10 Reasons to Use a Hard Copy Bible

With improvement in technology, we can now have our Bibles at the palm of our hands (or rather, in our smartphones). The e-Bible is most certainly a useful tool. We can use the e-Bible to do word-searches, read commentaries, check dictionaries, compare translations, and more. Although I do use an e-Bible for my lesson preparation and in-depth Bible studies, I still use a hard copy Bible for personal reading, during worship, and during Bible classes. Here are 10 reasons why I believe a hard copy Bible is still important in this new age:

1. More Focus

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22)

An e-Bible can be a distraction, by virtue of the fact that it is located within our smartphones. We could be distracted by notifications while we’re trying to do our personal reading. We could be easily tempted to check other apps while the sermon is on-going. In contrast, the hard copy Bible helps us to stay focused on God’s Word.

2. More Reliable

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:24-25)

While God’s Word will certainly endure forever, our hard copy Bibles are not indestructible. However, I daresay the hard copy Bible will last longer than our smartphones. The hard copy Bible will not go battery-flat. The hard copy Bible will not break if we drop it on the floor. The hard copy Bible will not experience “technical difficulties.” In this regard, the hard copy Bible is more reliable and dependable.

3. More Reflection

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2)

We are meant, not only to read the Bible, but to meditate upon it. As we read God’s Word, we are meant to ponder upon it and apply it in our lives. On the e-Bible, we are more likely to scroll through the verses quickly. In contrast, the hard copy Bible encourages slower and deliberate reading and reflection.

4.  More Memorable

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11)

As Christians, we would do well to have God’s Word rooted in our hearts. But how can we have God’s Word in our hearts when we cannot even remember the words? Hence, memorizing Bible verses is always an important exercise. In this regard, the hard copy Bible is better for remembering Bible passages and verses. It is more effective for memorization because it engages multiple senses (seeing, touching, and even writing). It is more effective because slower reading leads to better retention. It is more effective because it builds “spatial memory” of Scripture (i.e. top left corner of right page, mid-section of left page etc.).

5.  More Familiarity

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18)

As Christians, it is important to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word, and to be familiar with the Scripture. In this regard, the hard copy Bible is arguably more effective. By manually turning the pages, we get a better familiarity with the Scriptures. We can know that Psalms is right in the middle of the Bible. We can know that Ephesians is right after Galatians. In contrast, with the e-Bible, we often go straight for the information we need, rather than gaining familiarity with the entire Book.

6. More Personal

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97)

As Christians, we want to develop a love for God’s Word. The hard copy Bible is arguably more effective in developing such a connection. We can choose a size that is right for us. We can customize the cover to our favorite design. We can write notes and make highlights on the pages. Many a Christian in times past has felt the agony of losing their personal Bibles. In contrast, the e-Bible often becomes just another app on our smartphones.

7. More Encouraging

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

It must have been so encouraging for Paul to find people at Berea who were ready to receive God’s Word and search the Scriptures for themselves. In times past, as the preacher preaches, we could help the sound of pages flipping as the congregants turn their Bibles: it was music to the preacher’s ears! Unfortunately, with the e-Bible becoming more popular, the flipping of pages has been replaced with eerie silence. The preacher wonders: are they turning their e-Bibles or doing something else?

8.  More Inviting

“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:30)

Philip the evangelist had the opportunity to preach the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch because he saw him reading the Bible. Perhaps we can pique someone’s interest by opening our Bibles, while we are sitting at the café, or even on the train. We hope and pray for doors of opportunity to preach the gospel wherever we go. However, with the e-Bible, this opportunity becomes less likely.

9. More Impact

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12)

The sword of the Spirit (i.e. God’s Word) has the power to pierce our hearts towards salvation. As preachers, we want to impress on the congregants the power of God’s Word. As soul winners, we want to impress on the lost the authority of the Holy Scriptures. As parents, we want to impress on the children the importance of the Bible. I would like to suggest that it is more impactful to present God’s powerful Word by showing them a hard copy Bible.

10. More Reverence

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The Bible is not just another man-made book. It is the Word of God. Hence, it deserves our reverence and respect. Unfortunately, it is so easy for the Word of God to become just another app in our smartphones. Are we giving God’s Word the respect that it deserves? Perhaps the hard-copy Bible can help us to cultivate such a reverence, by setting God’s Word apart (from other apps), and by intentionally and attentively engaging it on a regular basis.

Concluding remarks

Let’s be clear: the e-Bible is a very useful tool, and our Bible study can be enriched by the online resources that are available to us today. However, I hope that we do not ditch the hard-copy Bible. Having considered the 10 reasons above, I would still highly recommend every Christian to keep using a hard-copy Bible. Use it for your personal reading. Bring it for worship services and Bible classes. Present it to your children as the guiding authority for our lives. May we always cherish God’s precious Word.