What Bible Does the Catholic Church Use?
1. The Catholic Canon of Scripture
The Catholic Church uses a Bible that contains more books than the Protestant Bible. The difference is found in the Old Testament. While both Catholic and Protestant traditions agree on the 27 books of the New Testament, the Old Testament canon differs.
Catholic Old Testament – 46 books (including the Deuterocanonical writings).
Protestant Old Testament – 39 books (matching the Hebrew Bible).
The Catholic Bible includes additional sections in Esther and Daniel and seven books often referred to as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books:
Tobit
Judith
Wisdom of Solomon
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
Baruch
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
These writings were present in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament widely used in the early church.
2. Historical Development of the Canon
The roots of this difference go back to the early centuries of Christianity.
Septuagint Influence – Many early Christians, including the apostles, used the Septuagint, which contained the Deuterocanonical books. Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament often align more closely with the Septuagint than with the Hebrew text.
Augustine’s Support – Augustine of Hippo argued in the 4th century for including these books since they were part of the Septuagint. Regional councils in North Africa, such as Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD), supported his view.
Jerome’s Objection – Jerome, translator of the Latin Vulgate, distinguished between the Hebrew canon and the extra writings. He included them in the Vulgate but noted that they were not of equal authority.
The debate simmered for centuries until the Reformation brought it into sharp focus.
3. The Council of Trent and Catholic Affirmation
During the Reformation, Protestant leaders such as Martin Luther and John Calvin followed Jerome’s view, treating the Apocrypha as helpful but not authoritative for doctrine. In response, the Council of Trent (1546) officially declared the Deuterocanonical books to be part of the Catholic canon.
This moment solidified the Catholic position:
The canon includes the Deuterocanonical books.
These writings are considered inspired Scripture.
The decision was partly a response to Protestant challenges.
Since then, the Catholic Church has consistently upheld this broader canon.
4. Protestant and Catholic Differences in Practice
Protestant Bibles generally contain 66 books (39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament). Catholic Bibles contain 73. Despite this, both traditions agree on the New Testament, which contains the heart of the Christian gospel.
Differences in practice:
Protestants – May read the Apocrypha for historical or devotional value but not as authoritative.
Catholics – Read the Deuterocanonical books as inspired Scripture, incorporated into liturgy and doctrine.
Popular Catholic translations include:
Douay-Rheims Bible
New American Bible (NAB)
Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (RSV-CE)
5. Do the Extra Books Change Doctrine?
A common question is whether the Deuterocanonical books alter Christian doctrine. The answer is: no significant doctrinal difference arises from them.
The central doctrines of the Christian faith—salvation by grace through Christ, the resurrection, the Trinity—are found in the New Testament, which is identical in both canons.
The Apocrypha provides helpful background for Jewish history and wisdom literature but does not alter the gospel.
For example, 2 Maccabees 7 offers a testimony of resurrection hope, but the doctrine itself is firmly grounded in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 15).
In this way, the differences in canon reflect historical development rather than divergent gospels.
6. The Bible and the Gospel of Christ
The Bible, whether Protestant or Catholic in form, ultimately points to the same gospel: Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Christ is the center of Scripture – “These are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).
The gospel is unchanged – Whether one reads 66 or 73 books, salvation is found in Christ alone.
The church is called to unity – Ephesians 4:4–6 reminds us there is “one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”
The inclusion or exclusion of the Deuterocanonical writings does not negate the larger biblical story of redemption.
7. The Church in the Last Days
The question of What Bible does the Catholic Church use? also invites reflection on the church’s role in the last days. Disputes over canon show how easily human traditions can divide believers. Yet the Scriptures consistently point to Christ’s kingdom, not denominational divisions.
2 Timothy 3:16 affirms all Scripture as God-breathed and useful.
Revelation 22:18–19 warns against adding or taking away from God’s word, reminding believers to handle the canon carefully.
Yet the true mark of the last days is not canon disputes but whether the church holds fast to Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
Thus, whether Catholic or Protestant, the true question is not how many books are in one’s Bible but whether one belongs to the Lord of the Bible.
Conclusion
So, What Bible does the Catholic Church use? The Catholic Church uses a Bible with 73 books, including the Deuterocanonical writings found in the Septuagint. The Protestant Bible contains 66 books, aligning with the Hebrew canon. This difference was formally defined at the Council of Trent in response to the Reformation.
Yet despite the differences, the gospel remains the same. Both Catholics and Protestants confess the same New Testament, the same Christ, and the same hope of salvation. The debate over canon should not distract from the greater truth: all of Scripture, rightly understood, points to Jesus, the King of God’s kingdom.
Bible Verses About Scripture
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
John 5:39 – “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”
John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
Acts 17:11 – “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily.”
Romans 15:4 – “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.”
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching.”
Hebrews 4:12 – “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.”
Revelation 22:18–19 – “If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.”
