When I began my ministry (1951), there were only two or three versions (version is Latin for translation) available for Protestants: The original KJV (1611), the Old English Version (1885), and the Old American Standard Version (1901). There were translations done by individuals like Moffatt, Montgomery and Williams (only New Testament), but the three above were the only ones done by translation committees. I had the King James, and that is the version I began to memorize and preach and teach from.
In 1952, an amazing proliferation of New English translations began. The Revised Standard Version was the first (1952). This translation created a firestorm in the theological world primarily because it translated Isaiah 7:14 like this, “Behold a young woman shall conceive (instead of virgin…”) North Rocky Mountain Baptist Church burned this Bible in a public demonstration of their anger rejection. One of my faithful church members said to me, “I don’t understand why there would be any need for another translation. If the KJV was good enough for Paul, it is good enough for me.” Of course, the Apostle Paul died 1600 years before the KJV was translated.
Next to appear was the Living Bible. I love the “down to earth” language of the Living Bible, but the Living Bible is not really a translation from the original Greek and Hebrew, but a paraphrase, meaning it is rendering the words of the Bible in a very understandable language which gives you the general idea of the text but not the exact. Sometimes it misrepresents what the original author meant, so no preacher or teacher should expound the Word from the Living Bible. I do recommend it for the “general readable and understandable flavor” it gives to the Bible which are often needed on complicated passages especially. Soon the Amplified Bible came out, which as the name implies, renders the texts in several ways. I find the Amplified valuable, and the translators do a good job of rendering the original language. But I am a little eerie about a translation which cannot “make up its mind.” Never, never use it as the text to read to the public.
Frankly, I have most of the translations of the Bible in my study, including the Catholic Bible. I have found all of them helpful, but I have memorized out of the King James Version until 1982, then I began to use the New King James Version because it is a word by word translation, updated with “you” and “your” instead of “thee” and “thou”. It also updates some 800 unknown or unused words not used today but which were standard English in 1611.
With all these translations today, how does one go about choosing a Bible in the midst of so many options?
Read the introduction in each translation you are considering. Be sure that the translators are honest, conservative Bible believers, and very capable of bringing the Greek and Hebrew into the English tongue.
Decide the nature of the translation you desire. There are two hallmarks of a good translation.
- First and foremost – Accuracy
- Readability –
If you find these marks in a translation, it is a good one. However, you need to understand that there are three main philosophies used by translators in doing their work:
- Formal Equivalency – This approach seeks to do a word-for-word translation. Those who believe in verbal (word by word), plenary (full) Bible would desire this kind of translation.
- Dynamic Equivalency – This approach seeks to do a thought for thought translation. Translators defend this approach by pointing out that exact word-for-word translations are impossible, since the Greek and Hebrew text cannot always be rendered in English. Until 2004, there were only two modern translations in English that used formal equivalency – the NKJ and the New American Standard Bible.
- Optimal Equivalency – In 2004 Holman Bible Publishers produced a fine translation done by a top-notch committee of scholars, and this committee followed what they call “Optimal Equivalency.” Optimal Equivalency uses formal equivalency, except it adjusts to good English when word-for-word does not work. The result is delightful, for the CSB is very readable, but one committed to verbal (word-by-word) plenary (full) inspiration.
I still memorize, teach and preach from the NKJV but often consult other translations to receive additional nuances of biblical truth. Most pastors and perhaps laymen have opted to use the NIV which follows the “Dynamic Equivalency” approach. Regrettable deficiency in the Old and NKJV: the transliteration of key words rather than the translation of them:
(1) Baptism should be immerse
(2) Deacon should be servant
(3) Apostle should be missionary
In closing, my closest friend at SEBTS, Dr. Alan Black, who knows Greek better than I know English, made this remark when I asked him his idea about the NIV, “Bill, the NIV is bad news for modern man.” I do not agree, but I must admit that the New American Standard Bible and the CSB are closer to the original text.
In closing I commend to you the counsel of the great Bible expositor and writer, Warren Wiersbe: “Each believer needs to find that translation that bests suits him, that speaks to his heart, and then stick with it. The reading of a new translation does not guarantee spiritual growth. Likewise, each local church probably ought to decide on one “pew Bible” and use it, no matter what the individual members may do personally. Visitors may be confused by the multiplicity of versions and feel left out when the Bible they hold in their hands is different from the one being used in the pulpit.
The preacher who preaches from the Authorized Version one week, the Revised Standard the next week, and perhaps a modern paraphrase the third week is making good use of his library but bad use of his opportunity.”
“Decide on one translation and use it.”
The eminent Bible expositor, Dr. Donald Barnhouse made this powerful statement, “The world may never read the Bible in Morocco or leather, but they can’t miss reading it in shoe leather.” Thus you see the need of MMM, a ministry which constantly encourages you to “Internalize the Word” so you will live it out in your daily life.
By far the best translation is the translation of the teaching of the Bible in your own life by your personal obedience to its teaching.