Well, this has been a question for many Christians over the ages. Having so many choices from KJV, NASB, ESV, NIV, NLT, up to The Message and LB Cotton Tail, we often confuse which version is true? I took a brief study to understand how bible was translated. Hope it can help.
Quick facts of the Bible. It was written in three languages: Hebrew (most of the Old Testament), Aramaic (some sections in the Old Testament), and Greek (the New Testament). Bible was written over a 1500 year span. Written by over 40 authors. Written in different places (from the wilderness, dungeon, prison walls, travelling, up to the isle of Patmos). Written in times of war and peace. Written in different moods. Written on three continents. But…the most important thing we need to know and believe: the Bible was written under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
So, how do they translate the Bible from the original language? In general, translators are using three methods.
- Literal translation: the attempt to translate by keeping as close as possible to the exact words and phrasing in the original language. Examples: KJV, NASB, RSV, ESV.
- Free translation: the attempt to translate ideas from one language to another with less concern about using the exact words of the original. Examples: The Message, LB Cotton Tail
- Dynamic equivalent: the attempt to translate words, idioms, and grammatical constructions of the original languages into precise equivalent in the receptor language. Examples: NIV, GNB, NLT, Phillips
So which one should I read? Sometimes it really depends on where you are in your spiritual growth. Literal translation is good for serious bible study. It best represents the original word for word. While Free translation is food for stimulating fresh thinking on the next, usually for devotional purpose. But keep in mind, there are some poor translations of the Scripture texts in every translation.
My first bible version was in Indonesian. The first english bible I read is King James Version. Although many scholars believe it is the most precise translation, I find it hard to understand the Scriptures since english is not my first language, and secondly it is not the current english. Language evolves over time. Hence, through the work of Holy Spirit, bible is translated to today’s language. Now I’m using NKJV, ESV, ASV, and Indonesian.
Does translation matter? It does. Last year a preacher said his prophecy to me. Although his prophecy sounded biblical since he is using the Scriptures. Yet later I found after studying the verse carefully, his prophecy was not biblical at all since he was interpreting the Scriptures carelessly. It is sad to see if many pastors today do not go to bible school to study the bible. If they themselves lack on good understanding of the Bible, whose teaching they would teach to the congregation? On the other hands, it is also disappointing to see some people who think they understand the bible in and out often use the Scriptures as “playground”. Be careful (John 5:39). If you are a scholar and are yearning to learn the Bible, I’d recommend having Hebrew/Greek dictionary. It is helpful to understand the Scriptures.
Example from 1 Corinthians 6:9. NIV – Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.
The Message version: Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who don’t care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom.
We see that avoidance of speaking directly about homosexuality as being sin (in The Message bible), weakens the text.
Hence, I hope you have the passion to study the Scriptures carefully by reading the most appropriate bible translation for yourself. On the top of everything, the Scriptures are God-breathed, when we read the Bible our focus should be on God, and God only. It takes more than knowledge to understand the Scriptures. But by the grace of God, and the help from Holy Spirit, we can learn to know God from the Scriptures.
Sola scriptura!