How We
Got the Bible
Lesson #16--So Which Translation Should I Use?
(Part 1)
First, some general observations are in order before we address this
question:
A. Remember, the original authors
of Holy Scripture were inspired, but copyists and translators are not.
There is not one, perfect English translation authorized by God to meet the needs of all
English-speaking people for all times. On the other hand, God has promised us that His word will be preserved and that
means accurately preserved (Mark 13:31;1
Pet.1:24-25).
B. We must never adopt an arrogant
attitude in favor of a particular translation. Most of us have a favorite
translation, but it is inappropriate to despise another brother or sister, or think of him
as spiritually inferior or immature because he uses a different version (Phil. 2:3-4, 12; Eph. 4:1-3).
C.
Never
confuse readability with accuracy! To put it
another way, a translation may be difficult to read and yet still be very accurate.
Another translation may be very easy to read and corrupt at the same time. A lie that is
understandable is still a lie. One of the tricks the Devil may use is to tempt us to drink
deeply from a spurious version of the Bible (I Pet. 5:8, 2 Cor. 11:14-15).
Think of the apocrypha included in the Catholic
version of the Bible. Think of translations completed by members of a particular
denomination for the sole purpose of espousing their doctrine.
D. There are several excellent translations. One can
learn the truth from any of them. All translations, however, can be broadly grouped into
two categories:
1. One group was completed by men who believed
that the thoughts and the very words of the original text were
inspired by God. Thus, these men concentrated on rendering the specific words
and phrases into an accurate English translation.
Such versions include: the King James, the New King James, the American Standard,
and the New American Standard.
2.The other broad group was
completed by men who believed
the thoughts of the original writers were inspired but not necessarily the words (See I Cor. 2:13 for a scriptural
judgment on this point). Because of this viewpoint, these translations take a much
looser reign with the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Such versions include The Good News Bible, the New International Version, and even the Revised
Standard Version. This is not to say that these translations are worthless and
harmful in all respects, but it is to sound a warning against using them as our primary
study text.
E. Also, be wary of versions completed by a single
individual, such as Kenneth Taylor's Living Bible (a
paraphrased work) and Moffatt's translation. No
matter how gifted an individual may be in rendering foreign languages into English, his
prejudices and theology are bound to show. There is no good system of checks and balances
when one man is responsible for the entire work. Committees make mistakes, too, but at
least there are capable scholars examining and evaluating the work of their fellow
translators .
F. There's no need to limit yourself to a single translation.
Sometimes the best way to examine a difficult verse is to compare different translations.
G. Whatever translation
you decide to use, read and
study it! (Acts 17:11).
Lesson
1 - Introduction Lesson 2 - How
Ancient Books Made
Lesson 3 - Birth of Bible (Pt. 1) Lesson 4 - Birth of Bible (Pt. 2)
Lesson 5 - Text of Old Testament Lesson 6 - Text of New
Testament (Pt. 1)
Lesson 7 - Text of New Testament (Pt. 2) Lesson 8 - Canon of
Scriptures (Pt. 1)
Lesson 9 - Canon of Scriptures (Pt. 2) Lesson 10 - English Translation (Pt.1)
Lesson 11 - English Translation (Pt.2)
Lesson 12 - English Translation (Pt.3)
Lesson 13 - English Translation (Pt.4)
Lesson 14 - English Translation
Pt.5)
Lesson 15 - English Translation (Pt.6)
Lesson 17 - Which Translation to Use(Pt.2)
Lesson 18 - Which Translation to Use(Pt.3) Lesson 19 - Which Translation to Use(Pt4)
Lesson 20 - Which Translation to Use (Pt. 5)
Lesson 21 - Which Translation to Use (Pt. 6)
Lesson 22 - Concluding Thoughts
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This page last updated:
July 12, 2005