When I was 17, I bought a first edition ESV Study Bible with my high school graduation money. The first Valentine’s Day gift I bought my wife was…you guessed it – the ESV Study Bible. Do you trust me yet?
Why am I qualified to review the ESV Study Bible? Because I’ve read it! I’ve lived with it and carried it around under my arm for years (which has a pleasant side effect on one’s biceps). The ESV Study Bible (still talking about the first edition here), is the best evangelical and (dare I say it) reformed study bible in print. Scratch that – not in print – ever printed.
Now, you can imagine how excited I was to obtain a copy of the Personal-Size ESV Study Bible. All the rich resources and study helps, none of the muscle cramps and dented table tops. Geez. I can’t thank Crossway enough for publishing this book.
Shortly after I received my review copy, some Jehovah’s Witnesses pulled into my driveway. “Oh man, what did I study about those folks last year?” No fear. The ESV Study Bible has articles in the back on Christian cults. This proved an excellent resource in this situation, and the compact size of the book made it possible for me to take it outside with me to engage the poor souls without them fearing I’d use it as a weapon.
My overall assessment? Really, you have to ask? I’m glowing with praise over here. Anything and everything good that has been written about the original ESV Study Bible applies to the personal-sized edition, but the benefits of being able to carry the ESV Study Bible with you and use it as your primary Bible is incalculably precious.
My advice? Go buy one.