Is ESV Bible Catholic? Truth About This Translation

So, you’ve picked up an English Standard Version (ESV) Bible. Maybe a friend recommended it, you saw it praised online for its readability, or you just liked the feel of the cover at the bookstore. But then a thought crosses your mind, especially if you come from a Catholic background or are curious about it: “Wait a minute… is the ESV Bible Catholic?”

I’ve been right there in that moment of confusion. The world of Bible translations can feel like an alphabet soup of acronyms—KJV, NIV, NABRE, RSV—and trying to figure out which one belongs to which tradition is a real challenge. You’re holding this book, a cornerstone of faith, and you’re not even sure if it’s the “right” one for you. It’s a totally valid question, and the answer isn’t just a simple yes or no; it opens up a fascinating story about history, theology, and tradition.

Let’s clear this up together, friend to friend.

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Key Takeaways Right Up Front

For those who want the quick answer, here it is. We’ll dive into the details below, but if you only read this part, you’ll have the basics.

• Not a Catholic Bible: The ESV is an evangelical Protestant translation. It was not published by the Catholic Church and does not have the Church’s official approval (the imprimatur) for liturgical use.
• It’s “Missing” Books: A standard ESV Bible contains 66 books. A Catholic Bible has 73 books. The seven books absent from the ESV are known as the deuterocanonical books (or the Apocrypha to Protestants).
• Translation Choices Matter: The ESV, while an excellent and respected translation, sometimes uses words and phrasing that reflect a Protestant theological perspective over a Catholic one. These are often subtle but can be significant.
• Useful, But with a Caveat: Despite not being Catholic, many Catholics find the ESV to be a fantastic resource for personal study, devotions, and reading due to its modern language and word-for-word accuracy. You just wouldn’t hear it read during Mass.

So, Where Did the ESV Even Come From?

I remember the first time I really tried to buy a “serious” study Bible. I walked into a Christian bookstore and was just floored by the options. It felt like choosing a car, with different models, features, and target audiences. The ESV was one of the most popular, sitting there in stacks with covers ranging from simple black leather to elaborate, artistic designs. I had to ask myself, “What’s the story behind this specific version?”

The ESV wasn’t created in a vacuum. Its history is key to understanding its identity.

• It has a family tree. The ESV was first published in 2001 by Crossway, a Protestant publisher. It stands in a long line of historic translations. Its great-grandparent is the famous King James Version (KJV) from 1611.
• Its direct parent is the RSV. More directly, the ESV is a major revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) from 1952. The RSV was a solid translation, but some evangelical scholars felt it was a bit too theologically liberal in places.
• The goal was “essentially literal.” The team behind the ESV wanted to create a translation that was both accurate to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts and also readable for a modern audience. They aimed for a “word-for-word” philosophy, trying to stick as closely as possible to the original structure and phrasing, in contrast to “thought-for-thought” translations (like the NIV) that prioritize conveying the overall meaning.

This origin story is firmly rooted in the world of evangelical Protestant scholarship. The committee of over 100 scholars who worked on it were brilliant and dedicated, but they were working from their own theological framework, which is distinct from the Catholic tradition.

The Biggest Difference: What About Those “Missing” Books?

The first time a Catholic friend pointed out that my Bible was “missing books,” I was honestly a little taken aback. Missing? It felt complete to me. How could it be missing entire books? This is probably the clearest and most significant distinction between a Protestant Bible like the ESV and a Catholic Bible.

Catholic Bibles contain seven books in the Old Testament that Protestant Bibles do not. These are:

• Tobit
• Judith
• 1 and 2 Maccabees
• Wisdom of Solomon
• Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus)
• Baruch
• Portions of Esther and Daniel are also longer in Catholic Bibles.

So why the difference? It all goes back to the time of the early Church and which collection of Jewish scriptures was used. The early Christians primarily used a Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint, which included these seven books. For centuries, they were just part of “the Bible.”

During the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, reformers decided to use the Hebrew canon of the Old Testament, which did not include these books. The Catholic Church, in response at the Council of Trent, definitively affirmed that these seven books, which they call the “deuterocanonical” books (meaning “second canon”), are indeed inspired Scripture.

Does It Actually Change Anything?

You might wonder if not having these books really matters. From a Catholic perspective, it certainly does. For instance, a key passage used to support the doctrine of Purgatory and the practice of praying for the dead is found in 2 Maccabees 12:44-46. Without that book in the ESV, a reader would never encounter that passage and the theology it underpins.

These books are woven into the fabric of Catholic thought, liturgy, and the Catechism. Their absence in the ESV is a foundational reason why it isn’t considered a Catholic Bible.

What About Word Choices? Does Subtlety Matter?

Okay, so the book count is a big, obvious difference. But there are also more subtle distinctions in the text itself. The translators of any Bible version have to make thousands of choices about how to render a specific word or phrase from an ancient language into modern English. Those choices can be influenced, sometimes unconsciously, by their theological background.

I once fell down a rabbit hole comparing different translations of the same verse, and it was eye-opening. It’s like how two news reporters can describe the same event using slightly different words that create a different impression.

A Classic Example: Mary’s Greeting

Let’s look at Luke 1:28, when the angel Gabriel appears to Mary.

• In the ESV (and most Protestant translations), Gabriel says: “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
• In Catholic translations (like the NABRE), it reads: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”

This might seem like a small thing. But “favored one” suggests an action God has done for Mary—He has shown her favor. “Full of grace,” on the other hand, suggests an inherent state or quality of Mary. This translation supports the Catholic understanding of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, the teaching that she was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception.

The ESV translation isn’t “wrong,” but it reflects a different theological lens. It’s a choice that a Protestant scholar would naturally make, just as “full of grace” is a choice a Catholic scholar would make to remain consistent with Church teaching.

Priests or Elders?

Another interesting example is how the Greek word presbyteros is translated. The ESV typically translates this as “elder,” which aligns with the leadership structure in many Protestant denominations (pastors, elders, deacons).

Catholic Bibles often translate it as “priest,” reflecting the Catholic understanding of the ordained priesthood. Again, both are plausible renderings of the Greek word, but the choice carries significant theological weight about the nature of church leadership and authority.

So, Can a Catholic Actually Use an ESV Bible?

This was the practical question that mattered most to me. I really liked the ESV’s style. It felt dignified without being archaic. Was I “breaking a rule” if I used it for my own reading?

The answer, I was relieved to find, is no. The Catholic Church does not forbid its members from reading Protestant Bible translations. In fact, many Catholic scholars and apologists use the ESV and respect it highly for its scholarship.

The key distinction is between personal study and liturgical use.

For your own personal reading, for Bible study groups, for devotions? The ESV is a fine tool. It’s a powerful and accurate translation of the 66 books it contains. Reading it can absolutely enrich your faith.

However, it is not approved for use in the liturgy. When you go to a Catholic Mass, the readings you hear will come from a version that has been officially approved by the Church for that purpose. In the United States, that’s the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE). This ensures that everyone in the Church is hearing and praying with the same approved text, which includes the full 73-book canon. For a deeper look into the formation of the biblical canon, this resource from the Wheaton College Graduate School provides a scholarly overview.

A Quick Pro/Con List for a Catholic Reader

If you’re a Catholic considering an ESV, it might be helpful to think of it like this:

Potential Pros:

• Modern and Dignified: The language feels contemporary without being overly casual. It retains a sense of poetry and gravitas.
• “Essentially Literal” Philosophy: For deep study, it’s helpful to have a translation that sticks close to the original wording and structure. It can reveal nuances you might miss in a thought-for-thought version.
• Excellent Resources: The ESV is incredibly popular, so there is a massive ecosystem of study Bibles, commentaries, and online resources built around it.

Potential Cons:

• Incomplete Old Testament: You will be missing the seven deuterocanonical books, which are an important part of Catholic Scripture.
• Protestant Theological Bias: As we discussed, some key verses are translated in a way that might conflict with or obscure Catholic doctrine.
• Not for Liturgy: You won’t be reading the same version you hear at Mass, which can sometimes be confusing.

The Final Verdict: A Tool in the Toolbox

So, let’s circle back to our original question: Is the ESV Bible Catholic?

The clear and simple answer is no. It’s a translation that was born out of the Protestant evangelical tradition, and it reflects that heritage in the books it includes and in some of its key translation choices.

But I think that’s the wrong final question to ask. A better question might be, “Is the ESV a good and useful Bible for a curious Christian, even a Catholic one, to read?” And to that, I would give a resounding yes, with the proper understanding.

Think of it as a tool. A hammer is not a screwdriver. If you need to turn a screw, a hammer is the wrong tool. But that doesn’t make it a bad hammer. The ESV is a fantastic tool for personal reading and study. It’s a beautifully crafted, highly respected translation that has helped millions of people connect with God’s Word.

For a Catholic, the key is to use it alongside a Catholic Bible like the NABRE or the RSV-2CE. Use the ESV for its readability and study aids, but turn to a Catholic version for the full canon of Scripture and for translations that align more closely with 2,000 years of Church tradition.

There’s no need to be afraid of it. Understanding where it comes from and what its strengths and limitations are allows you to appreciate it for what it is: a valuable and faithful witness to the majority of sacred scripture, created by fellow Christians who love the Word of God.

Frequently Asked Questions – Is ESV Bible Catholic