Which Bible translation do you use for personal study? Are some better than others? Would you like to know about some of the differences between translations, and why they are different?

If you take being a student of the Bible seriously, you must recognize a problem we all face: While the Bible in it's original Greek and Hebrew languages was inspired by God, none of the translation efforts into English (or other languages) were inspired. Many of those who translated them, and many of those who use them, believe they were of course. They were not! We can know they are not inspired, because God always provides miracles by any person providing any new teaching which requires faith on the part of those who love God. When the Law Code was given the Jewish nation through Moses, Moses performed miracles to let people know his message came from God. When Christ Jesus came to fulfill the Jewish Law, and to set it aside in favor of the Christian law of love (James 2:8), he performed miracles to prove he was God's son; To prove he had authority to speak for God. (John 8:26-30) None of the translation committees could perform such miracles. Therefore, unless you read both ancient Greek and Hebrew fluently, you must rely on an uninspired translation for your Bible study. Most or all of the translators were no doubt sincere Bible students, but none of them were inspired to write a new translation. There was no need for them to be. All major Bible translations contain the same theme, beginning to end.

What ever translation you choose to use, you should recognize it was, or at least might be, tainted slightly by the religious mindset of it's translators. We can know at least most of the different translations were skewed slightly, because they all have some small differences. DO NOT BE ALARMED BY THIS KNOWLEDGE! All mainstream translations of the Bible contain the same basic truth. The God who inspired the original Bible text would not allow it to be otherwise. You can learn the truth God intended we be exposed to, from any mainstream translation you choose. Some translations can, however, make it easier to learn that truth. Actually, a comparison of several translations is usually best in considering any point of particular interest, or any verse that you don't clearly understand. Please consider John 2:24 from the very common King James translation:
     John 2:23-25 KJV
(23) Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. (24) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, (25) And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
     What did God mean for us to understand in having recorded that Jesus "did not commit himself unto them"? To gain a better understanding, let us consider that same verse in several different translations. Take special note of the Contemporary English Version and the William Tyndale New Testament in bold text.
(ALT) But Jesus Himself was not trusting Himself to them, on account of Him knowing all [people]
(ASV) But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men,
(BBE) But Jesus did not have faith in them, because he had knowledge of them all.
(Bishops) But Iesus dyd not commit hym selfe vnto them, because he knewe all men,
(CEV) But Jesus knew what was in their hearts, and he would not let them have power over him.
(Coverdale) But Iesus comytted not himself vnto the, for he knewe the all,
(Darby) But Jesus himself did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men ,
(Douay-Rheims) But Jesus did not trust himself unto them: for that he knew all men,
(ESV) But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
(Geneva) But Iesus did not commit him selfe vnto them, because he knewe them all,
(GNB) But Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew them all.
(GW) Jesus, however, was wary of these believers. He understood people
(ISV) Jesus, however, did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
(KJV) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
(KJV + Strong's Numbers) ButG1161 JesusG2424 did notG3756 commitG4100 himselfG1438 unto them,G846 because heG846 knewG1097 allG3956 men,
(KJV-1611) But Iesus did not commit himselfe vnto them, because he knew al men,
(KJVA) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
(LitNT) BUT HIMSELF JESUS DID NOT TRUST HIMSELF TO THEM, BECAUSE OF HIS KNOWING ALL [MEN],
(LITV) But Jesus Himself did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all,
(MKJV) But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all
(Murdock) But Jesus did not confide himself to them; because he knew all men:
(WTNT) but Iesus put not himself in their hands, because he knew all men,
(Wycliffe) But Jhesus trowide not hym silf to hem, for he knewe alle men;
(YLT) and Jesus himself was not trusting himself to them, because of his knowing all men

You can see the translators who did the Contemporary English Version, along with Mr. Tyndale, had a better understanding of what was conveyed in the original language text. We can know that because when we understand the intended meaning of the verse, it makes all the other translations of the verse make sense as well. It also helps us understand other things Jesus said. The verse conveys that Jesus could not trust people to have authority over him, because they were ignorant of God's will and were not living according to that will. Even those individuals who loved Jesus and meant well were not dependable to him under test. (Mat_16:21-23 ; Mat_26:36-45) They became dependable, however, after he went away; as they developed Christian maturity. (Heb_5:11-14 ; 1_Cor_3:1-4 ; 1_Pet_2:1-12) Maturity is what we must develop as well. The faith built of Christian maturity, the faith that can preserve us alive, can come only come from familiarity with what Jesus taught. (Heb_10:36-39)

Additionally, we can recognize any errors which crept into any particular translation, because they will become apparent as we study the Bible. Errors become evident because anything not inspired by God will be out of harmony with the one and only mental picture the Bible paints on our mind. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Let us consider a prominent example of one of the differences between Bible translations: The personal name of the God of creation was recorded over 6000 times in the original language texts. Because of a superstitious fear which developed from a misapplication of one scripture, (Leviticus 24:16) some translators decided to follow that superstitious practice and not to pronounce the divine name. As a result, they omitted the name from their translation effort. That omission presents as one of the most obvious differences in considering which translation to study from. Some translations use the divine name everywhere it occurs in the original text, some use it only a few times, and some omit it altogether. One of the most commonly used translations of the Bible is the King James Version. In following the superstitious fear of pronouncing the divine name, the translators removed the name in most of it's occurrences. The King James translators wisely chose to retain the divine name in the following four verses: (Exodus 6:3) 3 And I used to appear to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty, but as respects my name Jehovah I did not make myself known to them. (Psalm 83:18) 18 That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth. (Isaiah 12:2) 2 Look! God is my salvation. I shall trust and be in no dread; for Jah Jehovah is my strength and [my] might, and he came to be the salvation of me." (Isaiah 26:4) 4 "Trust in Jehovah, you people, for all times, for in Jah Jehovah is the Rock of times indefinite." It is easy to understand why the translators chose to retain the divine name in those four instances. It would be impossible to come anywhere close to conveying the thought inspired by Jehovah in those verses without using his name. It is hard, however, to understand how they could feel free to remove it 6000+ other times. Jehovah's name was important to Jesus, as he himself said: (John 17:26) 26 And I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them." (John 17:6-8) 6 "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word. 7 They have now come to know that all the things you gave me are from you; 8 because the sayings that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them and have certainly come to know that I came out as your representative, and they have believed that you sent me forth. (John 5:36-44 & 45-47) 36 But I have the witness greater than that of John, for the very works that my Father assigned me to accomplish, the works themselves that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father dispatched me. 37 Also, the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. (Please compare: Luke 3:21-22 ; John 12:28) You have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his figure; 38 and you do not have his word remaining in you, because the very one whom he dispatched you do not believe. 39 "You are searching the Scriptures, because you think that by means of them you will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me. 40 And yet you do not want to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not accept glory from men, 42 but I well know that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in the name of my Father, but you do not receive me; if someone else arrived in his own name, you would receive that one. 44 How can you believe, when you are accepting glory from one another and you are not seeking the glory that is from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuses you, Moses, in whom you have put your hope. 46 In fact, if you believed Moses you would believe me, for that one wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe the writings of that one, how will you believe my sayings?" It seems wise to consider then: Since Jesus said he came to make his Father's name known, and since the original inspired Bible text contained God's name thousands of times, wouldn't we be wise to choose a translation of the Bible that includes Jehovah's personal name?

Some translations also convey the concern their translators had about such things as the gender of God. They wanted to avoid referring to Jehovah as He or him. Remember, when they take such action, they are no longer translators. The original text was very clear about such matters. Anyway... It seems wiser to worry about learning basic Bible teachings, about the Messiah as the Bible's central theme, rather than getting get caught up worrying about such things as the gender of our Creator. Such misdirections can shipwreck your faith. (1_Tim_1:18-19 ; 2_Pet_2:1)

There are some Bibles which are not translations at all. They are sometimes called transliterations. What that means is someone read a translation [often the King James Version] and then put into his own words what he believes is being taught. Most make that effort attempting to make the Bible easier to read. That is very dangerous, as it opens the transliterated Bible up even more to the prejudices of the Bible student doing the work. The prejudice of preconception (or misconception) is a problem we all face to one degree or another. All Bible students are prejudiced to some degree. We have all been infected with false teachings which we imagine come from the Bible, but do not. Part of growing to Christian maturity is getting rid of all the lies we have been persuaded or allowed ourselves to believe. That is what Bible study actually amounts to. The problem of our ingorance illustrates one value in considering several translations of the Bible, as is done on this website. Remember too: The more familiar you become with the central theme of the Bible, the less impact any single scripture has on that theme, thus protecting you from the errors of even well meaning men and women. (Mark 12:24 ; Mat_16:22-23 ; Mark_8:31-33)

If selecting an English translation, recognize some are written in the old English. That no doubt has some value in it's age and history. Such translations can, however, be harder to read our day. They require a minor translation effort as one reads them, because some of their words and phrases are no longer in common use or even have different meaning.

In your effort to study the Bible, always focus on it's theme. Choose a translation that will help you do that. The basic Bible theme is very simple: Jehovah God promised in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:14-15) to deliver us from slavery to the sin which has been killing us all since it was introduced by the rebellion there in the garden. (Romans 5:12-19) The ancient Jewish nation, and the Law Code given them, existed in large measure to isolate them from the pagan practices of the world, so the descendants of Abraham [the Jews] (Mat_1:1) could be in a position to produce the Messiah as the deliverer God promised in the Garden. (Gen_3:15) That is the gist of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ appeared from that Jewish nation as God's son (Mat_16:15-17), and as that promised Messiah or Christ. (Joh_4:29) We next find Jesus life story and teachings recorded by four different men, in the Bible books by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the first four Books of the New Testament. The Bible Books that follow those four, are the record of how the early Christians tried to apply what they learned from Jesus. Much of their effort was spent in trying to help Jewish converts avoid a return to the Law Code. (Rom_2:28-29 & 3:1-2 ; Gal_5:1-6) If you learn intimately what God had recorded for us in those four short gospel accounts, you will understand the truth Jesus came to bring and realize the theme of the Bible. Think of how simple that really is, with the hope of gaining the most wonderful gift you can imagine. (John 12:50 ; John 17:3)

If you have developed faith in some particular translation, and believe it speaks with such great power and authority that you are moved in your heart by it, you are right about it's power. That is what the Bible does! It is not any particular translation which is the source of that power, however. It is the inspiration of the original language Bible thoughts shining through your translation. What the Bible teaches is from God. (2 Peter 1:19-21) It has power to change who you are! (Hebrews 4:12) Not overnight, but gradually, as you really learn what it says and build faith in that truth.

Please understand: It is not a matter of your joining some outstanding man or some club among men who can then pat you on the head and assure you of your righteousness (or who can establish your righteousness by membership in their group). It is a simple matter of building personal faith in Christ Jesus as God's provision for life. (Acts 4:12) Personal Bible knowledge is the only thing that can provide the basis for true faith. If you have expressed such faith, that is wonderful. You must press on to maturity, by continuing to listen to Jesus. (Hebrews 5:11-14 ; Hebrews 6:1 ; Mark 12:24 ; John 17:3 ; John 12:49-50) The teachings of the Bible provide your only source of completely dependable help. Read your Bible! Start with and focus on the teachings of Jesus himself, inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and recorded for YOU [and me] in the Bible books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Reading those four books is nearly the same as sitting among those at Jesus's feet when he spoke those recorded words.

Use browser "Back Arrow" or "Alt+Left_Arrow" keys to previous page.   |   Home Page