What’s the best catholic study bible?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rosie11
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Rosie11

Guest
I’ve used the catholic answer bible and the new ignatius catholic study bible, I want something new and different also with commentary’s that are easy to understand, as I didn’t get a good education some words are hard for me to know the meaning of.
 
I have the Didache Bible (RSV 2CE) and its commentary is based on the Catechism. I haven’t spent as much time with it as I would like, but I really like the comemntary that I have seen so far.
 
I’d also recommend the Didache Bible if you’ve already gone through the Ignatius Study Bible.

You might also check out Ascension Press’ Great Adventure Bible (also the RSV-2CE). This doesn’t really have “commentary” in the sense of vere-by-verse notes. But it has extended introductions, essays, maps, and charts.
 
I’m just starting to dig into the Didache Bible. It seems to be really helpful, but the font size of the letters in the commentary (I think it may be 8.5 point) is kind of hard to read.
 
There are lots of different didache bibles can i see a pic of the one you use?
 
I would find a bible translation that is accurate and which you can live with, combined with an online commentary. No single bible or study bible has “everything”, so perhaps a bit of shopping around will net you a combo that is made for you.
 
Another for for the Didache here. I bought the RSV-CE2 edition two years ago. It’s now my daily reader, my study Bible, and the only one I ever seem to use anymore out of a dozen or so I own. Highly recommended.
 
This is the RSV-2CE one that I use:


I also have the NABRE one in my office, but don’t use it as much.
 
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

This is a picture of the one that I use for study. It is college edition that I got servaral years ago when I graduated high school. I really like it. Before each book it gives a large summary and context of what was going on politically at the time. It also has colored maps and a glossary in the back.
 
The poster said they wanted a commentary that’s easy to understand, so I doubt the Haydock would be a good fit for them.
 
Unfortunately, as Catholics, aside from the two Bibles you already have there aren’t many more choices. Our Protestant brethren have dozens of study Bibles available to them.

Like many have already said, the Didache RSVCE2 version is probably your best choice.

There are quite a few study Bibles based on the NAB, but in my opinion (and many others), the footnotes are so terrible that I’d stay away from the NAB completely. Also, many “student” and “youth” Bibles seem to emphasize “social justice” issues in their special topics sections, while really skimming or completely skipping over topics concerning sexual morality.
 
Last edited:
The words are sometimes hard in this commentary, but it’s worth the effort! 🙂

HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY – online
I was thinking just the opposite; Maybe the D/R text would be difficult, but the Haydock notes are written in more modern English (relatively speaking although it is British.)

Personally, I think this should be the FIRST study bible Catholics should become acquainted with. All of the modern ones build on the foundation of Haydock. Not directly perhaps, but it is a VERY good exposure to all of the different versions of original language bibles, and their differing translations. I’ve said this before, and I DON’T think it can be overemphasized: The Haydock notes attribute all of their notes to their sources, whether elsewhere in the Bible, the early Church Fathers, or any of the historical commentators. This is NEVER done in modern study Bibles. Not even the Ignatius Study Bible is that thorough.
 
Last edited:
I’m just starting to dig into the Didache Bible. It seems to be really helpful, but the font size of the letters in the commentary (I think it may be 8.5 point) is kind of hard to read.
The easiest Bible for me to read in terms of font size for both scripture and footnotes/commentary is The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. This is my favorite commentary too. I haven’t read the Didache Bible, but since it’s recommended more than any other Bible on this website that will be the one I get next.
 
These are all just beautiful, but get ready to drop a hundred bucks.
 
For me the New Testament Ignatius Study Bible (Scott Hahn notes and essays) is great and the next best thing to the Douay Rheims with Haydock notes.
 
I am in the camp of the Ignatius Bible. I don’t have the study edition, but plan on buying one soon. I love the style of the RSV and the reading for me is just right. I am about to pick up a Douay-Rheims bible soon though. Been craving an old English style rendering like the DRB.
 
The easiest Bible for me to read in terms of font size for both scripture and footnotes/commentary is The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. This is my favorite commentary too. I haven’t read the Didache Bible, but since it’s recommended more than any other Bible on this website that will be the one I get next.
The advantage of the Didache over Ignatius is that it’s the complete Old and New Testaments. I can’t wait for an Ignatius complete Bible.
 
Same here!
That’s gonna be a massive book though lol! Going to tower on my desk!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top