What is the Ryrie Study Bible?

TL;DR:

The Ryrie Study Bible is a widely used study Bible filled with over ten thousand notes, maps, and articles designed to help readers understand Scripture, its context, and key doctrines. While its notes reflect human interpretation, the Ryrie Study Bible equips believers to study, apply, and engage with God’s Word more effectively.

what does the bible say?

The Ryrie Study Bible is a comprehensive study tool designed to help believers understand and engage with Scripture more deeply. Created by Charles Caldwell Ryrie and first published in 1978, it combines the biblical text with over ten thousand explanatory notes, full-color maps, timeline charts, and book introductions that provide historical background, themes, authorship, and outlines. Beyond standard notes, it includes unique articles by Ryrie on key doctrines, the harmony of the Gospels, and the history of the Bible, reflecting his influence as a leading twentieth-century theologian and proponent of premillennial dispensationalism.

The Ryrie Study Bible is one way to dig deeper into the pages of the Bible. Scripture itself encourages such study. Several of the Psalms indicate the benefits of reading and reflecting on God’s word (Psalm 1:1-3, 19:7-11, 119:9-11, 119:97-105). In the New Testament, Jesus responds to Satan’s temptations with Scripture, showing that believers should be so familiar with Scripture that we can do the same; this doesn’t mean merely memorizing verses, but requires deep study of their context. The Bereans are commended because they diligently studied the Scriptures to confirm what they were being told (Acts 17:11). In several of the apostle Paul’s letters, he exhorts believers to study God’s word, and he reinforces the value of Scripture (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Resources like the Ryrie Study Bible can equip readers to study the Bible thoughtfully, apply its teachings, and gain insight into its historical, cultural, and linguistic context, though it can never carry the same authority as Scripture.

from the old testament

Proverbs 2:1–6 emphasizes seeking wisdom and understanding, which aligns with the Ryrie Study Bible’s goal of providing explanations, commentary, and insight to help readers understand difficult passages.
Psalm 119:105 describes God’s Word as a lamp to guide our path, reflecting the principle behind study Bibles: equipping believers to live faithfully through knowledge of Scripture.

from the new testament

Jesus responded to Satan’s temptations with God’s word (Matthew 4:1-11). This example shows that knowing Scripture is a defense against the enemy. Knowing it involves studying it, study which can be supplemented by resources like the Ryrie Study Bible.
Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for examining the Scriptures daily to verify teachings, demonstrating the value of study aids that help believers understand context, history, and doctrine.
In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul encourages Timothy to “rightly handle the word of truth,” supporting the use of tools like the Ryrie Study Bible to study, interpret, and apply Scripture accurately.
Shortly later in that same letter to Timothy, Paul tells Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Appreciation for the divine wisdom in Scripture drives interest in study resources, such as Ryrie’s Study Bible.

implications for today

The Ryrie Study Bible is a a Bible that includes study notes, which were composed and edited by Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D (1925—2016). It was Moody Press's first Bible project and was originally published in 1978. This resource is available in many translations, including ESV, NASB, and KJV, among others (meaning Ryrie's notes are included with the biblical text of those translations). It has sold over 2.6 million copies.

The Ryrie Study Bible includes over ten thousand explanatory notes and is meant to act as a source for multiple Bible study needs. It has notes providing historical background, word definitions, and references to other passages of Scripture relating to the same subject. There are full-color maps and timeline charts. Each Bible book has an introduction that covers authorship, date, background, themes, and an outline of the contents of the biblical book. Plus, it includes a reading plan to help readers complete the Bible in one year.

However, what differentiates the Ryrie Study Bible from other study Bibles are the articles written by Ryrie including a Synopsis of Bible Doctrines, Harmony of the Gospels, How We Got Our Bible, and other informational pieces. Charles Caldwell Ryrie was a chief proponent of premillennial dispensational eschatology and is considered to be one of the most influential American theologians of the twentieth century. He taught systematic theology at Dallas Theological Seminary (as well as teaching at Cairn University and Tyndale Theological Seminary) and authored thirty-two books including The Miracles of Our Lord and So Great Salvation, which won the Gold Medallion Book Award.

But believers must realize that all notes, articles, and other additional information in the Ryrie Study Bible, as in any study Bible, are from a human author and do not carry the same authority as the God-inspired Scripture. However, if readers are interested in furthering their knowledge of the Bible, including its history, archaeological background, geographical references, and topical subjects, the Ryrie Study Bible is an invaluable resource.

understand

The Ryrie Study Bible (1978) combines Scripture with more than ten thousand notes, maps, and charts to explain context and key doctrines.
The Ryrie Study Bible includes Ryrie’s articles on doctrine, Gospel harmony, and Bible history.
Though its notes are human interpretation, the Ryrie Study Bible equips believers to study, apply, and engage with God’s Word effectively.

reflect

How do you study God’s Word to properly understand and apply it?
How have you benefited from a study Bible or Bible study tools to understand the context and application of God’s Word?
In what areas of your Bible study could additional historical, cultural, or doctrinal context help you apply God’s Word more faithfully?

engage

How might using resources like the Ryrie Study Bible change the way we interpret difficult passages?
What benefits and limitations are there in depending on a human author’s commentary alongside Scripture?
How can we encourage each other to use study tools wisely without letting them replace personal engagement with God’s Word?