While most Bibles work for men or women, there are Bibles that appeal more to one or the other. The types of Bibles we’ll look at here include Best Men’s Study Bibles and Reading/Devotional Bibles for Men. We’ll not only look at Bibles specifically for men, but we’ll also look at best-selling Bibles and translations because of their proven appeal. These 8 Best Study Bibles For Men represent a variety of Bibles and help to find exactly what you need.
Best Men’s Study Bibles
Study Bibles are a wonderful addition to anyone’s library. Even if you don’t really want to dig into the Bible on your own, the commentary, history, study guides, and other information included in most Study Bibles are truly helpful.
Most Study Bibles are large – usually somewhere in the vicinity of 8.5″ X 6.5″ and weigh 3-4lbs. I’ve always used a Study Bible because the information included expands my perspective on what a verse, section, chapter, or book of the Bible may mean.
Most Study Bibles include some sort of Commentary. Of course, when you read any commentary, it’s exactly that – someone else’s opinion and comments. However, it can give you a starting point to begin verifying and learning for yourself.
It’s always a good idea to be like the Bereans! In Acts 17:11 NIV, Luke (the author of Acts) says this about the people of Berea, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
When you examine Scripture to see if another person’s words are true, you’re not engaging in a process of fault-finding. 10 people can see the same Scripture in 20 different ways or express their thoughts in 30 different ways!
The point is simply to verify meaning for yourself while listening to the Holy Spirit as He guides and speaks. A Study Bible is a wonderful tool to help you find all the treasure hidden in the Word of God and these are some of the best men’s study bibles.
NKJV Spirit-FIlled Life BIble
This isn’t a Bible made specifically for men, it’s just a great Study Bible. It’s been around for a long time and this is the most recent version. At this time, it’s only available in New King James Version. Jack Hayford of Church On The Way is the Executive Editor and is a well-known and trusted teacher, pastor, and author.
It is a large Bible – 9.25″x6.25″x2.00″ – and it weighs in at 3lbs 13ozs. I own and use this Bible and love it. The one pictured here is Black Leather, Indexed, Red-Letter, and the typeface is called Comfort Print. It’s a slightly larger, and easy-to-read font. The maps and other helps are in full color, there are 3 marker ribbons and the pages are gold-edged.
Christian Books says this, “Encounter the power of the word, walk in the freedom God intends, and experience the Holy Spirit with the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible. Now in a full-color third edition with new contributors, it is even more dynamic. With over 2 million copies sold, the NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible continues to equip God’s people to live in his kingdom, exercise gifts of the spirit, and lay hold of God’s promises.”
NIV Life Application Study Bible
Again, this Bible isn’t specifically for men. It’s the best-selling Study Bible there is, written in the New International Version translation which is the second most popular translation (after NKJV) that there is! All of that makes this a great study Bible. I don’t have room to list all the things this Bible offers, but here’s a short list:
- Over 10,000 Life Application notes and features
- Over 100 Life Application profiles of key Bible people
- Introductions and overviews for each book of the Bible
- 16 pages of full-color maps
- and, 10.8 point type size.
There are lots more but this gives you an idea of what makes this Bible so popular. It’s big! At 9.251″ X 6.50″ and weighing 4lbs 13ozs, there’s a lot there! The one pictured here is Third Edition, Soft Leather-look, and Thumb-Indexed and sells for $49.99. It will be available in other translations and is currently available in other bindings so once you get to Christian Book, just scroll down and you’ll find the other choices that are available.
Christian Book, “Trusted by over 20 million readers for over 30 years, the Life Application. Study Bible is today’s #1-selling study Bible because it answers real-life questions and provides you with practical yet powerful ways to apply those answers to your life every day. Now, it has been thoroughly updated and expanded, offering even more relevant insights for understanding and applying God’s Word to your life in today’s world.”
ESV Study Bible
The English Standard Version of the Bible is easy to read and understand. The Bible pictured here is the Personal Size Bible in Imitation Leather. Christian Book says this, “The ESV Study Bible, Personal Size ranks at the top of the list of the most comprehensive study Bibles ever published. It was created by an outstanding team of 95 leading Bible scholars and teachers from 9 countries, nearly20 denominations, and 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities. The ESV Study Bible features a wide array of study tools equivalent to a 20-volume Bible resource library, making it an invaluable resource for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s Word.”
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association voted this Bible Book of the Year. Here are a few of its features:
You can purchase it in leather or hardbound and in a Personal Size some of the extensive articles are eliminated but they are available online for free. In addition, the Bible has a lifetime guarantee!
- Over 50 educational articles
- 200 full-color maps
- Over 25,000 study notes
- Extensive book introductions
- 80,000 cross references
- 40 all-new illustrations including full color diagram sand architectural renderings
- and, Over 200 charts providing concise summaries and key insights. That’s not all the features but you get the idea!
NASB MacArthur Study Bible
This Study Bible has been a best seller for a long time. It’s based on Pastor John MacArthur’s verse-by-verse approach to the Bible. There are so many things included in this Bible that, again, I can’t begin to list all of them. Here are a few:
- 20,000 explanatory notes from Dr. John MacArthur
- Bible text in 9 point text, notes in 7.5 point
- More than 140 two-color maps, charts, timelines, and illustrations
- Complete introductions to each Bible book
- Concise articles on How We Got the Bible, How to Study the Bible, and Introduction to the Bible
- 80,000 cross-references
- An extensive concordance
- Bible reading plans
- Index to Key Bible Doctrines
- Outline of Systematic Theology
The New American Standard Bible is regarded as the most trusted interpretation of the original manuscripts. It’s also available in NKJV, ESV, and NIV which are all great choices. The Bible is 9.75″ x 7.00″ x 1.75″, weighs 3lbs 6ozs and the text is 9 points. You can also purchase a large print version. This one sells for $47.99 but there are several less expensive options.
Bibles For Men
CSB He Reads Truth Bible
Here are some of the best men’s study Bibles designed specifically for men. The CSB He Reads Truth Bible is one of those. In addition to the Bible for men, He Reads Truth also has a website called “He Reads Truth” for men. It’s an interactive site with a daily Bible verse. You can subscribe and have the verse sent to you each day. The goal of He Reads Truth is to create a community of men who are in the Word every day. They also have an app for Apple or Android.
The CSB translation is the Christian Standard Bible by Holman (also HCSB) and is also a proven and reliable translation of the Bible. Christian Book, “The CSB He Reads Truth Bible is a great resource for men seeking to know God’s Word. It includes well-crafted theological memos to increase biblical literacy. Each book of the Bible is color-coded by genre and features detailed book introductions, a reading plan, and full-color maps, charts, and timelines. This Bible invites every man to count himself as part of the He Reads Truth community of “Men in the Word of God every day.”
Some of the features of this Bible are:
- 66 hand-lettered key verses
- 17 full-color timelines
- 21 maps
- 122 charts (including infographics and lists)
- Illustrations
- Reading plans for every book of the Bible
- One-year Bible reading plan
- Book introductions
The Bible pictured here is 8.50 X 6.13 X 1.25 (inches) and weighs 3lbs 10ozs. It’s Thumb Indexed, Black LeatherTouch Imitation Leather and sells on Christian Book for $34.99.
NIV Men’s Devotional BIble
A Bible, Devotional, and Study Guide all in one. The New International Version is an excellent translation, easy-to-read, and the second most popular translation there is. Christian Book says this about the Bible for men, “The NIV Men’s Devotional Bible helps you apply God’s Word to your everyday life. The standard in Men’s devotional Bibles, it includes a full year of devotions along with application statements, questions for reflections, and more. Some of the contributors in this Bible aren’t names you’ll recognize. They’re ordinary men with extraordinary insights into the Scriptures. Others are well-known contemporary and classic communicators. Either way, these 312 weekday and weekend devotions are engaging, practical, and useful for your life today.“
Features include:
- A full year of weekday and weekend devotions, along with application statements, questions for reflection, and more
- Devotions written by a gifted author team also feature insights by writers such as Chuck Colson, Lee Strobel, Rick Warren, and Ravi Zacharias
- Multiple reading plans for year-after-year use
- Introductions for each book of the Bible
- Author index with biographical information on each contributor
- Subject index to help you locate topics easily
It’s not quite as big as some of the other Study Bibles. It measures 8.75 X 5.75 X 1.75 (inches) and weighs 2lbs 5ozs. The one pictured here is Hardbound but you can purchase it in imitation leather and there is also a compact version. The hardbound sells for $20.99 on Christian Book and is one of the great bibles for men.
Good News Translation Men’s Bible a Devotional Bible for Men
The Good News Translation is one of the easiest to read because it was written the way people speak today. At the same time, it is a translation, not a paraphrase. It’s relatable and understandable.
Christian Book, “Developed in partnership between the American Bible Society and the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries (NCMM.org), this Bible is packed with 72 devotionals and study guides authored by many of today’s Christian men leaders. All the devotional topics are powerful, enlightening, and relevant, such as, A Man’s Identity, Courage to Lead, How to Live Like A Christian Man, Being a Better Husband, Fleeing From Lust, and Jesus is a Model for Friendship.
The National Coalition of Men’s Ministries (NCMM.org) is a partnership of over 150 Christian men’s organizations in the US with the goal to advance the leadership of men into disciples of Christ and spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all men in America and ultimately around the world. The member organizations represent ministries, churches, and individuals around the country. Some of its member organizations include the Promise Keepers, Salvation Army, New Man Ministries, among others.”
The Bible pictured here is only available in Paperback which makes it very affordable at $12.99. It is 8.25 X 5.25 (inches) and weighs only 1lb 9ozs so is the lightest and least expensive while being a wonderful asset for all men.
NIV Every Man’s Bible
This Bible is in large print and, again, written specifically for men. Christian Book, “This is a man’s type of Bible—straight talk about the challenges of life. Every Man’s Bible has thousands of notes on topics from work, sex, and competition to integrity and more and trusted advice from the pros, just for men. Every Man’s Bible is written by the best-selling author of the Every Man’s series, Steve Arterburn.”
Here are some of the features of this Bible:
- Book introductions and 44 charts
- Study Notes—Help you gain a better perspective on a particular verse or passage
- Men, Women, and God—This feature focuses on two of the most important relationships in every man’s life: his relationship with God and his relationships with women
- Someone You Should Know—Profiles of men in the Bible and what their lives can teach us about the importance of faith in our own lives
- What the Bible Says About—Gives insight into the Bible’s vital message on all kinds of topics for daily living
- Perspectives—Glean bits of information from great men who have lived through many of the same issues and struggles that you face
- Personal Gold—Sound advice from the pros: Stephen Arterburn, Tony Evans, David Jeremiah, Tony Dungy, Chuck Smith, Jr., Dallas Willard, Michael Youssef, Gordon MacDonald, Bill McCartney, J. I. Packer, Joe Stowell, Chuck Swindoll, Henry Blackaby, Stuart Briscoe, Stephen Broyles, Don Everts, John Fischer, Leighton Ford, Ken Gire, Bill Hybels, Greg Laurie, James MacDonald, Josh McDowell, James Robison, and Gary Rosberg
The one pictured here is imitation leather, 9 point text, 9.19 X 6.50 X 1.50 (inches), and 3lbs 5ozs. It sells for $39.49 on Christian Book and is also available in Hardcover and Genuine Leather.
8 Great Bibles For Men
These 8 bibles for men are all wonderful options for a man looking for a Bible to study, a devotional, or a Bible just to read and meditate. There are hundreds and hundreds of Bibles for sale and Christian Book is a great place to find them. Amazon has a large selection of Bibles as well. You can look up publishers like Thomas Nelson and others to learn more about individual Bibles.
The Word of God is meant to be a living and active force in our lives. It is, after all, the revelation of God to man and should serve as our guide for life as a follower of Christ. As we study and consume the Word, it fills, strengthens, inspires, and enables us to be like Christ.
Just read through Psalms and see what King David thought about the Word of God. It was his life and hope and as you read through the Psalms you can see the major part it played in his life. If it worked for him, it will surely work for you.
Have fun searching for a new Bible, your first Bible, or just something different than what you already have. I like to read a new translation every year because It’s easy to reach a point where you are so familiar with one translation that you aren’t really thinking about and meditating on what it says. This year, I purchased the Passion Translation which is only a partial Bible at this point. It has the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs. It will eventually include the entire Old Testament and the goal of the interpreter was to bring out the deep feeling of God and man toward one another. However, I always refer back to NASB and NKJV.
If you want to know more about translations, please read – Bible Translations – Find The Best One For You
For more information on studying the Bible, please read – How to Study the Bible
You might also enjoy reading – 10 Best Bibles for Women