The NIV Radiant Virtues Bible is a beautiful Bible that focuses on the virtues which the Apostle Paul focuses on in 1 Corinthians 13. It is designed with faith, hope, and love brought to focus all throughout God’s Word. This Bible comes in the NIV translation and, as I often recommend for NIV Bibles, it would make an excellent companion to a literal translation study Bible.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

I received a complimentary copy of the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid in exchange for an honest review of this Bible. You can find even more information about this Bible here. #BibleGatewayPartner

This Bible is published by Zondervan, a company that specializes in publishing and providing Christian resources. Zondervan is the publisher of the NIV translation, which is the translation used for the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible.

As with any Bible, the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible isn’t for everyone, but there are many qualities to appreciate. To help you make a more informed decision about whether to get this as your first or next Bible, or as a gift for a loved one, we will walk through some key points together that I like to consider when shopping for a Bible as well as some information I believe to be helpful when making your decision.

What purpose does the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible serve?

The purpose of the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible is to help Bible readers find, focus on, and grow in understanding of the virtues of faith, hope, and love throughout scripture. All over this beautifully designed Bible are passages highlighted in coded colors for each theme, a reading plan focusing on these virtues, and articles that cover each topic along the way. These are all designed with the purpose to study the virtues of faith, hope, and love and to draw readers closer to God.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

The NIV Radiant Virtues Bible reading plan begins and ends with love because love is the first and the last virtue listed in 1 Corinthians 13, and because it is the greatest of these virtues (1 Cor. 13:13). The emphasis on these themes is what this Bible is all about. Faith, hope, and love are the key traits Christians should live in and live out. Growing in our understanding of each can help both new and seasoned Christians develop a stronger understanding of faith, hope, and love throughout scripture and therefore apply them to your own life and relationship with God.

I find it important to point out that the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible is an addition to the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible collection. I have the Inspire Journaling Bible, which is the NLT equivalent of the Beautiful Word Bible, and I personally love coloring and journaling Bibles. They are an incredible way to worship, pray, and study while using creativity in scripture.

Along with the focus on faith, hope, and love the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible gives creative Bible readers lots of opportunities to express their creativity while reading and studying the Bible. You will find ample space and inspiration for journaling and art throughout the key features.

What are the key features of the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible?

There are many wonderful features in the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible to help Bible readers focus on the themes of faith, hope, and love throughout scripture in creative ways. Some of the features include:

• Highlighted verses color coded for faith, hope, and love
• Blank calendar page to fill in Bible reading plan
• Lined prayer pages
• Note-taking margins
• Bible verse art throughout the Bible
• Bible verse coloring pages
• Table of Weights and Measures
• Perforated Bible verse art pages

It also comes with several Bible reading plans, which I personally think is amazing. You not only have the specific virtues reading plan at the front but several in the back to keep you coming back through the Bible and focusing on several important themes in scripture. The following reading plans are included, and again keep in mind the fancy blank calendar in the front to help you plan out your study schedule.

• Virtues Themed Bible Reading Plan
• 30 Days with Jesus Reading Plan
• 30 Days of Great Faith Reading Plan
• 60 Day Overview of the Bible Reading Plan
• On Year Through the Bible

There are quite a few features, but I find this Bible so balanced in its design that it does not feel crowded or over-filled. It is a wonderful balance of creative space, note-taking margins, articles, and inspirational artwork. This Bible would be a great option for a lot of people, no matter your creative abilities or desires.

How do you use the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible?

With its full list of key features, the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible is designed to encourage consistent reading of the Bible. You can fill out the blank calendar to map out your reading plan using the included plans or come up with your own, record your prayers in the prayer pages, and read through the passage planned and their accompanying articles to help you study deeper. It certainly can be used as a Bible that holds a starter prayer journal, Bible study journal, and reading plans.

I personally love the features and layout. I appreciate that this Bible is laid out to encourage a reading schedule as well as prayer, and has many juicy features to help Christians artistically dive deeper into the themes of faith, hope, and love every day.

Who do I recommend the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible for?

I highly recommend the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible. As I said above, I typically recommend the NIV translation be used as a companion to a literal translation, but the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible could certainly make an excellent first Bible for someone just getting started. I also see it as a wonderful Bible for someone who wants to begin prayer journaling or begin a Bible reading routine.

If you are someone with a growing inventory of Bibles, this would definitely be a nice addition to your study Bibles or a standard Bible in other translations. I really enjoy using my NIV Bibles side-by-side with an NKJV, ESV, or even a CSB to use together. The NIV Radiant Virtues Bible is one I will enjoy pairing in this way, and I will be glad to add it to my morning routine as well to coordinate with my NLT Inspire Bible for Bible journaling.

I believe the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible is best for those who want to learn more about the virtues of faith, hope, and love and are committed to following a Bible reading plan. If you prefer more as-you-go reading methods of reading scripture then you will likely find many of the features to be unhelpful, but even then I would encourage you to give the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible a chance.

The art-journaling features of this Bible make it fantastic for those who like to add some creative flair to their time in the Word, as well as for those who are wanting to get started in Bible art journaling. If you prefer to completely do your own art in your journaling Bible, this can be a nice Bible but it does have a lot of its own art which may take away from the space you want to use to create your own.

The NIV Radiant Virtues Bible might just offer the encouragement you need to spend intentional time in the Bible and in prayer every day. This, combined with the purpose of this particular Bible and the extras included, makes the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible great for those well established in Bible reading and prayer routines, as well as those looking to start new habits to strengthen their faith and relationship with the Lord.