The ESV is my preferred translation, and when I was new to sound doctrine, I highly benefited from the ESV Study Bible. Reading the ESV Study Bible introduced me to the beauty of the protoevangelion (“first gospel”) in Genesis 3:15. The ESV Study Bible includes many helpful resources that I find beneficial for those who are new believers and/or new to sound doctrine. There are a variety of Bible translations that range from dynamic equivalence (thought for thought translations) to formal equivalence (word for word translations). I prefer the ESV because it uses formal equivalence.
There are many varieties of the ESV Study Bible available, and the cover of this one is composed of imitation leather. It looks nice and I like its overall design. This is a compact version of the ESV Study Bible, so it is smaller and probably a more helpful edition for taking to church, seminary classes, and/or Bible study. The first edition, which is larger, is probably best for home and/or office use.
When I don’t understand parts of Scripture, the ESV translation requires me to do the work of drawing closer to the original manuscripts and contexts, and this is work I enjoy. I think it’s worth noting that many of the men on the ESV translation committee hold to the complementarian position, which, at times, seems to read into the biblical texts things that are not there.
The note on Ephesians 5:23-24 references the Greek word kephale (“head”) and states that it, “. . . clearly refers to a husband’s authority over his wife. . . ” (emphasis is mine). I understand that there are various interpretations of this word, but ultimately, it’s not a primary issue. If this were so clear, there wouldn’t be a variety of perspectives on it, and as faithful scholars of the word, we need to acknowledge that interpretation sometimes leaves us with concepts we can’t perfectly explain or reconcile.
A more helpful interpretive approach would graciously acknowledge that there are varying views on interpreting certain words/passages (and that having a different interpretation does not equal straying from orthodoxy). Many who hold to complementarianism believe that 1 Timothy 2:12 prohibits women from preaching, and this often seems to extend beyond biblical bounds. One example, though not necessarily evidence, of this is that there aren’t any female scholars on the ESV Oversight Committee.
The Bible doesn’t mention translation committees, so I hope that in the future, Crossway will include female scholars on theirs. I do believe some of the interpreters convey their own convictions into the study notes. As I’ve studied the Bible, I’ve found freedom in studying various orthodox perspectives on nonessential issues and cultivating my own convictions. I would prefer for a study Bible to share the different views on secondary issues and encourage readers to study them and cultivate their own Spirit led convictions.
Overall, I find the ESV Study Bible incredibly helpful as it pushes readers closer to the multiple contexts at play when the events of Scripture occurred. It also does an excellent job of helping Bible students recognize the various literary genres of Scripture and how to understand them. The ESV Study Bible includes abundant resources that help readers know the Bible better, and the resources alone make it well worth the price.
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