I've had the ESV Preaching Bible for some time now, and it’s quickly become my favorite Bible for preaching. After 21 years of preaching, I have developed some decided opinions about such things.
My new favorite preaching Bible
There are a few key features that really set this Bible apart for me, and I’d love to highlight them:
Each Verse on Its Own Line
This is a game-changer for preaching. The website describes it as "Enlarged and bolded verse numbers surrounded by extra space to easily locate verses on the page." That's exactly what it is.
There's nothing wrong with the paragraph format that has been popular the last few years... it's fine for reading. But it is annoying for preaching! Having each verse on its own line allows me to find my place quickly and easily. No more getting lost in the text or hunting through those long Pauline paragraphs—it's right there in front of me. It really makes a difference when you’re speaking and need to refer back to Scripture on the fly.
Wide Margins for Notes
I’ve always been someone who writes notes in my Bible, and the generous margins in this edition are perfect for that. There's room for cross-references, insights, and sermon notes, ideal for study and sermon preparation. Here are some pictures I took of my margin notes after my recent trip through Romans:
Hopefully that gives you a view of the size of the margins. Over the next 10 years, I can already see these margins filling up with more and more insights.
Quality Construction
The build quality of this Bible is exceptional. It feels like a 20-year Bible when you hold it in your hand. The binding, the cover, the paper—it’s all top-notch. I’ve never had a Bible that I would consider re-binding after years of use, but this one is different. I can see myself getting it re-bound someday after it's been thoroughly preached.
All in all, the ESV Preaching Bible has exceeded my expectations. It’s not just a Bible I use; it’s one I’ve grown attached to. If you’re a pastor or preacher looking for a reliable and thoughtfully designed Bible, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Additional Features of the Bible
Beyond my personal favorite aspects, the ESV Preaching Bible (TGL) comes with several other thoughtful features that make it a strong choice for pastors and preachers:
Premium Goatskin Leather Cover. The Bible’s cover is made from high-quality goatskin leather, providing a soft, flexible, and durable exterior. It feels wonderful in your hands, and its durability means it can withstand regular use for many years.
Smyth-Sewn Binding. The Smyth-sewn binding allows the Bible to lay completely flat. In other words, the Bible stays open without needing to be held down—perfect for teaching or preaching from a pulpit.
High-Quality, Opaque Paper. The pages are made from thick, opaque paper that reduces the amount of ghosting (text from one page showing through to another). This makes reading much easier, especially in low-light conditions. It also makes it easier to use a good pen to mark in the margins with less bleed-thru.
Readable Font. The font size is generous, which is great for long reading sessions or preaching without straining your eyes. The typeface is clear and clean, making Scripture easy to follow.
This Bible is a superb tool for pastors who want both functionality and longevity from their preaching Bible.
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