This section explains why we use a number of different translations in our study courses. It is important that you read this material as well as listen to the explanation. Since we include this particular section in all of our courses, it is certainly not necessary for you to read it each time you begin a new course. Consequently, please feel free to skip this material once you have already gone through it and have a good understanding of its contents.
In our courses, when we cite Scripture, we have referred variously to fifteen different English translations instead of using just one. There are a number of reasons why we have done this. They are as follows.
- No Translation Is Perfect
While all the major English translations clearly bring out the message of the Word of God, none of them is perfect. This is due to the nature of translating from one language to another. Something is always lost or gained. This is true of all translation; whether it be of the Bible or any other book.
- There Are Different Philosophies Of Bible Translation
It is also important to understand that there are different philosophies that are behind the various translations of the Bible. While everyone is trying to accomplish the same goal, namely translating the Bible faithfully into another language, not everyone agrees as to what is the best way to accomplish this task.
Thus, some translations of the Bible attempt to be more literal, or formal, in their translation. These are sometimes known as word-for-word translations. This means that, as much as they are able, they try to keep the same sentence structure and word order as is found in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. This translation philosophy is also known as “formal equivalence” because it attempts to keep the same form as the original.
Another philosophy of Bible translation has been called “dynamic equivalence” or “functional equivalence.” Rather than attempting to keep the same word order and same sentence structure as the original, this theory tries to bring out the meaning of the original text. It has been called a “thought-for-thought” translation rather than a word-for word-translation. Those who practice this philosophy are more concerned with getting the thoughts of the writers across rather than their actual words.
However, no translation is totally word-for-word or completely thought-for thought. Generally speaking, we say that a certain translation is more of a word-for-word or more of a thought-for-thought translation. It is either a more formal, or a less formal translation.
- The Translations We Have Used Are Examples Of These Different Philosophies
The translations we have chosen for this study course provide examples of various ways of translating the text. Translations, such as the English Standard Version (ESV), and the New American Standard Bible (NASB), state as their goal to be a highly literal or more of a word-for-word translation.
Other translations, such as the New English Translation (NET) and Today’s New International Version (TNIV) are intended to be more thought-for-thought translations.
There are also translations that are even more thought-for-thought; they are almost like a commentary. The New Living Translation (NLT), and the Contemporary English Version (CEV) would fit into this category. The Message (MsgB) is not a translation at all but rather is a complete paraphrase of the thoughts of the original into a modern setting.
We strongly urge each student to own at least one of each of these types of translation. For example, the student should own a copy of the English Standard Version, the New English Translation, and the New Living Translation. The Scripture should then be studied by reading all three translations.
If one wishes to add a more literary, or elegant translation to read with these others, then we recommend the King James Version, or the Revised English Bible.
- There Is Also The Issue As To How To Correctly Translate Gender References
In recent years, a controversy has surfaced with respect to the proper way of translating references to gender. While this has always been an issue with those translating the Bible into English, it has become more controversial in recent years. Among other things, it has become known as the “inclusive language debate.”
There are a number of issues involved. One of them has to do with the English word “man.” Traditionally man can be a specific reference to a male individual, or it can be a generic reference to both men and women. It all depends upon the context.
Some recent translations attempt to become more gender-accurate in that they do not use the word “man” to refer to both men and women. Rather they use words such as “people” or “humankind.”
All major English translations that have been done after 1989 have used some inclusive language (with the exception of the 1995 New American Standard Update).
In our courses, we will cite examples of translations that use, and do not use, gender-inclusive language.
- It Is Important To Compare Translations
Because of these factors, it is important to look a number of different translations when studying the Scripture. Comparing different English translations will aid in a better understanding of what the original text said and what the author meant. If a person uses only one translation, it will not encourage them to think. They will merely rely on how that one translation renders the text. However, so much more can be gained by comparing different translations – especially those that have a different philosophy about how the Bible should be translated. Therefore, we cannot stress enough the following statement – we all need read the Bible in more than one translation!
The following are the English translations we have variously cited in this study course and in all our study courses. We have included a few brief comments about each of them.
- The King James Version (KJV, AV)
The KJV, or Authorized Version (AV), is the best-selling English translation of all time. Its beauty is unsurpassed and its impact on the world puts it in a class by itself. However, the language is archaic, and many of the words have either changed meaning, or are no longer used in the English language. We do not cite the KJV that often because of its archaic nature.
- The New King James Version (NKJV)
This is an update of the KJV. It tends to be a more word-for-word translation. The NKJV uses a slightly different Greek text as a basis for the translation of the New Testament than do all other modern versions. This is basically the same Greek text that the King James translators used. The NKJV, like several other translations which we cite, capitalizes all pronouns that refer to Deity (God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit).
- The Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Revised Standard Version of 1946 is a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901. It has been a popular translation in certain circles but has also been criticized for being too “liberal” in some of its renderings. Most notably, in the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 it uses translates the Hebrew word as “young woman” rather than “virgin.”
- The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The New Revised Standard Version is an update of the RSV (the Revised Standard Version). It was the first major English translation to use inclusive language on a large scale. As a note of interest, when discussions were held as to what to name this revision, it was fortunate that one of the suggestions brought forward was rejected; the Improved Revised Standard Version, or the IRS Version!
- The New American Standard Bible (1995 Update) (NASB)
The New American Standard Bible is known as a highly literal translation. It is the strictest word-for-word, or formal, of all the translations we cite. This makes it difficult to read at times. The NASB capitalizes all pronouns that refer to Deity (God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit). When the New Testament quotes the Old Testament, the NASB cites the quotation in all capital letters. It does not use any inclusive language.
- The New English Translation (The NET Bible)
This is a unique translation in that it was first done on the internet. It can be downloaded for free at www.bible.org or can be purchased in a hard copy. Along with the translation there are tens of thousands of study and textual notes from the translators. While this is an excellent resource for study, the sheer number of technical study notes will limit the audience for this translation.
- The English Standard Version (ESV)
The English Standard Version states that its purpose is to be a literal translation of Scripture. While it uses the word “man” to refer to humanity in general, it does contain some inclusive language. Along with the NASB, it is the most literal, or formal, translations that we have cited.
- The New Living Translation (NLT)
The New Living Translation is an update of the enormously popular Living Bible. The NLT is a thought-for-thought translation which uses inclusive language. The NLT is a very readable version but at times borders on being more of a commentary than a translation.
- The Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Contemporary English Version is a thought-for-thought translation similar to the New Living Translation. Like the New Living Translation, the Contemporary English Version is a very readable translation.
The CEV is unique in that it was written specifically to be read aloud. In its preface, it points out that more people actually hear the Bible being read than read it for themselves. In consideration of this, the CEV was specifically made to meet the needs of those who hear the Bible being read out loud. This makes it a unique translation.
- The New International Version (NIV)
The New International Version has been the best-selling English translation in recent years. It is a very readable thought-for-thought translation; hence its success. However, because of advances in a number of fields related to Bible translation, the NIV has been updated.
- Today’s New International Version (TNIV)
Today’s New International Version is an update of the NIV. The TNIV thus updates and corrects the NIV at a number of places. While the TNIV has come under criticism in some circles because of the inclusive language used in the translation many of the criticisms are unfounded. All in all this is an excellent translation.
- The Message (MsgB)
This is not actually a Bible translation but is rather a best-selling paraphrase of Scripture. The Message attempts to transfer the meaning of the biblical text into today’s language. Because it is not a translation, it should never be read or studied apart from a genuine translation of Scripture. While it is very readable and provides a number of interesting insights into the text, some may find a number of passages lacking in dignity.
- The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Holman Christian Standard Bible is the more recent of all of the translations we consider. The New Testament was completed in the year 2000 while the entire Bible was completed in 2004. In the introduction, the HCSB says that it attempts to be somewhere between a formal, or literal translation and a dynamic or thought-for-thought translation. The translators strive for what they call “optimal equivalence.” This involves taking the best features from the formal approach and the dynamic approach.
- God’s Word (God’s Word)
God’s Word is the name of a translation that attempts to put the Bible into contemporary American English without compromising the message of Scripture. It strives for what it calls “natural equivalence.” Again, the idea is to use the best features of formal equivalence, the more literal approach, and dynamic equivalence, the more thought-for-thought approach.
Like many other translations we use, God’s Word uses gender-neutral language in passages that are directed at all people.
- The Revised English Bible (REB)
The Revised English Bible is a revision of the New English Bible (NEB). Along with the King James Version, the REB is the most majestic sounding of the translations we cite in our course. However, since this translation is in British English and not in American English, some of the words and expressions may be a little difficult for American readers.
For those interested in studying this subject in more detail, we have devoted an entire course to this issue. It is titled Bible Translations: What Everyone Needs To Know