Customer Reviews

NIV Study Bible

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Every time I go into the Christian bookstore, I see a new jazzed up version of the Bible. There's the Men's/Women's Devotional Bible, the Life Application Bible, the Teen Bible, the One Year Bible, on and on. However, I have yet to find any version worthy of replacing my faded, water stained and worn NIV study Bible.

The thing I like best about this Bible is that it is helpful without being intrusive. If I want to just read the text, fine. It's nicely printed with some room for my own little musings on the side margins. The type is not so small that I am straining my eyes, nor is it overcrowded. The pages are necessarily thin, but not so thin that the text on the other side is bleeding through.

And, if I ever want help with the text, the notes are right below, ready to offer me concise insights or suggestions for further reading. These notes never waste my time--they are meaty and substantial. If I took the time to read every text note, I could spend hours in just one chapter. I must admit that sometimes I have! There are times when I just lose myself in the notes, as they may reference another section, which may lead me to explore another section, and so on. I can read a few notes and move on or set off on a major journey...either way, the notes are like having a wise friend beside me.

Another nice feature is that next to the text, there is a narrow column that lists all places in the Bible where a similar line or thought appears. This feature is very helpful when tracing a theme or idea. At the back, there is a detailed index and a significant concordance, which I find myself referring to constantly. Again, it's great for tracing themes or finding a particular verse.

Each book begins with a very thorough introductory section which gives you a balanced picture without overwhelming you. In addition, the Study Bible is full of illustrations, charts and maps that are woven throughout the book at appropriate times.

I got this version when I first became a Christian seven years ago, and it has been a tremendous aid in my spiritual growth. I would highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to new Christians who are not sure which version to invest in (the choices can certainly be overwhelming!). I would also strongly recommend it to folks who are not Christian, but just interested in learning more about the Bible. This version is not "preachy," and offers you historical insights along the way.

There are a lot of good study Bibles and several reliable modern translations to choose from. I've settled with the NIV study Bible because I find that it possesses the best mix of all the features that make a study Bible useful. It may be debatable whether the NIV is the most accurate translation, but it is certainly a reliable and responsible translation while being the easy to read. The notes do not interpret the Scripture but instead provide observational data such as definitions of words, background information about people, places, and events, and point to other related passages. Multiple explanations or views are provided in the notes on tricky or controversial passages. It comes with a large concordance plus a subject index for both the Bible and the notes. The timelines, many maps, charts, introductions, and outlines are also very helpful. I also appreciate the blank pages in back for my own notes. When traveling without any Bible study resources other than this study Bible I have been amazed at how much I can rely on it. Whichever Bible you choose, may you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you and assist in learning more about our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The NIV Study Bible is of outstanding value for providing readers a greatly enhanced understanding of The Bible.

1. GENERAL EVALUATION: There are many Study Bibles on the market. Including the NIV Study Bible [Zondervan Press], I own and use three. While my two other versions, one is the older RSV and the other the newer NRSV, give some information to explain the more difficult to understand passages and add commentaries, none go into the depth that the NIV does. The commentaries and explanations in the NIV Study Bible are, to say the least, profuse. Yet, not overwhelming in long elucidations that tend to make you forget what you just read. Rather, the commentaries are brief, to the point and very well develop understanding. The commentaries are not biased toward any single religious canon. They are simply information. Commentaries are cross-referenced, thus allowing the reader to gain further insight from related passages.

2. FORMAT: The page format is exceptionally well planned and implemented. The design is the traditional two-column format with references in a column between the texts. The commentaries are located at the bottom of the page to which they refer. The type font is large enough to easily read and is crisp.

Icons are used to quickly identify to what the commentary refers. These icons are: Character Profile, Archeology and Personal Application.

Maps relating to the particular text are on the same page as are diagrams. The four-color maps, located at the back of the book, are excellent. There are also time lines to assist the reader in grasping the time frames.

3. SUGGETSIONS: The following comments/suggestions may only apply to those who embark on an in depth study of the Bible. Since The New Testament documents were originally in Greek, a wise choice of a companion Bible to further augment the NIV Study Bible would be the NSRV-NIV Interlinear Greek and English Bible. The NRSV and the NIV texts are on either side of the Greek text in three columns. Under the Greek, is a word for word translation. Greek of New Testament times was a rich, scholarly language and some words, like English, had varying meanings and implications. A Greek Lexicon would be helpful to understand those shades of meaning.

4. CONCLUSION: No matter for what reason(s) any person cares to study The Bible, the NIV Study Bible, in my opinion, is the most readable and understandable on today's market. For those of you who may wonder about my qualifications to comment on this Bible, my minor was theology. My studies included Greek and Hebrew; I base my opinions on those studies and having read many-many works on the Bible, the culture of the times and recent archeological finds.

A year ago, I decided that I needed to read the Bible as an adult. After several hours of research and a couple of trips to the bookstore, I decided on the NIV Study Bible - and I was not disappointed. The linguistic style of the book is straightforward, avoiding unnecessary challenging phrasings and making the book a pleasure to read. I don't feel that the meaning was sacrificed for the translation's fluidity, however. The copious footnotes and annotations are perfectly laid out, in a manner that allows easy access to this extra information without interrupting a straight reading of the text. The appendices which sort important verses by topic (such as "selfishness" or "hope") are invaluable for finding important quotes. The various maps, timelines, and book summaries are useful as well. This is an absolutely essential addition to the library of any serious student of the Bible. I highly recommend it.

This is a great bible. I would say that it is the most complete study bible out there. I have viewed a lot of study bibles and no other one offers all of the resources that this bible does. The format allows instant access to information, with the study notes, charts and maps on the same pages as the corresponding scriptures. Book introductions give information concerning authorship, place of writing, and literary qualities. It has very extensive center-column references. It has the most exhaustive condordance of any bible I've ever seen. If you are a lover of the NIV, I would definitely recommend this bible.

Yes, the whole KJV (or, "Authorized Version") vs. 'newer translations' debate is a good one. Yes, one should have a Bible that is as true as possible to the earliest available original manuscripts, but one also must have a translation (version) that is understood without much difficulty, so it will be understandably exciting to read, study, and meditate upon! Many people now-a-days have a great deal of difficulty understanding much of the olde-English style KJV, which by most any standard, certainly seems to be the most accurate English translation.

Let's face it, probably no Bible version is an absolutely perfect translation directly from God Himself (gasp!), except for the ORIGINALS, of which are not quite available. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (or, "...is God-breathed...), but everything after the original was translated and copied by man, and while I believe that God did bestow His blessings on numerous past translators, since naturally, God does wish for His Words to be known to all of mankind - but, man is not perfect!

Additionally, as anyone who knows languages will realize, many words and phrases cannot be explicitly translated into another language. Some words cannot be properly translated at all. This holds especially true for Hebrew and Aramaic, two of the main languages of the original Holy Scriptures!

Thus, we rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance, and, after reading many, numerous Bible versions, and reading up on the who's and how's of their translations, I absolutely feel that the NIV is the most trustworthy Bible version in contemporary English available. It is rather similar in wordage to the KJV for those who are familiar with that version, yet the NIV is poetic, it flows beautifully, is easily read, and is as honest a translation as one can get in a contemporary, understandable version. And yes, it is the version most used by Christians world-wide, and in churches and Bible-study groups: so most Christians can be 'reading from the same sheet of music,' as they say.

It is good to have several versions to compare, to use simultaneously or alternatively, as each version may have different nuances within the same verse. - (And hopefully, not too big a difference in nuances, or else you've got a bogus, watered-down version). The difference in nuances is because a word or phrase may often rightly be translated slightly differently, and, depending upon the translator(s), one particular translation of words may be different than that of another person's.

I like the KJV for it solid, sturdy reputation and because it is one of the original-English, time-worn translations, which I believe God blessed - for that reason. I like the NIV for it's readability and flow, and for having a good reputation also. The "Amplified Bible" is good: it brings out other subtle meanings and nuances from many words and passages, but can be a bit cumbersome to read continuously. These are my three main choices for what I believe are true-to-the-original-Word Bibles. Then, I actually do like (ready for this?) the Contemporary English Version (CEV) Study Bible, or, as it is also titled, the "CEV Word In Life Bible." I would not use this as my main source for God's Word, for when I compare some of it's passages against more trusted versions, I sometimes say "WHAT?! - Where do they get THIS from?!" But it is cute, as it is very simple and even (dare I say it) fun to read; it was especially translated to be read aloud, for not just the reader, but especially for the listener to easily grasp what is read.

In any case, do yourself a favor and get a hardback Bible. Better yet - a leather one if you can: they wave quite nicely in the air (so you can be a real "Bible-waving / Bible-thumping Fundamentalist"! Ha! - BTW, a "fundamentalist" is simply someone who believes in the fundamentals, which is what it's all about). Seriously though, leather Bibles are easier to handle, and they last much longer. 'Bonded leather' is basically leather dust glued together to form a leather look; 'genuine leather' (such as 'Moroccan') is the MOST durable.

Lastly, if you really plan on spending time with God, then do yourself a real big favor and whatever Bible that you do get, be sure it's a STUDY Bible, if it's available! The best one is the "Life Application Bible," which is available in several versions. Second best is the "NIV Study Bible." For those of a Lutheran persuasion, the best is the "NIV Concordia Study Bible," available from Concordia Publishing House, if not available here.

The Holy Bible is the best book in the world, and if you believe, have faith, read/study/meditate/memorize on it's wise and worthy teachings, then you will be blessed, indeed! After that, the best book in the world is "Pilgrim's Progress"! - but get a 'contemporary version' unless you enjoy the olde-English. The one by C. Ford, and the "Amplified" version are both good choices! Enjoy, learn, grow, and become strong in the wisdom of the only true, living God (Triune), and know that Jesus is Lord!

I think many evangelicals know the Bible only in terms of life application. They don't know the difference between God and God the one and Only (see John 1:18 NIV), nor concern themselves with theological or historical aspects of the Bible. The NIV study Bible should help change this. Its notes are concise, numerous, and very informative. When I got this Bible, it opened up a whole new area of fascinating biblical study that perviously I had overlooked. The translation of the NIV is readable and for the most part accurate (though they sacrifice literalness for the sake of readability a lot). The notes represent the conservative side of theology and I agree with most of what they say, though I always have other versions on hand to broaden the depth of study. My only real big complaint is the lack of the deuterocanon. Though I do not consider the books to be 'inspired' scripture, I do believe for a complete study of the Bible they should be consulted. Maybe in a future addition they will be included. If people ask me which Bible to buy, I usually say this one.

As an advanced student of theology and chaplain, I use my NIV Study Bible daily. It has much needed information for both beginner and theologian on each page--verse by verse in most cases.

Short of having a multi-volume concordance this is the single best tool for the serious Christian.

The best study Bible by far!

The New International Version of the Bible is a highly readable, elegant translation, and this Zondervan edition offers copious annotations, cross-references, maps, timelines, and other info, including three indexes (to subjects, notes, and maps) and a huge concordium. An earlier reviewer claimed that certain verses, such as Matthew 18:11 and Acts 8:37, were left out, but in fact they are given as footnotes (apparently because there is some dispute as to their authenticity). My biggest qualm about this edition concerns the introductory notes to some of the books. In what may be an excess of piety, the editors go so far as to assert that King Solomon probably wrote the Song of Solomon and most of Proverbs, that Paul wrote all of the Pauline epistles, and (most dubious of all) that Moses probably wrote the Pentateuch! Few serious scholars would accept these claims. The editors also avoid discussion of how different Biblical traditions were conflated -- e.g., the two versions of the Flood story, which appear to have been interleaved, verse by verse, by a late redactor. Still, this edition is well worth owning for the grace and readability of the NIV translation, as well as the wealth of footnotes and other supporting material. As a bonus, the type is big enough to be read without eyestrain (at least as far as my middle-aged eyes are concerned).

I own all the NIV Study bibles. This is the most perfect. The print, notes, index and beautiful leather all come together to make a great package. There is nothing like having a note for each line. The NIV study makes it possible to just plain read or use the notes since the notes are seperated from the text. As a bible conusor, I would recomend this, one of Zondervan's finest as my #1 choice. Enjoy loving God's Word!