Review: NKJV Evangelical Study Bible

Once again, Bible Gateway has given members of the BibleGateway Blogger Grid the opportunity to review a Bible. As someone who has a study Bible (among other more basic editions) and uses multiple Bible apps and online research tools, I tend to share with friends the complimentary resources Bible Gateway sends me once I've written my review. However, I won't be sharing this one too soon. The NKJV Evangelical Study Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishers) is a keeper, and I am keeping mine! You can order your own copy from Faith Gateway (https://bit.ly/43sfQrA) or Amazon (https://bit.ly/3WW1FIT).

Let's get the specifics out of the way: The edition I was given was hardcover with a matching dust cover and a satin bookmark. It's two inches thick and weighs in at just under four pounds. Its pages are pretty thin --a gel pen will not work for notetaking and some highlighters may bleed through as well. The print is easy to read, in two columns, and the words of Jesus are, of course, written in red. There are several color maps at the back of the book as well as those located within the text.

You will find instructions on how to use this specific edition, how to study the Bible in general, a quick reference guide (God's Answers to Our Concerns) with Scriptures on topics like afflictions, death, divine providence, heaven, repentance, and suffering for Christ, just to name a few. There are introductions to both the Old and New Testaments as well as introductions and outlines for each book of the Bible. There's a brief survey of the four historical periods between testaments, an explanation of Jewish sects, and a Harmony of the Gospels. After the conclusion of the Book of Revelation is the Topical Index to Christ and the Gospels, a Table of Monies, Weights, and Measures, a Jewish Calendar, Prayers of the Bible, and a Concordance.

In my opinion, the best part lies within the best part. It's what lies within the body of the Scriptures that makes this Bible worth the purchase. It's a study Bible, so it's loaded with great tools like a verse-by-verse commentary, archaeological and cultural information with color photos, doctrinal footnotes and apologetics articles, personality profiles, and annotations and cross references. While I would have liked an index of the personality profiles, most profiles are placed near the verse in which the subject is first mentioned (i.e. Joseph and Mary's profiles are located at Matthew 1). Likewise, some of the doctrinal footnotes are difficult to locate. For instance, teaching on the Trinity is located at Matthew 28:19 though the Trinity first appears in Scripture in Genesis 1:26, and the teaching itself affirms this. Chapters are marked with helpful subheadings as well.

Also, as it states, this is an evangelical study Bible, so notes and teachings are going to concur with an evangelical point of view. Don't go looking for a pass on "gender identities" or abortion. Notes are written from an evangelical perspective and are not necessarily written with the purpose of defending or explaining that perspective. 

If you're looking for a good study Bible, I'd encourage you to check this one out. But get your own, 'cause I'm keeping mine! #BibleGatewayPartner