I used this translation quite extensively during my study of the book of Daniel. The prose of the scriptures in this translation is quite beautiful, but there are numerous inconsistencies and historical inaccuracies within even just the book of Daniel that the commentary and footnotes either fail to properly explain, hand-wave away, or ignore altogether. I realize that this was not meant for critical studies, but it would have been nice to see at least some acknowledgment of problems with the scriptures instead of simply presenting them as infallible. After all, the bible is a religious and political volume, not a historical one. ( )

Basic Review: The ESV study Bible is a fine Study Bible for those seeking a solidly readable and solidly translated Bible with brief commentary on the text. This work gives a solid interpretation of key Bible passages in the footnotes. It is Reformed leaning in the study notes but is certainly not a Reformed Study Bible. One often stated detraction of this translation is that many of those opposed to Reformed theology, particularly the Calvinistic branch, have come to believe that this translation twists all foot notes towards the Calvinistic Reformed perspective. This simply is not true.The study note on John 3:16 proves this point. Let me quote that section here.

John 3:16 Here is the most famous summary of the gospel in the entire Bible. For connects to v. 15 and explains what happened to make it possible that someone can “have eternal life” (v. 15), that is, through believing in Christ. God so loved the world was an astounding statement in that context because the OT and other Jewish writings had spoken only of God's love for his people Israel. God's love for “the world” made it possible for “whoever” (v. 15) believes in Christ, not Jews alone, to have eternal life. God's love for the world was not mere sentiment but led to a specific action: he gave his only Son, which John elsewhere explains as sending him to earth as a man (v. 17) to suffer and die and thereby to bear the penalty for sins (see note on 1 John 2:2; cf. Rom. 3:25). On “only Son,” see note on John 1:14, which contains the same Greek phrase. The purpose of giving his Son was to make God's great gift of eternal life available to anyone—to whoever believes in him, that is, whoever personally trusts in him (see note on 11:25). Not perish means not perish in eternal judgment, in contrast to having eternal life, the life of abundant joy and immeasurable blessing in the presence of God forever. Those who “believe in” Christ have that “eternal life” and already experience its blessings in this present time, not yet fully, but in some significant measure (ESV Study Bible, all rights reserved).

So here is the famous passage that those who lean towards Arminianism, Pelagianism, and the various forms of modern "evangelical" thought use as a chief proof text for their man-centered view of salvation resulting from man's profession of faith. Th ESV footnotes avoids the issue of defining the whosoever. If this where a hyper or super Reformed study bible it would rightly state that the word for world or kosmos is reference specifically including the elect outside of Israel that are part of God's redemptive community. This text does affirm Reformed tenets but does not do so outside of clearly definable biblical ideas. It is worth studying for theological considerations that are leaning towards that tradition. It is not a polemic for Reformed theology per se as deep as the Reformation Study Bible. Instead it is a polemic for Biblical theology and is a fine study Bible to go along with a wonderful translation.

PROS: Solid translation of the Scriptures. Wonderful Study Notes including great articles at the end of the Bible.

CONS: Could probably use more footnotes for variant readings and more cross references. ( )

see: http://free-in-truth.blogspot.com/sea... ( )