Bible Versions for Dummies 102

 

Last week we spoke abut the various manuscripts on which the Bible translations are based. I suppose that aspect is really of academic interest to most readers. What is more important to the average reader is to make the right choice between the many translations that are available to the English speaking Christian.

In choosing a translation we need to understand the difference between the three major methods employed by translators.

The first group are known as “literal” translations. These translations are “true” translations in the sense that they are translated word for word from the original manuscripts. Generally the word order will be changed a bit so that the English will make sense and be grammatically correct. This is because the way sentences are constructed is different in Hebrew, Greek and English. The more literal the translation, the more difficult it is to read. The most literal translation is an interlinear Bible where the English words appear in a line above the Greek or Hebrew. Take for example John 1:3 which in the New King James (NKJV) reads: “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” One interlinear (Marshall) reads the same verse as: “All things through Him became and without Him became not one thing which has become” You can see that this version is saying the same as the NKJV but it is a lot more difficult to read. Although not an interlinear, Young’s is an extreme literal translation and He has this verse as: “all things through him did happen, and without him happened not even one thing that hath happened” In my humble opinion, the best of the literal translations is the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901. It is easier to understand than the King James and is probably the most accurate translation of all, but is no longer in print. Electronic copies abound and are free of copyright. You may still find an old copy in a second-hand bookstore.

If we place the literal translations on the one extreme of the spectrum, then we need to place the “paraphrases” on the other extreme. In a paraphrase the translator will write entire sections in his own words, as he understands the passage. This means that the paraphrase will be very strongly colored by the translator’s theology, views and prejudices. Generally paraphrases are not suitable for serious Bible study and their only use is for children and new believers who want an overview of the Bible. The most extreme of these paraphrases is “The Message” by Peterson. I do not generally recommend paraphrases and warn people to avoid “The Message” as far as possible. Occasionally the author captures the essence of a passage, but often misleads the readers entirely, so unless you have a thorough grasp of the passage and are able to sift the chaff from the wheat, it would be best to avoid paraphrases, especially “The Message”.

Somewhere between the literal translations and the paraphrases are the “thought for thought” translations. These can be best described as what an interpreter does when translating what a preacher says into another language. The interpreter will listen to a few sentences of the speaker and then give the content of those sentences in the second language. This allows the interpreter to use idioms and phrases that are common to the hearer but will not be a word for word translation of the speaker’s message. The centre of this group of translations is occupied by the very popular New International Version (NIV). These translations are much easier to read than the literal translations and generally give a good overview of a passage or book. They are however not suitable for expository preaching and a detailed (word for word) study of the Bible.

There are a number of factors that need to be considered when choosing a translation. Obviously accuracy in translating the original into English is the most important ingredient in the mix of facts that need to be considered. Here you cannot beat the literal translations such as the ASV, KJV, NKJV, NASB (New American Standard Bible) and the RSV.

The second question is how easy is the translation to read and understand? Many young people have problems with the English of the KJV, ASV and other such translations. Unless you have a thorough understanding of old English you would be safer with a more modern English version. I am often horrified to hear preachers build entire messages on a misunderstanding of some archaic English words. They would be far better off with a slightly less accurate translation of which they understand all the words.

Another fact you need to consider is which translation your teacher(s) or students use. If, for example, you often read publicly in a church where most people use the KJV, then they would find it very difficult to follow you if you chose to read from the NIV.

Although it may seem unimportant, you also need to consider which translation is easier to memorize and which translation you are accustomed to. If you grew up with the KJV and have memorized a lot of scripture in that translation but want to move to a more modern translation, you may find it easier to move to the NKJV than to the NIV.

The diagram below illustrates the spectrum of translations but does not include all the possibilities.

Next week we will deal with some of the questions that relate to the “King James Only” controversy.

"Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments." (Psalm 119:127-131, NKJV)

 

 

Anton Bosch
antonbosch@sbcglobal.net

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