlizzi]

I've found similar, although the CSB women's Bible I have (The CSB Study Bible For Women) has so far been really wonderful with its notes and I haven't felt patronized at all so far!

[@TiciaM]

Totally agree with you. They are so often slacking with women's Bibles and Bible studies.

[@bobsmith-qu2oq]

So stop demanding you get a sexist book.

[@adamsmith_5]

0:00 Introduction 1:42 What do you want in a Study Bible? 4:52 Gospel Transformation Study Bible 8:00 Grace + Truth Study Bible 10:18 Enduring Voice Study Bible 12:27 Search the Scriptures Study Bible 14:32 Literary Study Bible 15:55 NLT Illustrated Study Bible 17:06 The Jesus Bible 20:10 ESV Student Study Bible 22:39 ESV Concise Study Bible 25:52 She Reads Truth Study Bible 30:35 He Reads Truth Study Bible 34:34 NKJV The Women's Study Bible 38:28 ESV Women's Study Bible 41:25 The Study Bible for Women 43:07 Ancient Faith Study Bible 48:41 Final Thought

[@darklard]

Thank you! This should be copied into the description so it's easy to reference when I think about this later

[@charliek2557]

You rock

[@mikeandersen5]

It's the little things that mean a lot in the Kingdom of God. Thank you for segmenting chapters.

[@djlclopez128]

Thanks for this information 👍

[@muvaanne4273]

Thank you! This is my second viewing, and I was just thinking about how practical this timestamp would be. God bless you!

[@erikaharlan252]

Thank you for your comment about the She Reads Truth Bible as well as other materials produced for women!! As an intelligent 45 year old female I struggle to attend women’s only Bible classes and I refuse to look at devotionals. Women are just as capable as men of learning the Bible as deeply. I understand many women do prefer the lighter items so I get the market. But personally I find them all lacking.

[@nitarose44]

I could not agree more! She Reads Truth is offensive to my brain. It lacks so much! I prefer a Bible with zero study notes to it.

[@michellelewis6247]

I am with you on this one!! 🙌🏽

[@Laura-ed5kf]

I want the He Reads Truth! Why CAN’T women study & love scripture, theology, & apologetics, whilst having NO intention of being a pastor?! My son asked a question about Abraham & I got to have a super-fun, engaging retelling of Abram through Joseph, & how it all pointed to Jesus! Who knows if I’M not raising a pastor, so stop treating me like I’m an idiot & dumb scripture down, because I’m not dumbing this down for my nine year-old.

[@Sardious]

@@Laura-ed5kf I'm sure you can get a Bible like that. But if you want a Bible like the ESV study Bible or the Reformation study Bible or some Bible to focus is on systematic theology then you get a Bible that focuses on systematic theology and not gender. As soon as you say I want a Bible for men you're going to get sports references and a lot of focus on doing doing over just the systematic theology and study. Also if you get a Bible marketed directly to women you're going to get something based on their survey of women and what women want when she's going to be much more about relationship and love and what not. But yeah if you want to study systematic theology you don't go get a women's Bible that you know is going to be mostly devotional for women because that's not systematic theology. There's a reason why the bass ESV study Bible or Life application Bible or Reformation study Bible doesn't say for men or for women because it's not it's for study. I think that's why I'm less offended when men's Bibles have a bunch of military and sports references and women's Bibles have a bunch of relationship and feelings-based references because you're only getting those bibles if you want those type of things like they're literally appealing to people who would want that. And I'm not putting you down for wanting some deeper research I'm just saying that once you get into specific things that are trying to cut out half the population and become more devotional by being specific then you're clearly going to lose the research because that's not their purpose and I don't see where that's really that much of a problem.

[@mercster]

Sounds like a modern reaction to modern culture with so much division anyway... why have a man or woman bible? The whole Bible is for everyone, and while there are certainly passages that address manhood or womanhood more... wouldn't everyone wanna understand and accept both halves? :) Considering we are supposed to be united anyway. Try the Companion Bible by E.W. Bullinger for a serious, scholarly study Bible.

[@starvingscientist]

As a woman, you are completely right about the patronizing women's bibles. Part of why I love your podcast is because it is actually studying the stuff I always wanted to growing up in Sunday school, the same stuff the boys in my church learned, but I wasn't allowed to.

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Wow!😳

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Starving scientist 🧐😕?

[@johnpearce3714]

@starvingscientist , The Written WORD of GOD is NOT " stuff " --- It's The ALMIGHTY GOD of the Universe 's , Cosmos , World ---- Instructions for Salvation and Eternal LIFE only through in HIM , HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON The LORD YESHUA / JESUS CHRIST ----- we should & must have total respect for HIS Written WORD --- * For The LORD YESHUA / JESUS CHRIST is the WORD of GOD ---- * The GOSPEL of John 1 VS.1 ---- 5 ------

[@debbieholt8261]

Wow! What church did you go to growing up? I never experienced that!

[@starvingscientist]

@@debbieholt8261 it was just a small community church. We never really tied to a particular denomination because it was more about serving the community that was pretty small. But a lot of the same misogyny and judgment that many people experience in many denominations

[@Tck911]

I’ve never read the Bible before and have been curious. The NLT Illustrated Study Bible appeals to me & I believe I’ll start there so thank you for putting this out to the world

[@MichaelTheophilus906]

I recommend the LSB. It's just a plain book binding, but an excellent bible.

[@jeffcarlson3269]

@@MichaelTheophilus906 I would recommend a good King James study bible... but I am partial to the King James translation AND I am partial to good study material... that being said... not every KJV study bible has been very impressive to me.... there are some of those that had been better if they had not been published... but if one had a GOOD KJV... study bible.... they would have something valuable... I like the ESV study bible... and I like the notes generally across the board in many Zondervan study bibles... but I am a little leery of many of the newer translations such as the CSB and LSB... and as Matt points out... regarding the notes in the "Enduring Voices"... study bible... I believe it is best to rely on notes by certain individuals... that were geared toward the bible used or studied by those individuals.... such as Spurgeon preached from the KJV.. so his notes fit in the KJV... yet the LSB developed by MacArthur.. among others... whose basic preaching bible has ranged from the NASB...ESV... and the NKJV..... MacArthur states he supports the LSB.. but when he preaches.. it is from the NASB... why?..

[@jonesfamily1494]

NLT would be good to understand but would recommend getting an additional translation as a 2nd read. Book of John is a great starting book.

[@knowone11111]

I love my NLT it's my favorite. I contrast it against KJV & Tanak.

[@BibleTreasuresAndReviews]

I can't believe the difference in the women's & men's Bible! I did a Bible review on She Reads Truth, but now wish I had the He Reads Truth! Thank you for speaking up for ladies and desire to study the Bible. Ancient Faith Bible looks amazing!

[@mugwerajenipher4760]

Ephesians2:8-9 it is for is his grace

[@michellelewis6247]

I totally resonate with your assessment of the She Read Truth/He Reads Truth Bible. It is indeed patronizing that the SRT Bible is completely lacking in any serious theological content and it is indicative of how so much content is written for women. It’s frustrating. Thank you for bringing that up and being honest in your comments! As an aside - the notes in other women’s study Bibles are almost always geared toward married women with children, as though women’s only value is found in those roles. As a single childless middle aged woman, I find this concept limiting to the depth of what it means to be a woman, and in particular a woman seeking God. That’s my “rant” on this subject… 😉 Blessings to you. Your ministry blesses me greatly.

[@Lorrainecats]

Totally agree

[@zanhoven]

Yes! This is why I buy a neutral Bible's. Am I any less of a woman because I don't have children? Do I not want to learn more about theology because I am a woman? I am a woman, so I must like flowers right (I do, but some women don't). I recently got a travel bible that was geared towards men and love it.

[@meninagreen5704]

Thanks for your rant! I agree. I avoid anything labeled for women as it is lacking in depth. You are also right about assumptions. I have no children or family and I just want to read the Word. Thanks!

[@barbs1298]

Can totally relate & agree. I have never owned a women's Bible nor do I want one & I'm over all the pink women's Bible. Never been a fan of pink. Growing up, my sister got all the pink stuff...I got the blue...lol. And I'm 63 & never been married & no children. So there's that too. And I stopped being a daughter after my mom died in Feb. 2022 after my sister & I caring for her the last 5 years of her life after her stroke.

[@zacbarnes2187]

You got me drooling over the ancient faith Bible... Now to convince my wife I need yet another Bible 🤣

[@HaydenSF]

I’ve recommended or purchased it for many friends over the last couple years and exactly no one has been disappointed.

[@chaseadams8018]

Checkout the new ESV church history study bible from crossway!

[@JesusAlwaysIsGod]

Just ordered one on Amazon! It's 2x the price in this part of the world! I wish it was more accessible to everyone...

[@claybrackeen8798]

It’s been such a blessing as I’ve read through it over the past 2 years. Inspiring!

[@dsvet]

I recommend the Defending the Faith study Bible from Apologetics Press in NKJV..

[@lynnetteferguson9687]

This was wonderful! Thanks so much for doing this.

[@Morning.Coffee]

Thank you so much for all these reviews!!!! 👍👍👍🏆⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📚 The goal of the video is to review various study Bibles, offering honest opinions and recommendations. 03:43 📚 Study Bibles differ in their focus, such as academic vs. devotional, nudge factor, targeting questions, portability, topicality, and bias. 08:48 📚 The "Gospel Transformation Study Bible" emphasizes getting back to the basics of the Bible's message for personal transformation. 09:58 📚 The "NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible" balances truth and grace for a deeper understanding of the Bible's teachings. 11:30 📚 The "Enduring Voices Study Bible" offers notes from various Christian thinkers across different traditions for a comparative perspective. 14:18 📚 The "Search the Scriptures Bible" provides light nudges and questions, but may lack depth and clarity compared to other study Bibles. 14:45 📚 The "Literary Study Bible" focuses on the literary aspects of the Bible, helping readers appreciate the beauty and structure of the text. 15:55 📚 The "NLT Illustrated Study Bible" is a comprehensive general-purpose study Bible with beautiful presentation and insightful notes. 17:03 📚 The "Jesus Bible NIV" emphasizes the convergence of the entire Bible on the life and teachings of Jesus, but may overly prioritize this theme. 20:12 📚 The "ESV Student Study Bible Artist Series" stands out for its artistic and beautiful presentation, combining art and biblical insights for young readers. 22:13 🤔 Some study Bibles can be patronizing towards certain audiences, but there are exceptions. 23:10 📘 The ESV Study Bible is a comprehensive and highly recommended study Bible. 25:09 📚 The Gospel Transformation Study Bible takes a different approach, focusing on big picture themes and application. 26:16 📖 The "She Reads Truth Bible" has a more devotional feel with fewer traditional study Bible features. 30:39 📖 The "He Reads Truth Bible" offers more in-depth study features compared to the "She Reads Truth Bible." 34:41 📖 The "New King James Version Women's Study Bible" has specific notes and articles targeted towards women. 38:48 📖 The "Crossway ESV Women's Study Bible" is a study Bible that effectively treats women as capable readers without being patronizing. 43:10 🏛️ The "Ancient Faith Study Bible" gathers commentary from the church fathers, making it a valuable resource for various Christian traditions. 45:37 📖 The "Ancient Faith Study Bible" offers insights from Christian thinkers throughout history, providing valuable context and perspectives on biblical passages. 46:17 🏛️ This Bible includes writings from early Christian leaders, even before the Bible was fully agreed upon, giving readers a glimpse of how scripture was interpreted in different historical contexts. 47:26 📜 The church fathers' writings reveal that they were in transition and did not think the exact same way at every moment, creating an opportunity for fresh reflection and challenges in interpreting their texts. 48:38 🌟 The "Ancient Faith Study Bible" is highly recommended and meaningful for Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, or anyone interested in rich historical insights into the Bible. Made with HARPA AI

[@teresawoods5099]

Thanks Matt! Love these videos. Very insightful and helpful.

[@AlanDayley]

The quality of this video and the information is so high. Thank you!

[@Heroniak]

This is a genuinely incredible run down. Thank you and keep up the good work man. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated by many =)

[@jahintx]

Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful work, brother. I always finish your videos just a little wiser.

[@sanskritprayers]

You did well in this review, I learned a thing or two (or three) that are helpful to my decision-making as I expand my study Bibles. Thank you.

[@carol622]

Thank you. I enjoyed and appreciated your review. Well done!!

[@anyadutton1085]

What an absolutely brilliant video, answering urgent questions we had in such a detailed and systematic and both faith and practicality driven way. Absolutely brilliant thank you so much.

[@VirgOboi469]

Thank you for going through the different study bibles....I will certainly try to purchase a couple ...thank you and HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE 🎄✨️🎁

[@sethplace]

That is what I love about my wife. She is brilliant and our bible study is crazy awesome because of her deep understanding. l I love your videos Matt.

[@lunemoon3643]

I'm within my first year of learning and this has helped me, thank you !

[@survivedsavedjohn1468]

Excellent work and review my brother. Good stuff thank you

[@LifeInGray696]

Thank you!!! This was really helpful!

[@slonekettering25]

Yay! Been waiting for this one!

[@jessicaworks6940]

Looking forward to more of these in the future. I see a couple in the stack to your right that I either have or have considered.

[@idawilcox5275]

Very informative - Thank you

[@Ozgipsy]

Excellent video, thanks.

[@ggarza]

Thanks, Matt! Fantastic video that helps to drill down on the overwhelming number of Bibles available. I love the Ancient Faith Study Bible!

[@MsEscobar3]

Not sure how I found your video but I’ve been shopping for a study Bible for years! This was so helpful!!! Thank you! Amazing that you accumulated so many and I love the comparison so I could focus on what’s important for me. Big props to the work you put into this.

[@chai__tea]

Thanks for this great resource!

[@taykdew]

Thank you for this video!

[@adport1]

This video and the video you referenced in this one just earned you a new viewer out of me. I love how you broke down each of the Bibles that you reviewed and I really appreciated your rant during the She Reads/He Reads Truth section. I’ve owned an SRT bible for a while now, but didn’t know how much it lacked in comparison to the HRT bible.

[@abugprobably]

I’ve watched this video probably a dozen times to help me buy a study Bible I can really dig into. Tonight I ordered the NLT Illustrated in leather and some book tabs to match it. I’m very excited.

[@jaine2164]

Thanks for sharing!

[@susanbender6029]

Thank you for this video. This and the previous video was very helpful and informative. 👍👍

[@dadvswildpodcast]

Great breakdowns. Thank you. This has helped and steered me towards purchasing a couple from this list. 🙏🏽

[@Art_Fulsop]

Splendid overview of a rich and diverse array of books, each offering unique perspectives and insights. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your dedicated efforts; they are truly valued and appreciated.

[@SearchFT]

Thank you for the great reviews and the way you done it. God bless

[@TK-qu1ht]

Hey Matt. Tom from at Shiloh. I bought both the NLT and Ancient Faith Bibles for my wife Linda’s and my 2023 daily read thru the Bible in a year times. Lots of your time and efforts went into the content for this video. Thank you! I’m one of you regular watchers and Listener. Tom Kushman

[@catherinetravella6293]

Your candor, humor and wisdom are valued… there are so many Bible reviewers that don’t get into what’s really important beyond the aesthetic issues (for a variety of reasons) thus bringing value to what you’re doing. We bought the NLT illustrated study Bible and our whole family loves it from age 11 to 40+, it’s a great family Bible to keep in our living room! The ESV student bible may be our next purchase for 2023!

[@annamccormick6864]

Aaaand that final one has just made it to my Christmas list!

[@SteveTTTT]

Have watched 3 of your Study Bible videos tonight. Am leaning toward the last one presented here and the Church History Study Bible in another video.

[@jessiepyles2423]

God bless you for your work! This is very helpful and insightful.

[@mendyhand3895]

Thank You SO MUCH! 🙏🏻👍🥁

[@FruitOfTheSpirit]

Great video! I did not know about some of these!

[@schmoedanz7809]

Thanks Matt, God bless

[@JordanCrowderFilms]

Great overview! I really like “The Open Bible.” Because it’s mostly hands off, but helps bring history and context, but sparks curiosity to dig through on your own with the chain references. I also like how it lays flat. I went ahead and put tabs on mine, because I ain’t fooling anybody, they help me move quickly. Plus my dad had tabs on his when I was a kid, and I thought his Thompson Chain Reference Bible was pretty cool and luxurious then, so it makes me think of him, how he became a Christian when we were kids and lead our whole family to Christ.

[@pambonbrake2230]

Awesome video! So enjoyed this!

[@srqsoccer]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge. I left the church about 10 years ago. But a few years back ended up getting into No Dumb Questions just looking for a good Two Dudes Talking podcast. NDQ quickly became one of my favorites. Your words, among other things, have contributed in what has been a reconstruction of my walk with God. I've recently found a loving church to worship in and I have purchased the Ancient Faith Study Bible on your glowing recommendation. Two years ago I was at my lowest point, with no hope for the future, things couldn't be more different now. Some percentage of that is because of the work you've done. I am grateful for it. Thank you.

[@isaacstovell867]

recently purchased a copy of the NLT illustrated study Bible & thrilled to hear it's one of your faves. I've been finding it incredibly fruitful - the notes are an excellent blend of devotionally-oriented insight & historical/cultural/philosophical reflections that help you understand the text better. thank you for another great video! keep doing what you doing, Matt x

[@Sardious]

I have the Life application study Bible in the NLT translation. So it's not the one he talked about in this video because it's one that came out last year. And while the study notes in the maps are in everything are pretty solid in the Life application Bible it was my first time reading through the Bible in the NLT or using the NLT at all and to me that's what was amazing. Every time I felt like something was worded uniquely and I broke out other tools to do a word study I found out that would have basically meant was how it was worded in the NLT and it seems to be the basic understanding of how people in the day would have read it. And it was nice to have something that held up to how the original readers would have understood it but in something that felt almost like conversational English. I ended up buying a small paperback and NLT Bible just as like a daily driver they can hang out in my gym backpack and travel around with me.

[@denisemaryott6014]

Wow, this was wonderful information. I have found my next Bible after watching this presentation, and am very happy that I did not buy 2 of the bibles you reviewed. I have put the Ancient Faith Study Bible in my Amazon cart for a future purchase. I had absolutely no knowledge of this Bible prior to today. I am so happy to have come across this video. Thank you so much!

[@SilverFoxActual]

Informative and thought provoking. I like it. I also dig the Skyrim icons over the sliders in the early “spectrum” discussion.

[@debbeb4499]

Thanks for this, Matt. Great stuff! Just placed an order for the Ancient Faith Bible on your recommendation.

[@kerimurphy4240]

I greatly appreciate your hard work and honesty. I might look into the concise bible

[@Ladrosify]

Thank you for this post, this is exactly what I havr been looking for. I just learned last year that there are study Bibles (as a Finnish and evangelical lutheran, we really do not have these, so I got english catholic Bible wich has been really helpful and now I am looking for more.

[@InSearchofTruththruJesusChrist]

Thank you Matt for doing this review. I was unaware of the Ancient Faith Bible by Holman. I have it ordered now. It will be a welcome addition to my collection of Bibles.

[@JacobErtel]

I was hoping to see a review of one or two study Bibles that put the notes into a smartphone app. You covered one of these in the previous video, but with not as much depths as I was looking for. Thanks for making this video. I still benefited from it greatly!

[@mmelton2115]

Thanks for the video Matt! Super helpful, as always. Please consider doing a video on some kids or family geared study bibles in the future. I would love to hear your thoughts on the popular options for kids currently available out there. Hope you have a good Christmas season!

[@LisaVanGemert]

Thanks so much! I found great Bibles for my daughters-in-law for Christmas! I know it would be a lot more work, but I would love it if you included an ISBN for the Bibles. It was surprisingly hard to find the ones you were talking about! 🙂

[@johnbutler4631]

I really love your channel: your honest winsomeness, your curiosity, your passion for God and love for His Word and His people. If I had chosen a different career path and had done seminary (which I may yet do, though I'm 49 now), and if I then decided to take it to KZbin ... (a lot of if's)... This is the kind of content I'd want to create. And I just may have to get that Ancient Faith Study Bible. It looks awesome.

[@victoriatong777]

Thank you! I've gotten the Ancient Faith Study Bible based on your recommendation. It didn't disappoint at all. And I got a lot of new insight from it that changed the way I saw some parts of the Bible!

[@jreaves11]

Excellent! Your presentation of the Ancient Faith Study Bible made me want to purchase one. Wonderful job!!!!

[@Nornagest84]

Thanks for this - I mostly use German bibles, but it's very interesting how many great (study) bibles there are on the English market. Chapters would be helpful. Keep up the great work and God bless you! 🙏

[@annacbrown1986]

That alone was worth it for me to learn English as foreign language, the sheer amount of Christian literature available in English ❤ Auf Deutsch lese ich die Schlachter MacArthur Studienbibel

[@clarecarr7480]

Wonderful, helpful video

[@pambonbrake2230]

I love your graphics!!!!

[@jreaves11]

Brilliantly and thoroughly done--Especially on the Ancients Study Bible!

[@jeffshouse3695]

I just discovered The Ancient Faith Bible a couple months ago. I completely agree with you about it. It is my "go to" Bible as I study for each Sunday. It has deeply challenged me and I could not appreciate it more. I had been kind of using the Orthodox Study Bible because it does some of the same things, but this one just does it better. (p.s. Totally agree with you about she reads truth, my wife rolls her eyes every time some mentions it. lol)

[@isllenne27]

I want to buy this one but the picture on the cover it's different on the shopping online 😭😭😭 now I'm lost can u please help me 😞 the one I see have a cross on the cover on Blackwell and on Book depository...

[@jeffshouse3695]

@@isllenne27 I went on Blackwell's Site and searched for "Ancient Faith Study Bible". The one I have is the brown one with the cross on the cover and says CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible in the description. I did the same thing on Book Depository had more options but all of them except the Epic Science and the book by Roger Dallman is the same. Hope this helps.

[@birdieroo3115]

This is so insightful and helpful. Thank you, Brother. Subscribing!

[@scotteramsey]

I'm only familiar with the ESV Study Bible as it is my daily reader. I love it and it has great commentary.

[@yellow8954]

So happy that i watch this video, i decided to govwith the ESV student study bible and I am loving it.

[@elizabethhankins6973]

I still come back here and watch your unboxing of The Jesus Bible for kicks and giggles. I’ve also showed it to some of my kids. My four-year-old said, “I want that!” So…there’s your target audience for the cover. :P Thanks so much for speaking up about patronizing materials for women in your comparison of the (S)He Reads Truth Study Bibles! Very grateful for that!

[@homesteadgal4143]

Great video! I'm so pleased with your reviews on the ESV Concise Study Bible because I just bought this last week. I'm getting ready to add some tabs on the side and then I will begin using this Bible as my daily study Bible & reference/guide book. It's been an adjustment going from a lifetime of KJV Bibles to a different translation. I tried both NIV and NLT, but I kept tripping up on my KJV memory and verses I've been comforted with most of my life. Thanks so much for your reviews.

[@Mrsadams1]

Great video. So helpful. As a woman, I absolutely agree with your thoughts on most women's bibles being patronizing and rather substance-less. I appreciate your bringing that up. Also, you didn't cover the Bible (I assume it is a study Bible) that you use in most of your videos. Is that because you talked about it in a different one? Anyway, thanks for the great video and for making one of my favorite channels on KZbin. 😊

[@Sardious]

I assume that these were study Bibles that were published this year so even if there are republished they still republished during this actual year. That's probably why a nkjv or an NLT Life application study Bible wasn't on the list despite them being one of the highest selling study Bibles out there. There must be like 200 different types of study Bibles so it's probably a great idea to only put out ones published in the current year or maybe ones that are brand new for the current year just to be able to not have to make a 5-hour video on it all.

[@houston-coley]

Excellent stuff, Matt. The passion in your voice talking about the patronizing biblical resources for women was palpable. So glad to hear it. Side note: after finishing ANDOR last week, I was struck by how much it has in common thematically with the story of The Gospels in the sense that it's about a group of previously disengaged people being radicalized by something to the point where they're willing to give up their lives for it. It made me think a lot about the change that had to happen in The Disciples to make them go from normal people to committed martyrs. Probably helps that Cassian Andor looks quite a bit like Simon Peter in The Chosen! I'd love to see your video about Andor.

[@dino575]

Great reviews! The Ancient Faith Study Bible is a true treasure ... im not big into the CSB but they got this right. Beautiful Bible and the notations do challenge but all are worthy to read through. Thanks for putting this together ) ++

[@zoraidahegarsiervadelsenor6583]

Thank you for the bible presentation...

[@anonymousbrowsing6726]

I like your comments on the Ancient Study Bible.... Provoking....I will buy it...

[@Boudleaux]

Thank you for this video. I appreciate the effort and hard work you out into this. It was very helpful. I laughed at, "Oh my goodness, I own that now," Haha!

[@Llllbbb.123]

Sadly the NLT illustrated bible has teeny 7 point font. Large font in scripture but teeny notes. Seniors can’t read it.

[@nitarose44]

Patronizing is the perfect description! I flipped through the She Reads Truth Bible a couple months ago at a book store after seeing it all over Instagram and KZbin. I find it offensive, self-centered and theologically pretty empty. The notes in it are a waste of space. I'd prefer blank pages. I feel the same about most womens' devotional books. Scripture is so much deeper than flowery feel-good nonsense. It seems there is an attempt to "dumb down" scripture and just hand us women enough info to try to appease us. That's not cool. I want the cultural background and the true meaning behind the Hebrew and Greek. I don't see myself buying any womens' study Bibles ever. The entire Bible is written for all of us. Even the passages that refer to the roles of the opposite sex hold valuable scripture for each of us. I mean- even Proverbs 31 is from a mother to her son. With that being said, I'm waiting for an NLT interleaved Bible to come out. I prefer my study notes to be what I find across commentaries. Great video! I put a couple of these on my Amazon wish list.

[@erikaharlan252]

I feel the same about all of this!!

[@ashleysbored6710]

Totally agree. I think that making 'women's' or 'men's' study Bibles is pointless because God's Scripture is relevant to all and it doesn't need to be changed for whatever person is reading it. Do we take out half of Ephesians next?

[@isllenne27]

Thank you for sharing I like the way you speak it's clear and straight to the point without feelings sorry honest with what u think but still charming... Thank you... Sorry my broke English.

[@CoffeeandBibleNerd1985]

Dude because of you i got me a ESV study bible but your right its BIG but its awsome!!!!!

[@robertkollath8929]

Great set of reviews. Really helpful happy new year I subscribed

[@ScottSteubing]

When I was looking for a new study bible at the start of the year, I decided on the CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible, and I love it. It is a gorgeous Bible.

[@-johnny-deep-]

This was a great video comparison of study bibles. You're obviously a very smart and charismatic guy. If you're not already a preacher, you could be an excellent one!

[@coffeeanddavid]

The Lutheran Study Bible is where it's at ;) The Word on Fire Bibles are REALLY gorgeous and interesting too.

[@TheStevenstatzer]

I'm only halfway through this video, but I absolutely love what Crossway is doing right now with a lot of their bibles. My previous everyday carry bible was a personal reference ESV given to me at my College Graduation (Private Presby school for the win), and my newest is a thinline ESV I got from Truth For Life on Black Friday. I've got a couple study bibles from them as well, and their quality is just out of this world.

[@kakelso]

Glad to hear, because I ordered a study Bible from Crossway right before seeing this video!

[@christmascarol23827]

Crossway bible's are the way to go! Can get them so reasonable now. Not a fan of hardback book type. Women's bible's can't get into have a few will donate them. Great tips. Can't wait to share this video with others in our group.

[@SurferKroky]

@@kakelso they are amazing !

[@sigfreed11]

Hey Matt thanks so much for doing this! I’m really wanting to “get back into reading the Bible” and this is very helpful. A slider bar I’d like to see/add is “readability.” All translations and bibles are good, but thought for thought are much easier than word for word to read as a story. Easy readability for me is the most important slider, so that I actually pick it up and read, but that’s just me. I think a slider for it would be good to help everyone understand what that Bible is going to give them

[@ravesp35]

Word on Fire Bible would be fascinating for you to review. Great Adventure Bible too.

[@nathanmatecki3987]

Legit laughed at 45:33 "Show 'em the letter!" Excellent review. Thank you!

[@tankersleytyler]

I literally ordered the Ancient Faith Study Bible yesterday! So pleasantly surprised to see how enthusiastic you recommend it, brother.

[@lydiatostenson2326]

Thank you for your comments on women-focused material being watered down and emotionally leaning to a pandering extent. It’s a chronic issue in books and studies as well. Your comment section will be flooded with others just like mine, your work is appreciated! :)

[@carol622]

Thank you. I was on the fence to buy an Ancient Faith study bible. I needed a good review to buy another study bible for the content.

[@samuelspicer7468]

Hey Matt! Great video as always. Since it seems you’ve looked into this, maybe just a wee bit. I was wanting to get your opinion on my favorite study Bibles, the New Oxford Annotated Bible and New Interpreter’s Study Bible.

[@JoyceHAnderson-rp5bf]

I absolutely adore my large print Amplified Study Bible. It's the most helpful I've ever seen anywhere.

[@Kiki-qh7xk]

Nice content. I just got a KJV Holman' study Bible. So happy!

[@vickih5405]

The NLT illustrated study Bible is SO AWESOME!!!!

[@dovepeacescarlet1]

First time here and this was very helpful please stay honest I like that, it helps me see why you don’t like and why! I subscribed - I love the guide you set it will help me! Must listen again I need a study bible

[@selahr.]

The CSB Ancient Faith SB has a nice Kindle version for less than $10. It’s a screen friendly layout where the footnotes and study notes are hyperlinked within the Bible text and then arranged at the end of each chapter for easy reading without having to jump around between links. The Kindle Sample however did completely useless and does not contain any of the Bible text or footnotes or study notes because it ends before the table of contents ends!

[@ernestsantiago6700]

Hi ya Matt ! Funny quick story. I Been having the pull sort to say and so recently purchased a study bible. So happends it is the Ancient Faith Study Bible. Received it the other day. Enjoy the different perspectives of early Christian writers and thoughts from different time periods while reading the Word. Just cool to see it reviewed by you. Awesome work by the way.