Which Bible Should I Use?
- Boma
- Apr 27, 2024
- 8 min read
Which Bible should I use? This is a question that can be answered in a variety of ways. In this post, I will look at translations, practicalities and additional features. I will also let you know which Bibles I use. This could help you choose a Bible for yourself or someone else, or even get more out of the Bible you have.
Maybe you had no part in choosing your first Bible. Perhaps you received it as a gift marking your birth, baptism or birthday so you read that particular Bible by default. We can become attached to the translation we or our church use most often, avoiding change but not being clear about why. We may also not have given the type or translation of the Bible we use much thought.
Choosing a Bible Translation
Even if we are not looking for a new Bible it can be useful to understand how our preferred Bible has been translated. Generally, Bible translations fall into two groups. Word-for-word and thought-for-thought. There are also paraphrases but more on that later.
Word-for-Word Bible Translations
Word-for-word translations are also known as formal equivalence translations. They aim to be a literal translation of the original text, prioritising communicating what the original text says and how it says it. Examples of word-for-word translations include the New King James Version and the New American Standard Bible.
An interlinear Bible is not strictly a translation. It displays the original language of the Bible with the English translation underneath. It maintains the word order of the original language even where this makes it less readable.
Thought-for-Thought Bible Translations
Thought-for-thought translations are also known as dynamic equivalence translations. They prioritise communicating the meaning of the original text and making it as readable as possible for a modern audience. The New Living Translation and The Passion Translation are thought for thought translations
The New International Version (NIV) attempts to sit in the middle of word-for-word and thought-for-thought translations.
Paraphrases
The Message and The Living Bible are paraphrases. This means they are not translations of the original languages. Instead, they reword the text with modern language.
Bible Translations Infographic:
This Bible Translation infographic may be a useful reference for understanding the Bible translation you have or want to read.
There are many more translations than the ones I have included here. When reading the Bible it is best to use a translation you understand and will read. As you study the Bible you may wish to compare translations. One way to do this is to compare a word-for-word with a thought-for-thought translation.
Choosing a Bible - the Practicalities
There are other things that may be important to you when choosing a Bible. We are truly blessed with the range of translations and methods for accessing the Bible. We can read the Bible in a language we understand and we can access paper Bibles with one translation or parallel Bibles with multiple translations on each page. Some Bibles include additional resources to deepen understanding of the Word of God. These resources could be maps, charts and timelines or they could be detailed notes and other features aimed at deepening the readers' understanding of the Bible. The latter are known as study Bibles.
The physical construction and layout of the Bible can help some people decide between Bibles. Leather Bibles can be more expensive but should last longer than other types. Although, some soft-cover Bibles may be good alternatives. Font size can be a factor for some. I wear glasses but prefer to read without them so I tend to go for Bibles with a good-sized font or the size 9 'comfort font'. Some people like having words spoken by Jesus in printed red ink. Many Bibles have two columns of text per page but others have one. Some people want a Bible that is small and lightweight enough to be carried around, while others desire a larger more substantial Bible for their desk or bedside table.
These are things we are privileged to be able to consider, but they can make a difference to our Bible reading. One of the keys to forming habits is to remove as many obstacles as possible from completing the task we want to make a habit. If small text is a hindrance that puts you off reading the Bible you have, then get one that does not have this issue. If you struggle to understand or are new to themes, concepts or people in the Bible, get a study Bible that works for you.
Important Bible Features People Often Skip
The first pages of many Bibles contain introductory text. I highly recommend you spend time reading these. For example, do you know why some words in the NKJV are italicised? When reading other books this is for emphasis. When reading the NKJV it is not. Do you know why 'Lord' and 'God' are sometimes written in capital letters? These and other things are explained in the preface or other introductory sections before the Old Testament. It is well worth reviewing these sections at least once, but ideally every now and then because they can help us understand the text more accurately.
Do I Need A Paper Bible?
Do I need a paper Bible? I would say, if you can use a paper Bible, you need a paper Bible. My physical Bibles are not reliant on my battery or internet access. They do not shine a light on my face that could keep me up at night or negatively impact the quality of my sleep. When using a paper Bible I do not risk notifications popping up on my phone. I am isolated from phone-related distractions so I can devote myself to God more easily. I cannot turn my phone off completely and still read the Bible on it. Focus mode, silent mode, and do not disturb are available but I would rather put my phone aside completely when possible.
This does not mean that I believe we should not read the Bible on electronic devices. Far from it. I like Bible apps and use them all the time. I praise God for the blessing of technology but I want to commit myself to minimising distractions when reading my Bible. I want to hold the Bible in my hands, not my Bible, social media apps, calendar, games, and more. Just the Bible. I want the only thing to distract me from the verse I am reading to be another verse. Yes, I can put my phone on silent or do not disturb but I am aware of what else is on my phone and it can take my attention away from the Word of God.
Which Bibles Do I Use?
I have acquired a few Bibles over the years. I usually read the New King James Version paper Bible but tend to listen to the New Living Translation with the Dwell Audio Bible app. Familiarity with the NKJV means I can often listen to the NLT with the NKJV in mind. As the New King James Version is a word-for-word translation I tend to use it for study.
I have the Amplified Bible which aims to help readers understand the full meaning behind Greek and Hebrew words and my most recently purchased Bible is in the New Revised Standard Version. I have an NIV/The Message parallel Bible which I use occasionally, but if I want to compare translations I usually use the YouVersion Bible app or a website like Biblia, Bible Hub or Bible Gateway.
My most used paper Bible is my go-to when reading or studying, not because of the translation, but because of the additional resources it contains. My mum gifted me The Spirit-Filled Life Bible one birthday (thanks mum!) and I love it. I later added a leather-bound New Spirit-Filled Life Bible which has additional contributors.The first is, shall we say, well-loved with the cover held together by duct tape. I have benefitted from the variety of features such as Bible book introductions which highlight how the Holy Spirit is at work in the book and how Christ in revealed. They have Word Wealth which explains hundreds of key words throughout the Bible. Kingdom Dynamics covers over 40 themes and are written by various well-chosen leaders and introduced me to thematic Bible study in the comfort of my home during my university years and beyond. A Truth-in-Action section at the end of each book (or major division) gives practical ways to apply what has been read.
The Spirit-Filled Life Bible is now in its 3rd edition. It now has colourful charts and additional resources such as "Praying the Word" - 192 guided prayers based on significant passages throughout Scripture. This 3rd edition and the ones I have are both in the New King James Version but it is possible to get the Spirit-Filled Life Bible in other translations:
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I recently purchased the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible for Women: Promise and Purpose from God's Word for Kindle to read the commentaries and wisdom of more than 100 women of God.
Increasingly, I have been using the Complete Jewish Bible. I enjoyed reading Proverbs in this translation after reading it in the NKJV a few times. I also have the Life with God Bible. This study Bible contains various essays on the 'with-God life', character profiles, introductions to each book of the Bible, extensive notes within each book and a Spiritual Disciplines Index pointing readers to key Bible passages on the Spiritual Disciplines. I am impressed that it also contains exercises to help readers' engage further with the Word of God. The Life with God Bible comes in two versions - one with the New and Old Testaments and one which also includes the deuterocanonical books:
Journaling Bibles
Journaling Bibles can be found in various translations. They have wide margins for readers to draw, write or stick things. Some have whole pages or sections of pages with art to colour as part of reflecting or meditating on the Scriptures, so you do not have to rely on your creativity. The writing in the margins does not have to be creative. Some people use to write notes in the usual handwriting.
I do not have one myself (yet!) as I write in a notebook alongside my Bible reading. I have bought the ESV Scripture Journal: Proverbs for one of my children. Every other page has no Bible text but has lines that are clear enough to write on but faint enough for the page to be drawn and coloured on. I bought the individual Bible book but savings can be made when buying sets:
Some people do not think we should draw on our Bibles. Whilst I do not have a journaling Bible, I do use highlighters in my Bible when passages or words stand out and occasionally write notes in my standard format Bibles. I do not believe responding to and in the Bible with art is inherently wrong. Rather, I believe our creative God does not mind us interacting creatively with His Word. However, if you are uncomfortable using a journaling Bible that is absolutely fine. There are many other options available.
There is no need to own more than one Bible. It does not make you more spiritual or righteous to have more. I have simply picked up Bibles along the way. Most before it was possible to easily read the Bible online. The most important thing is to read the Bible you have, study it, believe what it says and do what it says.
Blessing in Action: Which Bible Should I Use?
Thank God for the blessing of having access His Word in so many ways. Consider how you value the Word of God. Commit to engaging with the Word of God in ways that transforms you into His likeness. Pray for those in countries where the Bible is not readily available or accessible and for Christians in countries where owning a Bible is prohibited. |
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