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This Week's Sponsor: ESV Study Bible
- 10/19/09
- 11
Celebrating One Year of the ESV Study Bible
By Geoff Dennis, Crossway Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing, Media
On October 15th, 2008 Crossway launched the ESV Study Bible to help people understand the timeless truth of God’s powerful, compelling, and life-changing Word in a deeper way. And now, one year later, we rejoice and praise God as we see how the ESV Study Bible is reaching and equipping individuals, leaders, and churches here in the U.S. and abroad.
Over 250,000 ESV Study Bibles have gone from the Crossway warehouse into the hands of readers worldwide. We continue to hear stories of those who have been impacted by the ESV Study Bible, people from all over the world who are better equipped to love, teach, and live God’s word - from Hungary, South Africa, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Ivory Coast and beyond.
It has also been a privilege to make God’s Word, along with all of the study notes, maps, and articles available on the web, mobile devices, and Kindle—allowing readers to conveniently access the Study Bible wherever they are. Watch for our soon-to-be released application for the iPhone, and a completely updated ESV Online website.
In keeping with the launch of the ESV translation in 2001 and the ESV Study Bible in 2008, Crossway has plans to release other, life-transforming editions of the ESV Bible that should have a worldwide impact on the Body of Christ. In the Fall of 2010 we are planning on releasing the ESV MacArthur Study Bible, with other significant editions under way, including a new iPhone application.
It is a tremendous joy and privilege to participate in the ministry of God’s holy word. May God bring a renewed love for His word, an ever-growing desire for sanctified living, and a greater commitment to the gospel - all for the glory of Christ!
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
Releasing on April 1, The Next
Published in 2008, this book
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Comments (11)
The ESV is truly a reassuring translation of the Bible, an essentially “literal” translation as opposed to one seeking “dynamic equivalence”. I have never felt comfortable with the NIV but so many have used it, it has been very difficult not to be seen to be unhelpful by not also following it. But here we have a genuine choice and a version that seeks so far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the precise style of each Bible writer.
I actually use the Reformnation Study Bible by R C Sporul but I have seen this version at christian conferences and have wished I could justify buying a copy so soon after R C Sproul’s version. Maybe one day. For now I am very happy with his.
I am anxiously awaiting the MacArthur SB in the ESV translation. I love my NKJV MSB, and I love my ESV translations, so putting them together is fantastic.
I sure wish I could get the MSB notes, Reformation SB notes and ESV translation together in one book. I have them in Logos, but I can’t carry a laptop around with me at church, etc.
I have been very disappointed with the new ESV study Bible. I bought the premium calfskin edition ($239!) and had to return it. The print quality in Galatians, Philippians and Ephesians was terrible. It was so bad, it gave people headaches when they tried to read it. Then I received my second one. Well, I have sent this one back too! The Bible began at Genesis 9, nothing before this except a few blank pages and the front cover! So, I am now waiting on my third one! It is quite vexing, as I live in the UK; so the time it takes to make it across the Atlantic and back again is absolute ages. So my experience has been far from impressive. Sorry to be a party-pooper, people.
So my experience has been far from impressive. Sorry to be a party-pooper, people.
That’s too bad! Not to jump to the defense here, but I’ve found my Bible (same edition) to be very well-made in all respects. We use it every day!
I have greatly enjoyed my ESVSB as well. Does anyone know anything else about the iPhone App mentioned above?
Tim,
I don’t mind the sponsored posts per-say but they would be a lot more interesting if for example Geoff from Crossway had told us lots of interesting facts about the ESV, for example: how it compares to other translations, significant churches and colleges that use it etc. Basically all he seemed to be saying was the ESV is good and its sold lots.
Basically all he seemed to be saying was the ESV is good and its sold lots.
I’m sure he’ll take that into account. I think the sponsors are just finding out how to best write this kind of post, so that is very helpful feedback. Any other feedback is appreciated, I’m sure!
I have greatly profited from my ESV Study Bible. I especially love the online interface and use it very often. Being a web designer I am very pleased with the online ESV. If I could use this forum to add one very simple feature to the online resource would to have a show/hide for reference links in the text. I use the online edition for my tracing of NT passages in seminary and I have to manually delete all the reference notes when I copy them over. Absolutely love this resource. Keep up the good work.
One note of comment from Nicodemus’ post above. Being “literal” in translation is not necessarily as lofty goal as it sounds. Languages are different and if it they always lined up perfectly (or literally) than we would not need translators. The ESV, just like any translation of the Bible, makes theological decisions for us when translating. It’s not as simple as saying they’re more or less literal. Just a few thoughts.
The ESV, just like any translation of the Bible, makes theological decisions for us when translating. It’s not as simple as saying they’re more or less literal. Just a few thoughts.
For sure. “Literal” is not the most helpful term when it comes to Bible translation. Leland Ryken, who was involved with the ESV translation, uses the phrase “essentially literal” to discuss his ideal for Bible translations and it is probably a little bit more helpful. But even there, the use of “literal” can be as confusing as it is helpful.
Like Irish Paul, I had trouble with Galatians and Ephesians in my first ESVSB. I contacted customer service, they sent me a replacement within a few days and unlike Paul, the second time has been the charm. I appreciate the scholarship, study notes, and the attempt to be comprehensive. It is a valuable resource indeed. Like Doc, I too find myself comparing notes to the MSB.Perhaps an edition that included MSB and RSB would be worth considering. However, it might need a to have a hand-truck included.
I have both the premium calfskin and the hardcover versions of the ESV Study Bible. The quality of workmanship in both is excellent.
The translation is also the best I’ve found for my broad everyday use (regular devotional reading, take along to church or group meetings, and intial study of passages).