The Wiersbe Study Bible – Review

The NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible is based on the notes from Dr. Wiersbe’s “Back to the Bible” radio ministry and “Be Series” commentaries. It includes verse-by-verse commentary and lots of short articles with the purpose of personal application and growth. It’s available in several covers and includes the Comfort Print type designed by 2K/Denmark in large print. I’m reviewing the hardcover edition, ISBN: 9780785220978, made in China.

Thomas Nelson provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.

_________________________________________________________

This book is available at (includes some affiliate links)

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Church Source

and many local Bible bookstores

_________________________________________________________

Table of Contents

  1. Video Review
  2. Cover and Binding
  3. Paper
  4. Typography
  5. References
  6. Book Introductions
  7. Study Material
  8. Concordance
  9. Maps
  10. Conclusion

Video Review

Table of Contents

Cover and Binding

This is the hardcover edition. It comes with a dust jacket that includes the product description. It’s Smyth sewn and has no trouble staying open to any page. It includes two nice ribbon markers: one gray and one blue.

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Paper

The paper is white in color and it’s highly opaque. I’d guess the gsm to be in the mid 30’s. It has a slightly coated feel and it’s easy to turn. This is excellent paper for reading and highlighting, I found this paper to be a joy to use and read from.

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Typography

The text is presented in double-column paragraph format with poetry set to stanzas and letters indented. Highlights are in dark blue. Cross-references and footnotes are placed under the last verse. Study material is placed at the bottom of the page.

The typeface for the Bible text is the 10.5-point NKJV Comfort Print® designed by 2K/Denmark. It’s red-letter. Both the black and the red are dark and easy to read. The notes are 8-point, and the notes are indented slightly to make them easier to find. It has about 8-10 words per line. The text isn’t line-matched, but the paper is opaque enough that it doesn’t matter. The large print is easy to read.

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References

Cross-references are placed under the last verse on the page. This is the smaller reference set. More references are added within the notes, so it makes sense to save space here. There are still a lot of references to help with personal study and sermon prep.

Here are a few example references to help you compare:

  • Genesis 1:1 – Jn 1:1-3; Acts 17:24
  • Deuteronomy 6:4 – 1 Cor 8:4, 6
  • Isaiah 9:6 – Luke 2:11; John 3:16; Matt 28:18; Judg 13:18; Titus 2:13; Eph 2:14
  • Matthew 17:20 – Lk 17:6
  • Mark 11:23 – Matt 17:20; 21:21
  • Mark 12:29 – Deut 6:4, 5
  • John 1:1 – 1 John 1:1; Rev 19:13; John 17:5; 1 John 1:2; 5:20
  • John 2:19 – Mat 26:61, 27:40
  • Acts 2:38 – Luke 24:47
  • 1 John 1:1 – John 1:1; John 1:14; 2 Pet 1:16; Luke 24:39; John 1:1, 4, 14

The footnotes are the NKJV translation footnotes, which are my favorite footnotes. I find them to be useful because they provide manuscript variations and identify the manuscripts.

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Book Introductions

The book introductions take a couple of pages and include a book overview, outline, and a section called “Be Transformed”. The Book Overview includes major events, characters, doctrines, key verses, themes, historical background, the author, time of writing, audience, how it fits into God’s Word, etc. The Be Transformed section includes practical lessons with thoughts on personal application and works great as a devotional. The introductions have a patterned design printed at the edge of the page that makes it easier to find the beginning of a new book.

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Study Material

There are lots of study notes that cover key themes. The main focus on all of the notes is application. If you’re familiar with the BE series, you’ll have an idea of what the notes are like.

Catalyst Notes – These notes are small articles that cover key issues about characters and themes with the purpose of being transformative for the reader. They’re devotional in quality. There are hundreds of Catalyst notes throughout the text.

Study Notes –  There are around 10,000 verse-by-verse expository notes that explain key passages. They also include references and points on personal application.

Index of Preaching Outlines – This is an index that provides expository sermon topics for each book of the Bible. It provides the book name, topics, and chapters that would go with that topic. The study notes under those topics are the sermon. This is an interesting way to create expository sermon notes.

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Concordance

The concordance is 262 pages with 2 columns per page. It includes the names of people and places and significant topics. It’s in large print, so it’s easy to read and use. This is an excellent concordance for study and sermon prep.

Here are a few example entries and the number of references they provide to help you compare:

  • Christ – 33
  • Christian – 2
  • Christians – 1
  • Christs – 1
  • Faith – 56
  • Faithful – 26
  • Faithfulness – 9
  • Faithless – 2
  • God – 70
  • Goddess – 2
  • Godhead – 2
  • Godliness – 6
  • Godly – 6
  • Gods – 7
  • Praise – 38
  • Praised – 6
  • Praises – 5
  • Praiseworthy – 1
  • Praising – 3
  • Pray – 23
  • Prayed – 3
  • Prayer – 21
  • Prayers – 9

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Maps

It includes 7 full-color Zondervan maps printed on 8 thick glossy pages. They’re printed in bright earth-tones. These are some of my favorite colors for maps. It does not include an index but the maps are annotated well. I find them easy to use. They include topography, distance, routes, borders, possible locations of lost places, battles, elevation, cities, and locations for the events of Jesus’ ministry.

Maps include:

  1. World of the Patriarchs
  2. Exodus and Conquest of Canaan
  3. Land of the Twelve Tribes
  4. Kingdom of David and Solomon
  5. Jesus’ Ministry
  6. Paul’s Missionary Journeys
  7. Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus

 

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Conclusion

The NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible has a lot of devotional-style notes with a focus on application. The materials in the hardcover edition are impressive. It’s rare to see a hardcover have two ribbons. I love the paper and print quality. The notes do include theology (I recommend using the notes for reference and do your own study). They’re written well and include a lot of information and points for personal application. I found the sermon index to be an interesting idea. It provides the topic and then uses the notes from the passages as the sermon itself. I recommend the NKJV Wiersbe Study Bible to any fan of Dr. Wiersbe’s “Back to the Bible” radio ministry or the Be Series.

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_________________________________________________________

This book is available at (includes some affiliate links)

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Church Source

and many local Bible bookstores

_________________________________________________________

 

Thomas Nelson provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.

About The Author

Randy A Brown

WordPress writer by day, Bible reviewer by night, pastor all the time. And there's also that author thing.

5 Comments

  1. jim hilbrant

    thanks for a great review, as always,clear and informative. question i have for you. the New NKJV classic reference bible that is verse by verse goatskin and is to be released Oct. 8 of this year. when will they have pictures of this bible?…Nelson, CBD, and Amazon don’t show anything yet besides the info on this Bible. thanks Randy

    Reply
  2. Pete Rainwater

    Great review! my curiosity will probably prompt me to purchase this Study Bible. Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Donald

    Hi Randy,
    Do you think there’s any chance that the Wiersbe study Bible may be offered in the KJV version at some point in the future? I have his complete commentary based on the Be Series and really enjoy them. To have his notes paired to the KJV would be a blessing to me! Thanks for a great and thorough review.

    Reply
    • Randy A Brown

      Thanks Donald. I haven’t heard of any plans for it in the KJV.

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