What is the "Standard" Bible for Christians?

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

If you are new to Christianity, or perhaps returning to faith after a long time away, you might expect walking into a bookshop to be simple. You just want "The Bible."

But when you get there, you are faced with a wall of acronyms: NIV, KJV, ESV, NLT, CSB.

It raises a very reasonable question: Which one is the real one? Is there a standard Bible that everyone uses?

The short answer is: No, there is not one single "official" Bible.

However, the longer answer is much more helpful. While there is no global law on which Bible to read, there are definitely "standards" depending on who you are and where you go to church.

Here is a simple guide to the most common Bibles you will see in the UK today.

In short:

Is there a standard Bible for Christians?
There is no single "standard" Bible for all Christians, but there are dominant translations for specific groups. The New International Version (NIV) is the most common standard for evangelical churches and general reading in the UK due to its balance of accuracy and readability. The King James Version (KJV) remains the historical and literary standard. For serious study, the English Standard Version (ESV) is often considered the standard for "word-for-word" accuracy. Additionally, Catholic Bibles differ from Protestant Bibles as they contain 73 books rather than the standard 66.

1. The "Church Pew" Standard: The NIV

Full Name: New International Version

If you walked into an average evangelical church in the UK this Sunday, the Bible in the pew rack (and the one the preacher is reading from) is most likely the NIV.

Why is it the standard? It hits the "sweet spot." It isn't as difficult to read as the older versions, but it isn't as loose or informal as a paraphrase. It is accurate, dignified, and easy to understand.

• Verdict: If you just want to "fit in" and have the same Bible as most other people, pick the NIV.

2. The "Historical" Standard: The KJV

Full Name: King James Version

For over 300 years, this was the standard. If you think of the Bible, you probably hear the voice of the KJV in your head ("The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want").

Why is it the standard? It is the gold standard for literature and tradition. Many people still prefer it for its majestic, poetic language. However, it uses 17th-century English (thees, thous, and verilys), which can make it hard for modern readers to understand.

• Verdict: Choose this if you love history, poetry, or traditional liturgy.

3. The "Study" Standard: The ESV

Full Name: English Standard Version

In the last 20 years, the ESV has become the new standard for serious Bible study and theology.

Why is it the standard? It tries to translate the original Hebrew and Greek "word-for-word" rather than "thought-for-thought." This makes it slightly stiffer to read aloud, but excellent for digging into the precise meaning of the text.

• Verdict: Choose this if you want to study theology or want a very literal translation.

4. The "Catholic" Standard

It is important to note that Catholic Bibles are slightly different from Protestant ones. The "standard" Protestant Bible (like the ones listed above) has 66 books. The standard Catholic Bible has 73 books (including the Apocrypha).

If you are attending a Catholic church, you will want a translation like the NRSV-CI (New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition) or the ESV-CE.

So, Which One Should You Buy?

If you are still unsure, here is our advice: The best standard is readability.

A "standard" Bible that sits on your shelf gathering dust is useless. A Bible you actually read is priceless.

• If you want something easy to read like a novel, try the NLT (New Living Translation).
• If you want what most churches use, try the NIV.
• If you want tradition, try the KJV.

We have built a tool to help you filter through these options in seconds.

Find your next Bible here

Not sure which Bible is right for you? You can learn more in our free 97-page ebook, 'How to Choose Your Bible'.