Getting the Most from Our Study Bibles
Usually, this newsletter will discuss resources and thoughts on corporate worship.
We live in a golden age of biblical studies. A tremendous number of modern biblical translations, full-length monographs on biblical themes, and biblical commentaries are at our fingertips.
But perhaps the most common tool for biblical study is the actual “Study Bible.” While some study bibles are, astonishingly, the work of a single author (looking at you, John MacArthur), most assemble a formidable team of scholars who contribute insights to the book of the Bible with which they are most familiar.
Sometimes, the author of a full (lengthy!) commentary on a book of the Bible has summarized their findings and included their “best stuff” in the notes to a study bible. Other times, authors known for systematic theology (Michael Horton or Kelly Kapic), biblical theology (Graham Goldsworthy), philosophy (ethicist Craig Bartholomew), or preaching (Kevin DeYoung or J. D. Greear) have written the study notes for a book of the Bible. Their perspectives provide fascinating insights on the biblical text, but it is not immediately obvious which authors have contributed which books to a study Bible. It has been a bit murky.
The purpose of this post is to “unmurk,” or demystify these resources. For readers who just want to see the raw data, I have created a spreadsheet that lists the contributors for the books of the Bible for eight of the most popular study bibles.[1] The rest of this article highlights some of my favorite gems.
In the Pentateuch, fans of Stephen Dempster’s book, Dominion and Dynasty, might love his notes on Genesis (G&TSB) while those who like T. Desmond Alexander’s biblical theology might love the Genesis notes in the ESV Study Bible. Exodus gives us notes from Alexander (this time in the G&TSB) and Walter Kaiser (NIVSB2020). Leviticus has notes from TEDS’s Richard Averbeck (BTSB) and RTS’s John Currid (ESVSB). Students of the book of Numbers can learn from Gordon Wenham (ESVSB) and Michael Morales (ESVGT and G&TSB). Deuteronomy has been commented on by senior scholar Eugene H. Merrill (HCSBS and NLTSB), Dempster (this time in the BTSB), and Australian Presbyterian, J. Gary Millar (G&TSB).
Turning to the historical books, theologian Michael Horton wrote the notes in the ESVGT and many of the insights of Richard Hess’s excellent TOTC commentary on Joshua are found in his notes (HCSSB and BTSB). Senior Old Testament scholar Carl E. Armerding contributed the NLTSB notes for Judges. Those saddened that Raymond Dillard only wrote a commentary on 2 Chronicles before his passing in 1993 might be interested to see his notes on both 1 Chronicles and Esther (NIV2020). Christopher Ash wrote the commentary on Job for Crossway’s Preaching the Word series and contributed the notes for the Grace & Truth Study Bible.
The Psalms are particularly rich for study bible notes. Allen Ross shares his insights from his three-volume commentary for Kregel in the study notes for the CSB Apologetics Study Bible. Those interested in more recent interpretation of the Psalms might enjoy David Howard and Michael Snearly’s work in the BTSB. Willem VanGemeren wrote a beloved Psalms commentary for the Expositors Bible Commentary and the notes for the NLTSB, while Calvin College’s venerable Old Testament professor from a previous generation, John H. Stek, provided the notes for the NIV2020.
Proverbs features scholarly insights from Bruce Waltke (BTSB) and Tremper Longman (NLTSB) as well as expositor Ray Ortlund, Jr. (ESVGT). Students of Ecclesiastes might benefit from Hebrew linguistic insights of Duane Garrett (CSBASB and HCSSB), the theological acumen of Craig Bartholomew (BTSB), or the expositor’s perspective from Ray Ortlund (this time in the G&TSB).
Students of Isaiah can choose from Ray Ortlund (ESVSB), systematic theologian Kelly Kapic (ESVGT), or esteemed commentator, John Oswalt (BTSB). Notes on Jeremiah and Lamentations are by Paul House (ESVSB), Iain Duguid (BTSB), and one of the founders of the biblical theology movement, Graeme Goldsworthy (ESVGT). Duguid also provides the notes to Ezekiel in the NLTSB, one assumes much in keeping with his acclaimed NIVAC commentary. Daniel is represented by Bryan Chapel (ESVGT) and Tremper Longman (BTSB).
Minor prophets are amply represented by several very fine scholars. Some study bibles use a single commentator, like Anthony Petterson (G&TSB) or Thomas Finley (CSBASB), while others divide the task. Some of the more noteworthy contributions might include Jim Hamilton on Hosea, David Helm on Amos (ESVGT), Mark Futato on Jonah, Iain Duguid on Zechariah (ESVSB), Bruce Waltke on Micah, Elmer Martens on Habakkuk, Jason DeRouchie on Zephaniah (BTSB), and Andrew Hill on Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi (NLTSB).
Looking to learn from female commentators on the Old Testament? Karen Jobes contributes notes on Esther, Donna Petter contributes notes on Ezekiel (both in the BTSB) and Sherri L. Klouda contributed notes on the Song (CSBASB) and Psalms (HCSSB). The largest list of female contributors is found in the ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible which features Mary Beth McGreevy (Ruth), Kathleen Nielson (Ezra, Nehemiah), Elyse Fitzpatrick (Esther), and Nancy Guthrie (Micah).
Turning to the New Testament, the gospels are well served for study bible notes. Matthew features notes from Craig Blomberg (BTSB) and Scot McKnight (NLT) while Mark is served by scholars like Covenant Seminary’s Hans Bayer (ESVSB and ESVGT) and William Lane (NIV2020). Luke has notes from Wayne Grudem (ESVSB) and Jonathan Pennington (ESVGT) while the gospel of John has an embarrassment of riches, perhaps most notably D. A. Carson (BTSB). The book of Acts is served by both technical biblical scholars (Stanley Porter in the CSBASB) and popular theological writers (Justin Holcomb in the ESVGT).
Students of the Pauline epistles have quite a wide variety of choices. Highlights from the ESV Study Bible include Thomas Schreiner on Romans, Frank Theilman on 1 Corinthians, Simon Gathercole on Galatians. The ESV Gospel Transformation bible features Robert Yarbrough on Romans, Kevin DeYoung on Ephesians, Kent Hughes on 1–2 Timothy, and J. D. Greear on Titus. The Holman Christian Standard Study Bible features Paul Barnett on 1–2 Corinthians and Michael W. Holmes on 1–2 Thessalonians. The Grace and Truth Study Bible features several Baptist scholars, including Andy Naselli (1 Corinthians), Jason Meyer (2 Corinthians), and Patrick Schreiner (1–2 Thessalonians). Perhaps the strongest line-up is featured in the Biblical Theology Study Bible. There, Doug Moo covers Romans, Eckhard Schnabel and Murray Harris cover the Corinthian epistles, Robert Yarbrough provides notes on the pastorals, and (the belle of the ball from my [old!] perspective), the notes on Galatians are provided by Stephen Westerholm.
Finishing off the New Testament, the notes on Hebrews are covered by George Guthrie (NLT) and R. Albert Mohler (G&TSB). The notes on James include Grant Osborn (ESVSB), Doug Mood (BTSB) and Rob Plummer (of the Daily Dose of Greek! in the G&TSB). The Petrine epistles (and often Jude!) are covered by Schreiner (ESVSB and CSBASB), Moo (NLT), and Jared C. Wilson (ESVGT). The Johannine Epistles are covered by Robert Yarbrough (ESVSB) and Daniel Akin (CSBASB). Notes on the book of Revelation are provided by Dennis Johnson (ESVSB), Jim Hamilton (ESVGT), Brian Tabb (BTSB) and Robert Mounce (NIV2020).
[1] Some of the most popular study bibles include the ESV Study Bible (ESVSB), the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (ESVGT), the Holman Christian Study Bible (HCSSB), the CSB Apologetics Study Bible (CSBASB), the Biblical Theology Study Bible (BTSB, formerly known as the Zondervan Study Bible), the New Living Translation Study Bible (NLTSB), the Grace & Truth Study Bible (G&TSB), and the NIV Study Bible (NIVSB).