5 Reasons a Christian Should Buy a Study Bible

1. A Study Bible is the Bible and More

Study Bibles not only contain the full text of a regular Bible, but they also usually contain a great number of valuable resources that you can use to understand what is truly being said in the Bible. For example, the Zondervan NIV Study Bible (one of our recommended all-purpose study Bibles) has plenty of resources:

• Full text of the most read, most trusted New International Version. • Over 20,000 study notes, thoroughly revised and updated by a team of NIV translators. • Icons make important information easy to spot. • 900 Character Profile icons. • 425 Archaeology icons. • Almost 3,000 Personal Application icons. • Introductions and outlines provide valuable background information for each book of the Bible. • In-text maps, charts, diagrams, and illustrations visually clarify the stories in the Bible. • 16 pages of full-color maps plus timelines and presentation page. • Words of Christ in red. • NIV concordance plus subject and study notes indexes.

Update: They have released a new edition with even more features (we linked to it). We also recommend the Life Application Study Bible for those only wanting to specifically apply Bible verses to their lives.

2. Sometimes the Regular Bible Can Feel Like an Instruction Manual of Quantum Physics

I don't know about you, but if I wanted to learn something like quantum physics I certainly wouldn't pick up a book that was titled "Quantum Physics for the Advanced." I would, however, pick up a book that was titled "Quantum Physics For Dummies" or some other book that is easy to read and one full of detailed explanations (and one that doesn't put me to sleep). Similarly, many people feel that a regular Bible is too difficult to understand (and, therefore, take things out of context) and as a result they stop reading it or, even worse, they fall asleep on it.

3. Study Bibles Help You Understand What's Going On in the Right Context

If you're not careful, you can misinterpret what the Bible is actually trying to say. For example, in Matthew 5:28-29 (NIV), we are told to basically pluck our eyes out if we look at a woman with lustful eyes. Furthermore, in Matthew 5:30 (NIV), we are told to cut off our right hand if it causes us to sin. A person that takes these verses out of context might make the mistake of actually plucking out their eyes or cutting off their hand. To fully understand what is truly being said, here is what the Zondervan NIV Study Bible has to say on these verses: "Jesus is not teaching self-mutilation, for even a blind man can lust. What he is saying is that we should deal as drastically as necessary with sin." See how much more clear that was?

4. Study Bibles Can Help You Apply Bible Verses to Your Life Situations More Easily

In Luke 6:37 (NIV), we are told not to judge others. So if you witness someone doing something wrong, you may think "I will not judge or correct them, for only God should judge them," but this is incorrect. Again, let's see what the Zondervan NIV Study Bible has to say on this verse: "Jesus did not relieve his followers of the need for discerning right and wrong, but he condemned unjust and hypocritical judging of others." An example of "hypocritical" judging would be to announce to the public (friends, family, etc)  that you are "better" than someone who only goes to church on Sundays and gets drunk and has premarital sex every other day, while you are (secretly) doing the exact same thing they are.

Update: We also recommend the Life Application Study Bible for those only wanting to specifically apply Bible verses to their lives.

5. Study Bibles Usually Provide the Fastest Credible Answers

Normally if you have a question about a specific Bible verse you could always ask a pastor or minister, go online, or just ask a friend. Each of those methods, depending on your situation, can be inconvenient for you, however. This is where a study Bible comes into play. All you have to do is flip to the page where it discusses the Bible verse in full detail, and then you're all set! About the credibility, usually study Bibles are made by multiple evangelical scholars (or experts) in the field of Christianity - which is definitely the case with the Zondervan NIV Study Bible. This is why even we like to verify all of our information and research with the use of study Bibles.

Recommended Study Bibles:

1. Zondervan Study Bible (the all-purpose study Bible).
2. Life Application Study Bible (for applying Bible verses to your life).