Remember that time I spent three hours trying to figure out how to cite a Bible verse in APA format for my seminary paper? Yeah, me too. It was brutal. I kept finding conflicting information online, and my professor kept circling "incorrect citation" in red pen. After digging through the APA manual and consulting librarians, I finally cracked the code. Today I'll share everything I wish I'd known back then.
APA's rules for citing scripture are surprisingly specific. They changed significantly in the 7th edition, and honestly, I'm still annoyed they didn't make it simpler. But whether you're writing an academic paper or church newsletter, getting this right matters. Let's break it down step by step.
The Absolute Basics of Citing Bible Verses
First things first: APA treats the Bible differently from other books. It's considered a "classical work" like ancient Greek texts, which means special rules apply. Here's what trips up most people:
Key change in APA 7: You generally don't include the Bible in your reference list anymore unless you're using a specific annotated edition. All citations happen in-text only.
When I first learned this, I panicked. Where do I put publication details? Turns out, you don't need them for standard Bible verses. Here's the core format:
| Element | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Book name | Abbreviated title | Gen. (not Genesis) |
| Chapter & verse | Numbers separated by colon | 3:16 |
| Translation | Abbreviated in parentheses | (NIV) |
So your basic citation looks like: (John 3:16, NIV)
But wait - what if you're mentioning the verse in your sentence? Then you'd write: As stated in John 3:16 (NIV), "For God so loved the world..."
Getting the Abbreviations Right
This is where most mistakes happen. You can't just make up abbreviations. APA follows the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) standards. I once lost points for writing "Jhn" instead of "John". Don't be like me.
| Book Title | Abbreviation | Book Title | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis | Gen. | Matthew | Matt. |
| Exodus | Exod. | Mark | Mark |
| Psalms | Ps. (Pss. for plural) | Luke | Luke |
| Proverbs | Prov. | John | John |
| Isaiah | Isa. | Romans | Rom. |
Bible Translation Abbreviations
You must include the translation abbreviation. I learned this the hard way when my professor asked, "Which of the 50 English translations is this from?" Common ones include:
- KJV - King James Version (the one Shakespeare would recognize)
- NIV - New International Version (common in academic work)
- ESV - English Standard Version (popular in seminaries)
- NRSV - New Revised Standard Version (often required in divinity schools)
- NASB - New American Standard Bible
- MSG - The Message (paraphrased version)
Note: Some professors hate The Message translation - mine called it "theological fast food." Check your assignment guidelines.
Watch out: Don't confuse translations! NIV (New International Version) vs. NIrV (New International Reader's Version) are completely different. When citing how to cite a bible verse in APA, precision matters.
Special Cases You'll Definitely Encounter
Real talk - Bible citations get messy fast. Here are situations that made me tear my hair out:
Citing Multiple Verses and Chapters
For verses within the same chapter: (Phil. 4:8-9, ESV)
For multiple chapters: (1 Cor. 13:1; 15:55, NRSV) (note the semicolon)
For scattered verses: (Matt. 5:3, 5, 7-9, NLT)
Study Bibles and Annotated Editions
Here's where APA 7 gets interesting. Regular Bibles aren't referenced, but study Bibles are. Why? Because you're citing the editors' notes, not just scripture.
In-text citation: (Keener, 2016, as cited in John 3:16)
Reference list entry:
Keener, C. S. (Ed.). (2016). NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. Zondervan.
I used this format for my thesis on Pauline epistles and finally got that citation right.
Step-by-Step Citation Walkthrough
Let's pretend you're citing Romans 8:28 from the English Standard Version:
- Identify book abbreviation: Rom. (not Romans or Rm.)
- Add chapter/verse: 8:28
- Determine translation: ESV
- Choose placement:
- Parenthetical: (Rom. 8:28, ESV)
- Narrative: Romans 8:28 (ESV) states that...
When You Need to Cite the Exact Location
Sometimes you'll need to reference a physical Bible. Suppose you're using the 1995 Thompson Chain-Reference Bible published by Kirkbride:
In-text: (2 Tim. 3:16-17, KJV, Thompson Chain-Reference Edition, p. 1456)
Reference list:
Kirkbride Bible Company. (1995). Thompson Chain-Reference Bible (5th ed.).
APA Bible Citation Checklist
Before submitting any paper:
- ✅ Used SBL abbreviations for book names
- ✅ Included translation abbreviation (NIV, KJV, etc.)
- ✅ Omitted Bible from references (unless study Bible)
- ✅ Italicized book titles only in references (not in-text)
- ✅ Used semicolons between distinct references
- ✅ Placed periods after abbreviated books (Gen. not Gen)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite the Bible in APA if quoting Jesus' words?
Same as any verse. APA doesn't distinguish speakers. Just cite the Gospel location: (Matt. 5:44, NRSV)
What if I'm citing multiple translations in one paper?
Specify each version at every citation. Don't assume readers remember: (John 1:1, KJV)... later... (John 1:1, NLT)
How to cite a bible verse in APA when using online sources?
Same as print! APA doesn't require URLs for standard scripture. Only add URLs if citing study notes from BibleGateway or similar sites.
Do I need page numbers for Bible citations?
Generally no. Exception: When quoting from a study Bible's notes or comparing printed editions.
Why APA Makes This Complicated (My Rant)
Seriously, why couldn't they keep it simple? I've graded undergrad papers where 90% of citation errors were Bible-related. The switch from APA 6 to APA 7 helped, but let's be real - most free citation generators still get this wrong. Last week I checked three popular tools:
| Citation Generator | Result for John 3:16 NIV | What's Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Generator A | Included in references as "The Bible" | APA 7 doesn't require this |
| Generator B | (John 3:16, New International Version) | Should use NIV abbreviation |
| Generator C | (John 3:16) | Missing translation |
Personal Recommendations From Trial and Error
After years of academic writing:
- Bookmark the SBL abbreviation guide - I keep it open constantly
- Create a Word shortcut for common citations (e.g. type "biblejohn" to auto-insert (John 3:16, NIV))
- When using study Bibles, note the editor's name immediately - you'll need it later
- Print a physical cheat sheet and tape it to your monitor (old school works)
- If unsure, email your professor - they'll appreciate your attention to detail
Essential APA Bible Citation Resources
- Official APA Style Blog post on religious works (search "APA Style religious texts")
- SBL Handbook of Style (free PDF available online)
- Purdue OWL's APA formatting guide (section on classical works)
- Zondervan Academic's Bible citation cheat sheet
At the end of the day, mastering how to cite a bible verse in APA comes down to understanding these core principles. Will you still make mistakes? Probably - I still do sometimes. But now when my students ask, I can confidently explain why we write (2 Tim. 3:16-17, ESV) instead of "Second Timothy chapter 3". And that, friends, is academic progress.
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