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NKJV, Personal Size New Testament, Black Genuine Leather, Red Letter, Comfort Print Review

A Bible Teacher’s Perspective: The Perfect Portable New Testament

As someone who leads weekly Bible studies and constantly finds myself needing quick access to Scripture throughout the day, I’ve been searching for the ideal New Testament companion to my full study Bible. This NKJV Personal Size New Testament has exceeded my expectations in every way.

Form Factor and Portability

The dimensions are what first caught my attention. It’s genuinely personal-sized—easy to slip into a messenger bag or even a large jacket pocket—but here’s the key difference from other “personal” editions: the font isn’t sacrificed for portability. The 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print is remarkably readable, even during extended study sessions. After years of squinting at compact Bibles with microscopic type, this feels like a revelation. The two-column layout maintains readability while keeping the book trim.

The thinness is impressive. Unlike a full Bible, this doesn’t add bulk, making it ideal for travel or daily carry. I’ve started bringing it to meetings, visits, and anywhere I might have an opportunity to reference Scripture without hauling my full study Bible.

Quality and Craftsmanship

The leather cover feels premium without being ostentatious. The gilded page edges aren’t just decorative—they protect the pages and give the book a finished, elegant appearance.

The paper quality deserves special mention. Many Bibles use paper so thin you can practically see through to the next page, making annotation difficult and reading distracting. This edition strikes an excellent balance—the pages are substantial enough to minimize bleed-through while keeping the overall book lightweight. The red-letter formatting for Christ’s words is clear without being garish.

For Teaching and Study

As a Bible teacher, I appreciate several practical features. The NKJV translation itself remains my go-to for teaching because it maintains the literary beauty of the KJV tradition while being accessible to modern readers. The translator notes are invaluable for deeper study, offering insights into textual variants and manuscript developments.

The ribbon bookmark is essential for teaching—I can mark my place for the week’s study passage and flip quickly when referencing cross-passages. Speaking of which, this has become my favorite tool for New Testament-focused studies. When I’m teaching through Ephesians or Galatians, I don’t need the weight and distraction of the Old Testament. Having just the New Testament keeps me—and my students—focused on the material at hand.

Practical Applications

This New Testament has found several uses in my routine:

  • Preparation: Lighter than my full Bible when I’m working on lesson prep at coffee shops
  • Reference: Perfect for comparing passages when I already have my study Bible open—easier than constantly flipping between testaments
  • Lending: When someone asks to borrow a Bible, I’m more comfortable loaning this than my heavily-annotated study Bible
  • Travel: Fits easily in carry-on luggage without the bulk

Minor Considerations

The paper, while substantial, has a matte finish. Some readers prefer slightly glossy paper for easier page turning, though I find the matte finish reduces glare under artificial light. This is purely a personal preference issue.

Also, this is New Testament only—no Psalms or other Old Testament books that some NT editions include. If you want Psalms, you’ll need to look elsewhere. For my purposes, I prefer the focused approach.

Final Thoughts

For anyone who teaches, studies, or simply wants a more portable way to carry Scripture, this NKJV New Testament is exceptional. It’s beautifully crafted, eminently practical, and priced reasonably for the quality. Thomas Nelson clearly understood that “personal size” shouldn’t mean “impossible to read,” and they’ve created something that works for serious study, not just casual reading.

I genuinely wish more publishers would follow this model with other translations. Having options in this form factor would serve the Christian community well. As it stands, this is the best portable New Testament I’ve found, and it’s become an indispensable part of my teaching toolkit.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Whether you’re a teacher, student, or simply someone who wants Scripture accessible throughout your day, this edition delivers on every front.

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Hank Garner

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The Believer’s Creed

I believe in the eternal God— 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit— 
One in essence, infinite in glory, 
the Maker of heaven and earth, 
whose wisdom shaped all things seen and unseen. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, 
the only begotten Son of God, 
conceived by the Holy Spirit, 
born of the Virgin Mary, 
holy and humble, yet Lord of all. 
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
was crucified, died, and was buried; 
He descended into the depths of hell, 
and on the third day He rose victorious. 
He ascended into heaven, 
and now reigns at the right hand of the Father, 
from where He will come again 
to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, 
the breath and power of God within us, 
who gives life, convicts hearts, and sustains faith. 
Through the Spirit, the Church is made holy, 
a communion of saints across all generations. 
I believe in the forgiveness of sins, 
the resurrection of the body, 
and life everlasting in the presence of God. 

I believe in the sacred mystery of the Trinity— 
not three gods, but one holy unity: 
Father, Son, and Spirit—eternal, unchanging, divine. 

I believe in the sacred story revealed in Scripture: 
that from the beginning, light has warred against darkness, 
and though the enemy rose in pride, 
God’s promise prevailed through the Seed— 
Christ Jesus, born of a woman, 
who triumphed through His cross and empty tomb. 

I believe salvation is a gift of grace— 
received by faith, sealed by repentance, 
and made real through the transforming love of God. 

I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, 
a lamp for our path and truth for every soul. 

I believe in the call of baptism— 
a burial of the old, a rising to new life in Christ. 

I believe the Holy Spirit empowers believers 
with gifts of healing, wisdom, and tongues, 
that we may glorify God and serve the world in love. 

I believe in divine healing, 
for the power that raised Christ from the grave 
still moves with mercy among His people. 

The Believer’s Charge 

We believe that we are called and anointed— 
not as spectators, but as servants of the living God. 
We are His witnesses in all the earth, 
ambassadors of reconciliation and bearers of His light. 

We believe that Christ has commissioned us 
to go into the world and proclaim His gospel, 
to speak truth to the lost and hope to the broken, 
to open blind eyes and set captives free. 
In His name we move without fear, 
for the Spirit goes before us with power and signs. 

We believe the promise of our Lord: 
that these signs will follow those who believe— 
we shall cast out demons in His name, 
speak with new tongues of heavenly fire, 
lay hands upon the sick and see them restored, 
tread upon the works of the enemy, 
and walk in the authority of the risen Christ. 

We believe that the Spirit within us 
confirms the Word with power and grace— 
that we are vessels of His love, 
agents of His mercy, 
and temples of His presence. 

We choose to live as those sent by God, 
our hearts aflame with His gospel, 
our hands ready to serve, 
our voices lifted in praise, 
our lives poured out for His glory. 

The Blessed Hope

I believe in the glorious return of Jesus Christ, 
who will restore all things 
and reign in righteousness and peace. 

And I believe in eternal life— 
the home prepared for the redeemed, 
and the solemn truth of judgment for the unrepentant. 

This is our faith, our confession, our calling, and our hope. 
To God be the glory—forever and ever. 
Amen.

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