Free Online Tools
Some of the best resources available to Bible students are completely free. Here's a guide to the ones worth knowing — and how to use each of them well.
You don't need to spend money to study Scripture well. Some of the most powerful tools available to Bible students today are freely accessible online — built by scholars and ministries who wanted to put serious resources in the hands of everyday readers.
Here is a guide to the ones we trust and use most, with a note on what each is best for.
For Study and Research
Blue Letter Bible
blueletterbible.org · Free · Website + App
One of the most comprehensive free Bible study tools available. Use it for: interlinear text (original Hebrew and Greek beneath each English word), word studies via Strong's Concordance, cross references, commentaries, and devotional tools. An essential resource for anyone doing inductive study.
Bible Gateway
biblegateway.com · Free · Website + App
The fastest way to read any passage in dozens of translations side by side. Use it for: comparing translations, searching for cross references by keyword, and reading in less familiar translations. The passage comparison feature is especially valuable when doing repetitive reading across translations.
Precept Austin
preceptaustin.org · Free · Website
An extraordinarily detailed resource for contextual and verse-by-verse study. Use it for: book introductions and background, verse-by-verse commentary notes, word studies, and grammatical information. Particularly rich for epistles like Ephesians. Some of the most thorough free Bible study content available anywhere.
Cross Bible
crossbible.com · Free with account · Website
A dedicated cross reference tool that maps the connections between passages across the whole Bible. Use it for: finding cross references for any verse, seeing the web of connections across the canon. Requires creating a free account.
For Learning and Overview
The Bible Project
bibleproject.com · Free · Website + App + YouTube
Beautifully animated videos that explain the theology, themes, and structure of every book of the Bible. Use it for: getting an overview of a book before you study it, understanding biblical themes like "covenant," "shalom," or "the temple," and sharing with others who are new to Scripture. The "Read Scripture" video series is an excellent companion to any Bible study.
The Gospel Coalition
thegospelcoalition.org · Free · Website
A trusted hub for biblical theology, commentary, and articles from a wide range of gospel-centered scholars and pastors. Use it for: background articles on biblical books and themes, free commentary on Scripture, devotional content, and book recommendations. Their Bible reading plans and study resources are also excellent.
BEMA Discipleship Podcast
bemadiscipleship.com · Free Podcast · Spotify, Apple Podcasts
An immersive, story-driven podcast that explores the ancient Near Eastern world of the Bible — helping listeners understand Scripture the way its original audience would have heard it. Use it for: deep background on the cultural and historical context of both Testaments, building a richer understanding of the Jewish roots of Christianity. Start from the beginning and work through it over time.
Listener's Commentary
Backstory of Ephesians - Listener’s Commentary
An audio commentary resource for engaging with Scripture in an accessible, listening format. Excellent for women who learn best by hearing.
A note on tool fatigue: It can be tempting to open six tabs and toggle between tools every few minutes. We'd encourage a different approach — pick one or two tools for any given study session and go deep with them. Breadth of tools is far less valuable than depth of engagement with the text itself.
