Is it wrong to highlight and/or write notes in a Bible?

Answer

Some individuals choose to highlight sections in their Bible while reading, while others extensively jot down what they learn, writing in the margins, in the column divisions, between the lines—wherever they can fit some words in. Conversely, some individuals perceive such annotation as unwise or possibly sinful.

Those who regard the act of taking notes in one’s Bible as inappropriate most likely hold that stance out of a profound reverence for God’s Word and a great deal of caution against sacrilege. They may also have reservations due to biblical admonitions such as this: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll” «For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: », (Revelation 22:18).

Whether the concerns arise from a fear of judgment or a love for God, the simple answer is, no, it is not sinful to highlight or make notes in a Bible. Here are some reasons why:

• Our Bibles already contain human-added “highlights” and “notes” in the form of chapters and verses. Chapter divisions were added to God’s written Word in AD 1227 by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Verse divisions were added to the Old Testament by a Jewish rabbi in 1448 and to the New Testament by a Christian in 1555.

• Study Bibles include commentary and references to related verses. Some of those commentaries may contain errors, or at least present differing opinions among sincere Christians. Nonetheless, this is not a sin; the notes in a study Bible reflect attempts to elucidate God’s Word and aid all Christians in achieving unity (John 17:23).

(John 17:23; Ephesians 4:13)—in this instance, unity of knowledge of Scripture.

• Taking notes to aid in growing one’s understanding of what God has revealed is not supplementing Scripture. Personal notes are clearly separate from the text of Scripture. Writing “Praise the Lord!” in the margin beside John 1:12 does not confer apostleship, and no rational individual would confuse that notation for an effort to enhance God’s Word.

Some versions of the Bible feature wide blank margins on each page, or entirely blank pages opposite text pages, specifically for the purpose of adding personal notes. Notes individuals opt to jot down in their Bible encompass

– main points of an outline

– definitions of words

– highlighting recurring themes or words

– cross-references to other verses

– indicators of key passages concerning major Christian doctrines

– pointers to the subsequent passage in a list (e.g., for following the Roman’s Road)