Chain-references and cross-references are two popular methods of linking the Scriptures together. Both types of references are helpful and great for Bible study. Both types allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. However, there are differences in the way they work.
In this post, we’ll compare the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible’s (TCR) chain-reference system and typical cross-references. By doing so, we’ll examine how the TCR is different from a standard reference Bible.
What Is the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible (TCR)?
The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible is a unique reference Bible designed to be a thorough yet easy-to-use research tool for both lay readers and pastors.
It contains over 100,000 references listed in the Bible’s margins, covering over 8,000 topics, enabling readers to search the breadth of Scripture’s teachings on thousands of topics and allowing them to follow those topics throughout the entire Bible. It was developed by Dr. Frank Charles Thompson in the 1890s for his own personal use as a preacher. But colleagues and congregants urged him to release it more widely, and he ultimately did so, first publishing his work in 1908. He continued to develop the chain-reference system throughout his life.
Beloved and acclaimed for more than five generations, the TCR is a unique reference Bible that remains unparalleled in its ability to enrich personal devotions, topical study, and sermon preparation. Today, the TCR also offers a library of additional study resources, including biographical sketches, illustrated studies, maps, and charts.
What Are Cross-References?
Cross-references are a standard form of referencing Scripture that most reference Bibles and study Bibles use. A cross-reference sends a reader to a verse or passage that’s related to the passage they are studying.
The verses can refer to parallel passages of events or teachings in other places in the Bible, and they sometimes refer to the same or similar events. They also point readers toward direct quotes from other passages found in the passages they are studying.
How Cross-References Work
Cross-references are a series of book, chapter, or verse references that appear close to the verses upon which they expand. They are placed on the text page either in the center column, outer columns, footer, end of the verses, or end of the paragraphs. They’re usually referred to by a sigla: a raised letter (or possibly a number) placed by the word, phrase, or passage being considered.
Seeing this raised letter, a reader knows that they’ll find additional passages to study as they look for the same sigla in the cross-reference segment that is placed on the same page. Having matching sigla on the pages makes it easy for readers to find which references go with which phrases in the verses.
The subject of the cross-reference is identified by the text itself. If the cross-reference refers to an entire passage, the sigla indicators are usually placed by the verse that begins the passage. While these raised letters (sigla) in the text can become distracting when reading, readers typically adjust quickly to their presence as soon as they understand their function.
Using Cross-References
To use cross-references, the reader identifies the sigla that marks the word or phrase in the verse they want to reference. Next, they turn to the cross-reference lists on that same page and look for that same letter. After finding the letter, the reader turns to each verse listed under that letter.
It’s common for a verse to include cross-references to multiple places in the Bible. Cross-references can lead the reader to passages either before or after the passage in the Bible. A cross-referenced verse may lead to several other verses, but not all of those verses lead back to the original verse. Therefore, the opportunities for study when using a cross-reference system branch out to the point that they are virtually limitless.
What Are Chain-References?
Chain-references, similar to cross-references, are based on biblical themes. These are the type of references used in the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible. The TCR’s chain-references relate to a particular, targeted topic within a verse. But each verse can also have multiple targeted topics and chain-references associated with it, as demonstrated in the illustration below. The TCR’s chain-reference system allows readers to see, at a glance, the various topics to which the verses relate.
In the TCR, the chain-references provide the topic name, topic number, and the reference for the next verse on that topic. They follow the topic based on the original Greek and Hebrew languages rather than the words translated into English. Note that the topic names do not necessarily appear in the verses themselves.
How Chain-References Work
In the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, the chain-references are placed in the margins of the page near the verses to which they relate. The references are forward-moving, taking the reader to the next verse in the topical chain (assuming a canonical, Genesis-to-Revelation direction). The topics also include a number for the topic which refers back to an extensive Numerical Index of Topics (in the back of the Bible; see illustration below) that leads the reader to many different passages and study resources under each topic.
The TCR includes literally thousands of chain-referenced topics. An arrow icon identifies the first verse in a chain, while a square icon identifies the last verse in a chain.
Since the chain-references include the topic by name, the text itself doesn’t include any reference keys (as the reader sees with sigla in a cross-reference system). There is no need to mark the topic in the verse to identify it. This keeps the text clean from distractions and makes the text easier to read.
Using Chain-References
To use a chain-reference, the reader looks at the margin next to the verse they want to study. Next, they identify the topic they want to follow. Finally, they turn to the Numerical Index to find the numerical reference provided by that topical chain. There they begin their study by perusing all of the printed verses on that topic and then studying other recommended references in the chain until they’ve seen all of the verses on that topic.
Helpfully, readers can enter the topical chain from any verse within the chain. To find the first verse of the topic, or to see all of the verses on the topic in one place, the reader simply turns to the specific topic number in the Numerical Index.
Many of the chains include a large number of additional references for further study and point to other topics of interest related to the current one. They also quite often include brief descriptions of the topic to set the tone for the study to come.
One of the major advantages of chain-references as presented in the TCR is that quite often the major verses associated with a topic for study are written out under the topic itself. This means that, with a quick glance down the column in the Numerical Index, the person studying can get a general overview of the topic’s main themes without flipping through the Bible pages to find the main passages associated with that topic.
Additionally, the topics are clearly announced in the side columns of the TCR text pages, which allows readers to choose to pursue the topics that interest them most.
Ending Thoughts on Chain-References vs. Cross-References
That’s our look at chain-references versus cross-references. Both types of references are useful in showing the reader how Scripture interprets Scripture. But the chain-references included in all TCR Bibles provide several advantages, including clearly identifying the topic addressed and providing the reference to the next canonical verse in the chain. Sending the reader to the end-matter indexes keeps them from having to flip back and forth in the Bible pages to follow the topic, or from losing their place and having to try to find the original verse to see the next reference.
Finally, the TCR’s chain-references are easy to use, and since they identify the topic under consideration, it’s easy to know which references to follow for your studies. Having them placed in the side columns of the text pages, without an additional reference system (like the sigla in the cross-reference system) helps to keep the text clean and readable.
Explore the full line of Thompson Chain-Reference Bibles — available in many different translations, sizes, and formats, so you can find the perfect edition for your personal Bible study needs. Or, give it a try first with a free trial of Bible Gateway Plus!
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