The more time I spend with this particular Bible, the more I'm disappointed with it. I have the KJV (2nd printing). There are numerous typographical errors throughout, and a few instances in which the editor changed words from the traditional KJV text, presumably to make it more "readable."

What really turns me off to it, however, is the commentary. Often very good, it at times however, is just flat wrong, especially when dealing with the subject of election/predestination. Mr. Zodhiates is actually almost self-contradictory at points regarding this subject.

Given all that, I must say that the concept is a good one; that is, of having the words indexed to a Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek Lexicon that is included in the back. There have been numerous times I've been able to consult the dictionary in the back, when I did not have the cumbersome Strong's Concordance with me. The only downside to this is that not every word is indexed.

The edition I am actually reviewing is the 1990 printing with the New American Standard Text, published by AMG Publishers of Chattanooga, TN, 1-800-251-7206. There are literally dozens of so-called study Bibles out there all of which purport to bring the reader into a better appreciation of God's Word. Unfortunately, by using compromise translations and ear-tickling "devotional" notes, these Bibles draw the other direction. The Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible is quite refreshing to discover. It is the rock-solid and easy to read New American Standard translation teamed up with ancient and modern word study tools. Thus, you can learn what the Bible itself actually says rather than having a cute graphic and soundbite version of the truth. As a futher plus, the general editor and author of much of the study material is Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D., who as a learned Bible scholar and native Greek speaker is uniquely qulaified to hold forth on the New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ. Most highly recommended

The book is well organized and contains multiple illustrations of each highlighed Scriptural truth or principle. I was disappointed that many of them were quite dated (quotes from Spurgeon, Luther, and Wesley abound). If your audience isn't theologically literate to start with, many of the illustrations will have little meaning to them. The good news is that most of the examples can be translated into more comtemporary language. And with so many illustrations to choose from there should be something to suit your need.

Though part of an "exegetical series", this book is largely a pastoral and homilectic commentary on 1 Cor 5. Anyone looking for a serious exegetical examination of 1 Cor 5 will be dissappointed with this book. Apart from some lexical insights, there is no exegesis going on here and no dialogue with any recent (i.e. the past 30 years)literature, Most of the author's own bibliography is very, very dated and his claim that little scholarly attention is devoted to this chapter is simply inaccurate. A quick review of current literature on 1 Corinthians will show that a number of scholarly articles take up the issues addressed in 1 Cor 5 and a number of monographs treat the chapter quite extensively. Readers looking for a more complete exegetical and theological treatment of the issues in 1 Cor 5 would do well to look elsewhere.