Adherents of “dynamic equivalence” (and the more recent label “functional equivalence”) do not necessarily feel obliged to translate the actual words of the original. Instead, these translators often engage in commentary on the biblical text instead of translation of it. This is done by bypassing the words of the original and offering an interpretation of its “content meaning” as distinct from its “lexical meaning.” Overall, this is a big simplification of the two methods of translation, but I think you get the point. There are obviously differences between each of these Bibles, and scholars will debate the merits of the study notes, but overall I think these are your best bet. The Final Word: Obedience Matters Most Now let’s bring it all together. Given all the information above, what study Bible should you choose? Essentially literal study Bible translations are those that seek to examine the original Greek or Hebrew word, then translate that word into English as literally as possible.

When choosing, I would recommend using this formula (that sounds too precise, but you know what I mean): These types of study Bibles are primarily designed to help you understand the meaningof the text in each book of the Bible. In other words, they want to help you get to the heart of the author’s original intent. Because I believe that the Holy Spirit is primarilyresponsible for helping us apply God’s word to our lives. He is the one who makes convicts us of sin and righteousness. He is the one who reveals Christ to us. He is the one who comforts us in our afflictions and encourages when we’re downtrodden. With a fresh two-color interior design and meaningfully updated study notes and features, this Bible will help you understand God’s Word better than ever. It answers the real-life questions that you may have and provides you practical yet powerful ways to apply the Bible to your life every day.

Because it has the potential to introduce the biases of the translators. This, in turn, can lead to words and phrases being used that weren’t originally in the text. Charts and diagrams help readers visualize different concepts and relationships and their significance in the book, throughout the Bible and in our lives. Maps Don’t neglect the “weightier matters” of Bible reading. God desires obedience and a heart that delights in him. Before you decide on a good study Bible for you, it’s really important to determine the best translation of the Bible to use. Full text of the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), combining the latest biblical scholarship with clear, natural English

Now more than 10,000 Life Application® notes and features that help explain God’s Word and challenge you to apply its truth to your life today Study the stories and teachings of the Bible with study notes, overviews, vital statistics, outlines, and timelines. Grasp difficult concepts using in-text maps, charts, and diagrams. Discover how you can apply the Bible to your life today.

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Now it has been thoroughly updated and expanded, offering even more relevant insights for understanding and applying God’s Word to everyday life in today’s world. There are Bibles for men, women, college students, high-school students, kids, military members, and on and on. It’s a flabbergasting, overwhelming blessing.

Personally, I believe this is an inferior and unhelpful method of translation because it has the potential to introduce interpretationinto the translation. Personally, I believe the best study Bible will have study notes written by a variety of scholars. This allows you to get a variety of perspectives on a variety of texts. If all the notes are written by a single person, you’re only getting their interpretation of all the passages. This can get especially dicey if you’re getting into more difficult texts, like in the Book of Revelation. New features include: a refreshed interior design with a second color for visual clarity; meaningfully updated study notes and features; and the Christian Worker's Resource- a special supplement to enhance the reader's ministry effectiveness. There are certainly going to be elements of preference involved in making your choice. Maybe your church uses one particular translation. Maybe you grew up reading and memorizing the NASB. Maybe you just like the way a particular translation feels. So yes, take some time to do research before you choose a study Bible. But even more importantly, obey the word of God.

Dynamic equivalence study Bible translations attempt to translate the Bible in a “thought-for-thought” manner. In other words, instead of translating each word individually, they attempt to translate the original thoughts behind each word and phrase. Preferred Essentially Literal Translation + Interpretation Focused Study Bible + Contributions From Numerous Scholars = The Best Study Bible Bottom line: When it comes to choosing the best study Bible, I would recommend one that focuses on interpretation rather than application. Bringing It All Together: Best Study Bible Recommendations In other words, instead of simply translating the words as they were originally written, an attempt is made to interpret the meaning of the original words and then let that interpretation guide the translation.