Like the NIV Application Commentary series on which it is based, the NIV Application Bible is unique. Most commentaries and study Bibles help us make the journey from the twenty-first century back to the first century. They enable us to cross the barriers of time, culture, language, and geography that separate us from the biblical world. Yet they only offer a one-way ticket to the past and assume that we can somehow make the return journey on our own.
The primary goal of the NIV Application Bible is to help you with the vital task of bringing an ancient message into a modern context. It features a comprehensive study system designed to bridge the enduring truths of the Bible in their original biblical, historical contexts with the practical realities of contemporary life.
These notes accompany the text of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible; they have been carefully curated from the NIV Application Commentary on the Bible, which was curated from the larger, bestselling NIV Application Commentary series. Paired with these extensive study notes are many other helpful study features.
The History of the NIV Application Commentary
The history of the note structure for this Bible begins in the mid-1990s. That’s when the Zondervan Academic team launched a concept for a new resource that would bring the ancient text of the Bible into a modern context in a new way. This massive project was intended to help pastors, teachers, and small-group leaders communicate to others the deeper meanings behind the words of Scripture in a way that would be accessible to all.
Since its release, which spanned over 25 years from the first volume to the last, the NIV Application Commentary series carefully followed a three-part process to help anyone communicate and apply biblical texts effectively in a contemporary context.
To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today’s world, each passage in the commentary series was addressed in three sections:
- Original Meaning: Concise exegesis helped readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.
- Bridging Contexts: Writers built a bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today by discerning what was timeless in the timely pages of the Bible.
- Contemporary Significance: This section identified comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explored relevant application of the biblical messages.
This unique, award-winning commentary in 44 volumes was curated down to a single volume, and from that single volume the Zondervan editorial team carefully crafted the study notes of the NIV Application Bible. The notes and features of this title were gathered with a view toward giving readers the tools, ideas, and insights they would need to better understand and communicate God’s Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.
How the NIV Application Bible Brings Ancient Truth to Your Daily Life
This unique edition has been meticulously crafted to provide both faithful interpretation of God’s Word and a practical guide for everyday living. The Bible’s enduring relevance lies in its inspired account of the relationship between God and his people, exploring the human condition and addressing themes such as love, faith, suffering, justice, and redemption.
From the creation narrative in Genesis to the prophetic visions of Revelation, the Bible offers insights that resonate across the ancient world and distant locations of the Bible. God has generously provided his Word to speak to the human heart and mind; yet understanding how these ancient texts apply to modern living can be challenging.
The Bible was written in vastly different cultural and historical contexts than the one we live in today, and its original audiences had different worldviews and life experiences. Understanding these contexts is essential for interpreting the text accurately. The study notes in the NIV Application Bible have been designed to serve as a bridge from the past to the present, helping readers navigate the cultural and historical gap between the biblical world and the world of today.
In addition, the Bible has always been meant to be read, discussed, and lived out within the context of the larger global community of faith. The study tools in this Bible can serve as a valuable resource for group studies, biblical studies courses, and other settings. These were among the original goals of the NIV Application Commentary series, from which the notes of this study Bible have been derived.
The NIV Application Commentary Resource Series
The NIV Application Bible has been designed as part of a wider body of resources, all of which have been crafted to bring the teachings of the Bible to life in today’s world. These resources are all based upon the 44-volume NIV Application Commentary series and include the NIV Application Commentary on the Bible, One-Volume Edition, an ongoing series of Bible studies, and other Bible reference titles. The valuable resources in this line are designed to augment and deepen your application of God’s Word to your life.
Whether you are seeking encouragement, wisdom, or a deeper connection with God, we pray that the NIV Application Bible will become an invaluable companion for every season of life.
Excerpted from the Introduction to the NIV Application Bible. Learn What the Bible Means. Discover What It Means for You.
The NIV Application Bible is also available as part of Bible Gateway Plus — try it free today!
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