I used to see a lot of people in my old church and Christian Union a lot of people making notes in the margins of their Bible, highlighting verses in different colours using a highlighter pen, sticking post-it notes to pages and the like.
I’m just wondering if this is a sin? Or is it that what is done to the physical object of the book isn’t actually that important in contrast to the Word of God it contains?
not if it is your own bible
there are markers made especially for this purpose that do not bleed through, damage the paper etc
Greetings Kouyate42,
As a student of theology I make notes and highlight my bible quite a bit. IN fact I have several bibles, one that I use for lectio divina to highlight the verses that came or stuck out so that I can come back and mediatate upon them. I use a bible for my classes that I make notes in. I also have a bible that I read when I wish to do personal reading.
It’s not a sin to write in one’s own bible. I take notes quite a bit in my bible used for classes as well.
They make these nice highlighters that are almost like pencil chalk substance, it does not bleed through the paper. I make use of these quite often.
Now granted it depends on what you are writing in the bible if it is a sin or not. 
God bless.
Anathama Sit
Thank you to both answerers. When I was seriously studying the Bible, I used to find that linking subjects and phrases by color helped me a lot to link and remember stuff.
Greetings Kouyate42,
Yes multiple colors help me a great deal. I have another bible that has all my favorite verses marked, however I use the post it sticky tabs to mark those verses - color coded as well - so that I can find them when I need to make use of them.
Write away my friend in your bible.
God bless.
Anathama Sit
I found an old tattered copy of the New American Version at a used book store.
I also have an apologetic “cheat sheet” and I took that old copy and marked,
highlighted, and tagged it for quick finding. I think its a great idea and keeps an old beat up used copy of the Bible in good use.
Paul
My Mom was a librarian; according to her, it is a sin to write in ANY book!:rolleyes:
I have a bible for my old testament class, well specifically for it, I will probably write in it. I have my own personal bible for personal use I will not write in that one, its all about preference. There is nothing wrong with writing in a Bible.
The “best” Bible for you is one you actually use . . .and use . . .and use . . .until it’s falling-apart from study, reference, and yes, even writing in.
Greetings Tarpeian Rock,
It does not hurt to have a well used tattered, beat up Catechism of the Catholic Church around the house either. I have several copies that are falling apart, and yet I cannot bear to part with them because they have notes taken in them and are well highlighted. I am going to have to break down and get a new Catechism of the Catholic Church.
God bless.
Anathama Sit
I find my Bible almost becomes like a faith map for me. I take notes sometimes, mostly just if something really sticks out at me. I also highlight. Green for verses I have memorized, yellow for ones that I feel are important.
I’ve heard of many well respected (well, I respect them) individuals who write in their Bibles. Sometimes to correct faulty translations. That one made me laugh a little actually.
I also highlight and take notes in the margins of my bible. It’s great for remembering things, but also really fun to look back on years later as I grow in my faith and see my thought processes from before. It’s especially great for me to look back on my study bible from college that guided me through the process of converting to Catholicism. It’s like a little journal for me, with certain verses circles with exclamation marks hastily scribbled in as I discovered new and scary things that pulled me away from my protestant upbringing.
Not a sin, thankfully, because I crayoned all over my first “mature” bible when I was a child. However I don’t like it. Not only do I find it distracting but not quite respectful of the text. Personal pref, really.
I would say that we shouldn’t, as I can see a lot of people find it some how help full, I would say that we should show reverence to the word of God. Doesn’t anyone agree to this?
While I agree that we need to show reverence to the text, I think that all of us who have study bibles also have a “reading bible.” I have my study bible that i use in personal and private devotion. I take notes, and add little things in the margins that I think of. Then, I have my “reading bible” which is of a much higher quality than the textbook-style format of my study bible. Hubby and I use that to read from scripture together. No note-taking, no markings, just reading.
In my humble opinion it seems reading and writing on the Bible is showing reverence to God because you are actively engaged in studying His word. The Bible is not a religious artifact, it was written for the express purpose to be read and studied. It is paper which can be reproduced over and over. If it helps a person to study by writing in the book itself then it probably pleases God that one is engaged enough in His word to use visual aids to study. Reverence should be for God Himself, it is His Spirit and His nature that we revere not a printed paper book.
Even though the Word of God has power; it is not the actual pages that have the power it is the Spiritual God Himself and in us that has the power. The power is from the spoken word rather than the written pages. The Bible is a tool to understanding God. If writing in it helps to understand God Himself than why would it not be appropriate? What is appropriate is that we are engaged and have enough zeal to continue in our quest for understanding Gods word. It is the actual word and not the pages that should concern us. This is my opinion only.
God Bless us everyone. :tiphat:
Re: Is it a sin to write in a Bible?
Not really. Some bibles might have commentary space for taking notes.
=Kouyate42;8290446]I used to see a lot of people in my old church and Christian Union a lot of people making notes in the margins of their Bible, highlighting verses in different colours using a highlighter pen, sticking post-it notes to pages and the like.
I’m just wondering if this is a sin? Or is it that what is done to the physical object of the book isn’t actually that important in contrast to the Word of God it contains?
NO! It is being done to clarify and HONOR God not in anyway to cause injury to God ot Truth:)
Thanks for asking,
God Bless,
Pat
When I used to look for books for my classes, I would always look for a marked up or highlighted used book. To me it added value to the book.
And my Kindle allows for all kinds of bookmarks and notes. 
I like to see a dog-eared, tattered, written in Bible. It means someone has actually READ it.