It has been a while since I reviewed a Bible, and today I get to review the ESV Study Bible, the personal-size edition published by Crossway. You’ll notice it is the Genuine Leather Black edition in the attached images, but the personal size comes in a variety of styles (such as hardcover and imitation leather). Note that this is not the large print, personal size.
I was interested in reviewing the personal size for a couple of reasons: 1) My wife has the normal edition, and it’s a beast; you have to sit down at a table with it to be comfortable, and 2) I was interested in giving a study Bible a shot as I don’t utilize them very often (though I have reviewed others such as the systematic study Bible here).
Let’s get into it.
First things first, the ESV bible is a formal equivalent translation, which means that it seeks to be more word for word in relation to the original languages. While the ESV is formal, I have found it to be far more readable or ‘dynamic’ than the “competing” formal translation of the NASB (New American Standard Bible). In terms of readability and translation, ESV has consistently remained my go-to when it comes to my primary English translation. You can read more about the translation here and here. The textual basis of the ESV is what you would expect in a modern translation. For the Greek text, the Nestle-Aland 28th, and United Bible Societies 5thedition. For the Hebrew text, the ESV uses the Biblia Hebracia Struttgartensia, 5thedition.
The ESV Study Bible is difficult to rival compared to other study Bibles. It is just exceptionally well done, with 20k study notes, 200+ charts and timelines, 240+ color maps and illustrations (you have to love the maps), 50+ articles, Bible character profiles, book introductions, a concordance, and more. It is just top-notch all the way around. Check out this excerpt from Genesis.
“The ESV Study Bible was designed to help you understand the Bible in a deeper way. Created by a diverse team of 95 leading Bible scholars and teachers—from 9 countries, nearly 20 denominations, and 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities—the ESV Study Bible features a wide array of study tools, including extensive study notes, 200 full-color maps, 40 full-color illustrations, charts, timelines, articles, and introductions, making it a valuable resource for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s Word.“
From Crossway
This doesn’t mean it’s perfect; I have some gripes (I’ll get to them), but honestly, if you’re looking for a study Bible to work through the text with, this is a go-to (a formidable opponent, however, is the Reformation Study Bible). The biggest issues when it comes to study Bibles are 1) letting them be the end all on a passage and neglecting study, and generally 2) their size. To the former, see this and remember to treat a study Bible like a commentary (that’s basically all it is!) and to put the text first. To the latter, the ‘normal’ editions of the ESV Study Bible made them a bit impractical for carrying around or even reading in leisure, and that is where the personal size comes in.
As you can see, I have the hardcover ‘normal’ edition alongside the black-leather personal size, and they managed to condense the size significantly. And interestingly, in terms of height, my thinline ESV is bigger than the personal-sized study Bible!
Additionally, you can see that I can comfortably hold the ESV personal size in my hand, though bear in mind that my hands are on the bigger side. I think it can at least give you an idea of the size.
So what’s the catch? Well to be ‘personal size’ the difference is under the hood with the text size. The normal font goes from 9 to 7.70 in the personal. Regarding the main text, this isn’t really an issue, but the notes dropped to a 6.3. You can read them, but it could be a problem for some individuals. I have found that when I first pick up the Study Bible to read, the font size messes with me, but then I quickly adjust. In a way, though, having to adjust to the note font size may be a blessing as you’ll be less inclined to jump to the notes before going through the text itself.
What about my gripes? Aside from normal disagreements that will occur on various texts’ commentary/conclusions, the ESV Study Bible has a bent towards ESS (Eternal Subordination of the Son), which I dislike and consider heterodox. This isn’t surprising when you look at some of the contributors, but the notes that reflect the notion (or hint at it) are relatively few. Some examples:
Example A: in 1 Corinthians 11:3, the note states, “The head of Christ is God indicates that within the Trinity the Father has a role of authority or leadership with respect to the Son, though they are equal in deity and attributes.”
Example B: in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, the note states, “Jesus is one with God the Father and equal to the Father in deity yet functionally subordinate to him, and this verse shows that his subjection to the Father will continue for all eternity.”
I find this notion and its trend in pop theology of eternal subordination ‘within’ the Trinity problematic (and, as I said, heterodox). Rather than go into that here, I will simply state that it does show up in the notes at times, and point you to the book discussing the issues with the doctrine here.
My other gripe is minor but also related to Christology. In the article on Christology, they list “six historical heresies related to the person of Christ” and stop at Chalcedon. That is, they don’t move into Chalcedon’s applications! They neglect Monothelitism, which really should be discussed more. To be fair, the article acknowledges that Jesus has a human mind but doesn’t go beyond that in the notes.
Nonetheless, the ESV Study Bible, especially the personal size, is worth getting if you’re considering buying one. The illustrations, charts, and maps are gorgeous. The size is excellent. The introductions are helpful. It is just well put together.
Pick up the ESV Study Bible Personal Size in Hardcover, trutone, or genuine leather (note: these are affiliate links) or at Crossway.