The Expanded Bible

I have a new author to review: God. :-) Actually, I am actually reviewing a new Bible, not what God says in the Bible.

I saw this Bible on the Nelson review site, and was intrigued. Here is what they say about it:


The Expanded Bible: New Testament reflects the latest scholarship, current English, and the needs of contemporary students of the Bible. This new testament includes a multitude of study aids right in line with the text. Expanded translations and other helps make it possible for you to study the Bible while you read.

◦Expanded translations bring out the meaning of words and offer alternative wordings.
◦Literal meanings of words and phrases from the original languages offer additional understanding.
◦Traditional wordings recall familiar terms and expressions.
◦Comments help explain content.
◦References supply rewarding opportunities for comparing other Scriptures.
◦Variations provide additional wordings from the ancient manuscripts.

I received the Bible last week, and have been reading it daily for my devotions, and also looking through it and reading different verses throughout the day, and I like it. It is a bit reminiscent of the Amplified Bible, but different.

It not only gives additional words to use in place of a given word, it also lists other references right within the verse that are pertinent, and will also give an explanation. Here are a few examples:


John 3: 14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the ·snake [Tserpent] in the
·desert [wilderness; CMoses put a bronze snake statue on a
pole, and those who looked at it were healed of snake bites;
Num. 21:4–9], the Son of Man must also be lifted up [C an allusion
to the cross and resurrection]. 15So that everyone who
·believes can have eternal life in him [or believes in him can
have eternal life].


I Corinthians 13:1 I may speak in ·different languages [Ltongues;
12:10, 29, 30] of people or even angels. But if I do
not have love, I am only a ·noisy [resounding] ·bell [gong]
or a ·crashing [clanging] cymbal.

Romans 3:23-24 23[LFor; Because] Everyone has
sinned and ·fallen short [or is not worthy of] of God’s ·glorious
standard [or glorious presence; Lglory], 24and all need to
be ·made right with God [justfied; declared righteous] as a
free gift by his grace, ·by being set free from sin [Lthrough
the redemption that is] ·through [or in] Jesus Christ.


A brief explanation of some things above: a "bullet" - or dot - before a word, indicates which word the bracketed information is about.

An "L" before a word, indicates a more literal rendering of the original language

A "T" before a word provides familiar terms and well-known renderings from past translations.

A "C" briefly provides historical, cultural, theological, or other explanatory information to help a reader understand a verse. And there are other such features not shown in the above verses.


This Bible would be great for a new Christian, or for anyone wanting to get more out of their Bible reading. I myself am enjoying it and finding it very helpful.

I do wish they used red lettering for Christ's words - you just get used to that, and this Bible is actually only the New Testament, so I am hoping they do the Old Testament eventually.

The translation itself is easy to read, and I like it. Overall, I am very impressed with this Bible. It is available in hardcover or paperback.

And if you'd like to check it out in more detail, there is a PDF version available for free here: The Expanded Bible.


Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2009 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.