Many thanks to Tyndale for providing me with a copy of the NLT Filament Wide Margin Bible in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links.
I feel like no matter how many times I review a Bible and completely fall in love with it, there’s always another one that comes along that I somehow love even more. Bibles are constantly evolving, and it seems like new ones are being released all the time. Over the years, I’ve reviewed quite a few, some I absolutely loved, some I liked but felt were missing a few key features, and others that honestly made me wonder, what was the publisher thinking?
After reviewing Bibles for years, I can confidently say I’ve developed a pretty good eye for what makes a Bible truly stand out.
This next one is the New Living Translation (NLT) Filament Wide Margin Journaling Bible, published by Tyndale House Publishers, a name that’s been trusted in the Christian world for generations. The NLT translation itself has been growing in popularity, especially among those who want a clearer, easier-to-understand reading experience.
The NLT Filament Wide Margin Bible was clearly designed with women in mind. It features a beautiful floral LeatherLike cover called “Grace and Bloom,” and it truly feels both elegant and high-quality. This isn’t just a Bible you read, it’s one you want to pick up and carry with you.
It’s also one of those Bibles that naturally draws attention. I honestly can’t count on my fingers how many times someone at church stopped me to compliment it. It’s the kind of design that other women immediately notice and ask about, which makes it a great conversation starter as well.
One of my favorite features is the wide margin layout, which gives you plenty of space for journaling, note-taking, or writing down prayers and reflections. If you’re someone who likes to jot notes the old fashioned way, like me, this is a great Bible for that.
You never have to leave the page or flip back and forth while studying. Everything can stay right there alongside the Word of God. There’s more than enough space for notes, and even a little doodling if that’s what helps you learn and remember Scripture better.
Now, I always want to be completely honest in my reviews, while the NLT is not my personal favorite translation, I do recommend it as a great tool for cross-referencing. It simplifies the wording of Scripture and presents it in a way that’s easy to understand, which can be especially helpful during deeper study or when you’re trying to understand what a certain Scripture may be saying.
Features I Love About the NLT Filament Wide Margin Bible
The NLT Filament Journaling Bible has so many features I love including:
- Wide 2.25″ ruled margins (they look just like notebook paper!)
- 8-point font (large enough to read without glasses)
- Single-column typesetting
- Words of Jesus in classic Red
- Flat-lay Smyth-sewn binding (great for study)
- Tyndale Verse finder
- Full-color visual overview of the Bible
- Presentation page (great for gifting)
- Ribbon marker
- New Living Translation (NLT)
- Comes incorporated with the Filament Bible App (more on this below!)
Who this Bible is Best For
The NLT Filament Wide Margin Bible is perfect for women of all ages. It’s designed to be approachable for early learners who are just starting to explore Scripture, yet detailed enough for those who consider themselves seasoned Bible scholars.
This Bible really jam-packs the Word of God with tools and features that make studying, journaling, and reflecting on Scripture easier and more enjoyable. It’s also great for interactive Bible study, thanks to the integration of the Filament Bible study app, wide margins, and thoughtful design.
If you’re a woman who ever wondered how they could better understand the Bible, this is a great standalone Bible.
Pros and Cons of the NLT Filament Bible
I tend to be critical of Bibles, after all, the Word of God is too important to risk a Bible that doesn’t support your study and reflection. The NLT Filament Wide Margin Bible has a lot to love, but there are also a few things I wish had been done differently to make it truly “perfect.”
Pros:
- Wide margins – I absolutely love that this Bible uses wide margins that are big enough to write in. There’s tons of space for writing, doodling, and note-taking.
- Beautiful design – The Grace and Blooms design is appealing and invites you to open the Word of God.
- Single column typesetting – This layout is easier to read, less cluttered, and distraction free.
- Words of Jesus in Red – no need to guess the words Jesus spoke because they are color-coded in classic red.
- Visual overview of the Bible – found in the back of the Bible, it includes things like maps, a color-coded diagram of Psalms, and more!
Cons:
- NLT Version – a thought-for-thought Bible version, not word-for-word.
- Not verse-by-verse – I feel like this layout is cleaner for Bible study.
- LeatherLike cover – feels like a hard plastic more than leather.
- Ribbon – only one ribbon, not great for bookmarking multiple books of the Bible.
What is the Filament App and How Does it Work?
The Filament App is a digital companion to the NLT Filament Bible that brings your study and journaling to the next level. Think of it as a high-tech Bible notebook that keeps all your notes, highlights, and study tools in one convenient place.
Here’s how it works:
- Sync Your Bible Notes: When you take notes in your Filament Bible, you can scan the page or enter them directly in the app so your thoughts are always backed up digitally.
- Access Media and Devotionals: The app provides reading plans, devotionals, and curated media related to passages, making your study more interactive and engaging.
- Search and Cross-Reference: You can search verses, highlight text, and link passages together—perfect for in-depth study or sermon prep.
- Personalized Experience: Organize your notes, bookmarks, and highlights however you want, making your Bible truly yours.
- Interactive Journaling: The app allows you to combine traditional journaling with digital features, so you can reflect, doodle, or annotate both on the page and online.
In short, the Filament App bridges the gap between traditional Bible study and modern technology, giving you flexibility whether you’re at home, at church, or on the go.
Final Thoughts:
The NLT Filament Wide Margin Bible is more than just a Bible, it’s a tool for study, reflection, and creative journaling. With its elegant Grace and Bloom cover, wide margins, and integration with the Filament App, it’s designed to help women of all ages engage deeply with God’s Word. Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned Bible scholar, or someone who loves taking notes and personalizing your study, this Bible makes it simple and enjoyable.
While the NLT translation may not be my personal favorite for in-depth study, it’s easy to read, approachable, and perfect for devotionals, journaling, and daily inspiration. Combined with the digital features of the Filament App, it brings a fresh, interactive way to connect with Scripture.
If you’re looking for a Bible that combines beauty, functionality, and thoughtful design, the NLT Filament Wide Margin Journaling Bible is worth checking out.
Grab your NLT Filament Wide Margin Bible today and start journaling your journey with God’s Word
Last Updated on 2 weeks ago by Crystal Carder