Which Translation Should I Use?

There are many versions of the Bible available for us. Which should I buy,

use and study?

Introduction

1. Inspiration1. Later we will study the “how” of the

inspiration2. We must begin with the idea that the

Bible is not the product of man3. The Bible came from God4. If NOT – then translation is not

critical or even an important issue

Introduction

1. Inspiration2. Canonization

1. We must know that the books in the Bible belong there.

2. We must know that manuscripts that have been rejected should not be included.

3. We have the Word of God

Introduction

1. Inspiration2. Canonization3. Transmission

1. The originals were hand copied2. They were distributed to other

churches3. Copies of copies were made

Introduction

Introduction

1. Inspiration2. Canonization3. Transmission4. Translation

1. To spread the Word of God to the world it must be translated

2. Not just copied but accurately translated into other languages

Why are there so many? Language is in constant flux and

change Here is 2 Peter 2:10-11 from 1611.

Why are there so many?

Language is in constant flux and change

Words change meaning Grass – your lawn / illegal drug Cool – not hot / slang for swell Rap – to knock / a poem with a beat

Words from 400 years ago are spelled differently, look different, and have different meanings

Why are there so many?

Language is in constant flux and change

Words change meaning We are still discovering manuscripts

and learning the meaning of words and phrases

Propitiation – used to mark a bill when is was paid – “Paid in Full” – The debt is satisfied.

Principles for this study

Bible is inspired Word of God Every word is important – plenary

(verbal) inspiration Original texts – 3 languages

Hebrew – Greek – Aramaic

Principles for this study

Bible is inspired Word of God Every word is important – plenary

(verbal) inspiration Original texts – 3 languages Written by more than 40 men Covering a period of about 3,000

years

2 Keys for Translation

Decide WHAT to translate Which manuscripts,

documents Which are more accurate?

Decide HOW you are going to translate them How many men – scholars More on methods of translation later

Translation is Complicated

Not just use Greek – English dictionary

Not just read Greek word – write English word

What about shades of meaning? Idiomatic expressions Symbolic meanings Proper names

Translation is ComplicatedHere is a Word for Word translation of Matthew 1:21GREEK ENGLISHTexetai SHALL-BE-BRINGING-FORTHDe YETUion SONKai ANDKaleseis SHALL-BE-CALLINGTo THEOnoma NAMEAutou HIMIhsoun JESUSAutos HEGar FORSwsei SHALL-BE-SAVINGTon THELaon PEOPLEAutou HIMApo FROMTwn THEAmartiwn SINSAutwn THEM

Translation is Complicated

Translation Requires: A mastery of the source language Skill and faithfulness in translating Mastery of the English language Is this accurate? Is it readable? Understandable?

Translation is Complicated Translation Philosophy Formal Equivalence – word for

word, literal translation ASV is an example of this type

Dynamic Equivalence – express the idea, translate the thought The modern paraphrases are examples

of this form Every version is somewhere in

between these extremes

King James Version - 1611 Known as the Authorized Version The original was in 1611 The revision we read today is from

1769 – (158 years later) Translated by 60 scholars

6 groups – 3 OT; 2 NT; 1 Apocrypha Used Coverdale, Geneva, Great Bible Used available Hebrew and Greek

manuscripts 2011 is the 400th anniversary of KJV

King James Version - 1611 Weakness1. Inconsistent translation

1. Abolish – 27 times; 18 different words2. 1 Corinthians 6:1, 8, 9 – same word

translated by 3 different words3. Interchange of Spirit and Ghost4. Use of Hell for Hades

2. Many manuscripts discovered since 1611

King James Version - 1611 Weakness1. Inconsistent translation2. Many manuscripts discovered since

16113. English words have changed

meaning

King James Version - 1611

1611 – KJV PASSAGE NOW MEANS

PREVENT 1 THESSALONIANS 4:15 HINDER

LET 2 THESSALONIANS 2:7 ALLOW

CHARITY 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1 HELP NEEDY

CONVERSATION PHILIPPIANS 1:27 TALK WITH

King James Version - 1611 Weakness1. Inconsistent translation2. Many manuscripts discovered since

16113. English words have changed

meaning4. Some doctrinal errors

1. Calvinism – Acts 2:47, Hebrews 6:4-82. Easter – Acts 12:4

King James Version - 1611 Strengths1. Over a billion copies2. Trusted3. Reliable4. Accurate5. Many helps available –

concordances, dictionaries, commentaries, computer programs

King James Version - 1611• Quote from Jackson Sun – Saturday, March 5,

2011 – “After 400 years, KJV Bible still influential”

• Dr. Clyde Woods, teacher at Freed-Hardeman University – “The King James Version is not completely accurate in its translation of everything, Woods said. Some of its language is still hard for some to understand, and over time some words change meaning, he said. But from a linguistic / literary standpoint, it is unparalleled in history for its worldwide influence,” he said.

King James Version - 1611• Quote from Jackson Sun – Saturday,

March 5, 2011 – “After 400 years, KJV Bible still influential”

• Joel Allen, teacher at Union University, “Over time, older, more accurate versions of the New Testament were discovered, and that’s where other translations form their basis, he said.”

American Standard Version There was an English revision done

in 1870 A committee was formed to do the

same for America ASV came out in 1901 Used many of the newly discovered

manuscripts Updated and revised in1971 and

1995 - NASB

American Standard Version Weakness1. Word for word translation made

some sentences awkward and difficult to read

2. More accurate = less readable

American Standard Version Strengths1. Formal equivalent method – word

for word translation2. Very accurate – most accurate of

any English translation3. Improved the outdated language4. Capitalized pronouns in reference to

Deity

New International Version Completed in 1978 Was of the dynamic equivalent type

Not word for word But interpret the meaning Communicate the thought or idea

New International Version Weakness1. Flesh is translated “sinful nature” –

teaching Calvinism’s idea of total depravity

2. Psalm 51:5 teaches total depravity

New International Version Strengths1. Updated archaic terms2. There is no other value to this

translation

NOTE: This version is filled with too many errors in doctrine. It is not recommended as a study Bible.

New King James Version In 1982 Thomas Nelson publisher

wanted to update the KJV Keep the beauty of the KJV Remove the archaic words and

phrases 119 scholars worked on this

translation

New King James Version Weakness1. It follows the older manuscripts of

the KJV2. Does not rely on the abundance of

newly discovered manuscripts3. More of a revision of the KJV than a

new translation

New King James Version Strengths1. NKJV keeps the dignity and beauty

of the KJV2. Did a better job with conjunctions –

and, thus, however, and but3. Structured poetical sections in

poetry verse format4. Current – reliable - accurate

English Standard Version Was published in 2001 Instead of trying to revise a sound

translation, they choose to produce a new translation

They wanted it to be more literal More like the ASV – Formal

equivalent Much less like the NIV – Dynamic

equivalent

English Standard Version Weakness1. It takes a few years to see if a work

is generally accepted2. I recommend 15 – 20 years3. Wait and see if it will grow in

popularity or disappear4. Must wait for helps to be published

for the ESV - concordance

English Standard Version Strengths1. More literal, word for word, like the

ASV2. More consistent in translating

words3. Up to date vocabulary

Holman Christian Standard The HCSB was published in 2004 Was translated by about 80 scholars All work was overseen by the

Southern Baptist Convention Good – conservative; not liberal Bad – one denomination can insert

their bias and slant on passages

Holman Christian Standard Weakness1. It takes a few years to see if a work

is generally accepted2. I recommend 15 – 20 years3. Wait and see if it will grow in

popularity or disappear4. Must wait for helps to be published

for the ESV - concordance

Holman Christian Standard Strengths1. Optimal equivalent – half way in

between the ASV and NIV2. More consistent in translating

words3. Up to date vocabulary

Conclusions1. For the first 35 years of my

preaching I used the KJV2. Over the years I noticed two things

1. I was doing my own revision1. Ghost was Spirit2. Thee and Thou became You

2. I was spending a lot of time in sermons and class explaining archaic terms in the KJV

Conclusions1. For the first 35 years of my

preaching I used the KJV2. After a lot of study I changed to the

NKJV1. Ease of transition from KJV2. Accurate3. Reliable4. Helps available

Conclusions1. I am not BINDING any translation on

you2. I have some suggestions

1. Use a good readable one2. Use one done by a broad base of

scholarship – not one church or group3. Select one that has helps available4. Make sure it is accurate, reliable

3. I suggest – KJV, NKJV, NASB

Reaching the world In our world:

Fewer have high reading skills Many college graduates do not read on

an 8th grade level The Bible must be able to be read,

studied and understood

Reaching the world From the Washington Post "It's appalling -- it's really

astounding," said Michael Gorman, president of the American Library Association and a librarian at California State University at Fresno. "Only 31 percent of college graduates can read a complex book and extrapolate from it. That's not saying much for the remainder."

Reaching the worldTRANSLATION GRADE

LEVELTRANSLATION GRADE

LEVELKJV 12 NASB 11ESV 10 NIV 8HCSB 7-8 NKJV 7

WE ARE FACING THE “DUMBING DOWN” OF AMERICA.IF WE REACH WITH WORLD WITH THE WORD OF GOD, IT MUST BE IN A TRANSLATION THAT IS READABLE BY MOST PEOPLE.