Which Bible Does the Church of England Use?

If you have recently started attending a Church of England (CofE) parish, you might want to buy a Bible so you can follow along with the Sunday readings at home. But when you go online to buy one, you are immediately hit with dozens of different translations and acronyms.

You might wonder: Does the Church of England have an "official" Bible? The short answer is yes, but it isn't just one book! Because the Church of England is a "broad church" - meaning it encompasses a wide variety of traditions, from very modern, charismatic services to highly traditional, high-church liturgy - it officially authorises a handful of different translations to suit different congregations.

Here is a quick guide to the Bibles used by the Church of England, and which one you should choose.

1. The Historic Classic: The King James Version (KJV)

For hundreds of years, the answer to this question was very simple. The Church of England used the Authorised Version, universally known today as the King James Version (KJV).

Commissioned by King James I in 1604 and published in 1611, this translation was specifically designed to be read aloud in Church of England services. Its majestic, poetic rhythm shaped the English language as we know it.

Today, while the KJV is still officially authorised and occasionally used for historic services (like Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer), it is rarely used as the primary teaching Bible in modern Sunday services because the 400-year-old English can be difficult for modern congregations to understand.

2. The Modern Standard: The NRSV (Anglicised)

When the Church of England updated its official liturgy with the introduction of Common Worship in the year 2000, it authorised several modern translations. The most prominent among them is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

If you see a massive, beautiful Bible sitting on the brass eagle lectern at the front of a traditional C of E parish, there is a very high chance it is an NRSV.

• Why it's used: The NRSV is highly regarded by scholars for its strict accuracy to the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.
• The Anglicised Edition: The Church of England specifically uses the Anglicised edition, meaning American spellings and idioms have been updated to British English (e.g., "Saviour" instead of "Savior").
• The Apocrypha: Many Anglicans prefer to buy the NRSV with Apocrypha. The Church of England does not use the Apocrypha to establish core doctrine, but the 39 Articles of Religion state these historical books are valuable to read for "example of life and instruction of manners."

3. The Popular Choice: The NIV (Anglicised)

While the NRSV is often read from the front, the New International Version (NIV) is arguably the most common Bible you will find sitting in the actual pews, especially in evangelical or family-focused Church of England parishes.

• Why it's used: The NIV strikes a brilliant balance. It is highly accurate, but it reads at roughly a 7th-grade reading level. It feels modern, fresh, and conversational, making it the perfect translation for youth groups, new believers, and daily personal reading.
• The Anglicised Edition: Just like the NRSV, the NIV UK (or Anglicised Edition) ensures the grammar, weights, and measurements make sense to a British reader.

4. Other Authorised Translations

While the NRSV and NIV are the most common, the Church of England's Common Worship guidelines also authorise several other excellent translations to be read in church, including:

• The ESV (English Standard Version): A highly literal, word-for-word translation that is growing in popularity in conservative evangelical parishes.
• The Good News Bible (GNB): A very simple, easy-to-understand translation often used in children's ministries and all-age services.
• The Jerusalem Bible: Originally a Catholic translation, favoured by Anglo-Catholic parishes for its literary beauty.

The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If your goal is to follow along with the vicar on a Sunday morning, the best thing you can do is simply ask your church office which translation they put on the screen or read from the front!

However, if you are looking for a fantastic all-rounder for personal study and church use, you cannot go wrong with an NIV Anglicised Bible for smooth, everyday reading, or an NRSV Anglicised Bible for deeper, academic study.

Browse our full collection of UK & Anglicised Bibles Here

If you aren’t sure which Bible to get, there are a few ways we can help.

1. Try the Bible Finder: We’ve put together a simple way to filter down to the perfect Bible for you. Just choose a translation, pick the features you want and select a comfortable text size. You can try the Bible Finder here.
2. Read more from the Blog: We are always adding new guides, insights and articles that explore ways of understanding the different Bibles available today, as well as how to make your decision. Read our Bible posts today
3. Read our Book: Over the years, we’ve explored hundreds of topics and questions about knowing which Bible to get. We’ve compiled all that information into an easy-to-read eBook that is completely free to download. Download our book “How to Choose Your Bible” today.