blog# 25, Bible Translation Versions

Ron’s notes, Sept. 4, 2008
Bible Translation Versions

Due to years of experience as a Christian pastor, I have naturally developed some insight about the Christian Bible. My investigation into Hebrew and Greek Bible languages enabled me to make excellent comparative analysis with English understanding of my old King James Bible Version. After all, my primary job involved preaching and teaching the bible to the people, so since new English Bible Versions were constantly being promoted and introduced to the public,
I knew I would be in a good position to explain any questionable verses or wording.

In a modern world, that is consistently changing and evolving, because of application of more technology, information, and scientific accuracy, its also good to know that some things are never to be changed, and certain basic foundational truths will always apply. I say that in regard to the Christian Bible. The basis for all bible versions is not the version itself, rather the basis of every version is the Manuscript Copy. Any, and every version should be compared to the Hebrew or Greek Text, from which it is alleged to have been translated.

A growing concern to me, had not only been the few complaints, that the older King James Version of the bible was hard to understand, but the congregation all seemed to have a different bible version they were reading from. I recognized that ever so swiftly and silently, the normal pattern of having a responsive reading for group participation, was no longer possible. Everyone was reading from a different bible. The old saying about getting everybody on the “same page,” had been trashed by different version use. The nearly 400 year old style of the English version, that kept us all verbally together, had been automatically replaced by every persons desire to have a different English translation version.

It was time to grasp the words of 1Corinthians 1:10: ...“that ye all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you.” That verse portion was a reference to unity in the Corinthian Church and applies to Christian doctrine as delivered by Paul to churches he founded. But, if understood in a literal sense as applicable to the Christian Bible Version in use in any congregation, it would quickly minimize any variations of wordings or interpretation of actual texts.

There must be one standard for the word of God. I came to this conclusion for several reasons. That standard is the Manuscript Copies. Pastors who can expound and explain and link to the manuscript copies, can detail any or all needed explanations. Such a plan would enable everyone to use the same bible version all the time. In cases where the pastor or teacher is not able to work with biblical languages, then he should request his hearers to all use the same Version that he employs. Again, it puts everyone in unity.

The manuscript copies never change, only translation versions change. The word of God never changes. Thus, when the bible in use is the same version for each congregation, people are able to actually memorize and quote what everyone else is reading. It’s embarrassing to hear some one quote from a little known version, a verse which nobody can identify with, because of uncertain and new wording. The abundance of English versions discourages group memorization.

A particular verse in Deuteronomy 4:2, sheds huge insight into theology and transmission of texts. “You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”

That verse also is a reference to the detailed commands given of God to Moses, and to Israel. But it goes beyond the commands and back to the very basis of what was first written. To rewrite anything that God said, or had written, must be written exactly and precisely. We may not add verbiage or detract from what God commanded Moses to write.

Numerous times I have heard public readings from Translation Versions, which included much verbiage not supported by Manuscript Texts. Since at times, I was a little familiar with those manuscript sources, I was quite shocked that any translator should take it upon himself to render into English, something that God did not truly say. First of all, Deuteronomy 4:2, is adopted by Christians into their Bible from the Jews. And because we say, it’s the word of God, it is not to be misrepresented. When a person understands Orthodox Judaism, then they know that JEWS believe that God DICTATED the entire Pentateuch to Moses, who wrote what he was told.

Secondly, Jesus said: “ one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (observed).” Jots and tittles are tiny strokes used on Hebrew Alphabet letters. We, may not change the tiniest letter of the Hebrew or Greek alphabet as it relates to what God has spoken to be written. The Greek text has used the word “iota,” the smallest Greek alphabet letter.

The final book in the Christian Bible, the Revelation (apokalupsis), even goes so far as to name a curse on anyone who adds unto its prophecy, the plagues written in this book (Rev. 22:18-19).

Logically, the correct interpretation, does not mean rendering the words from Greek into good English. God wants us to hear His word in our language. But when translators take the liberty of adding or detracting words unsupported by manuscript texts, they are on very dangerous ground.

It becomes a matter of choosing our wisdom above the wisdom of God. When we think we know how God should have said something, and go so far as to actually change what He had spoken, for the prophets to write, we have made ourselves in the place of God. God forbid!

The need for the “common standard” among the Christian community is more pressing than ever. In a next generation every special interest group will have their own bible, and nobody will be able to specifically define what is an accurate translation which is true as possible to the manuscript copies. Each special interest group will love their own version, because it appeals to themselves, but added verbiage and interpretative translating will cause more segmentation of the church, and endless confusion for congregations.

Then, I suppose, the only people who will really appreciate the word of God, will be those fortunate enough to have a leader who is capable of looking at, and examining the Hebrew and Greek Bible texts for precise clarification. After all, the Biblical language copies NEVER change. Pastors or teachers who are not trained in biblical languages, are not left out. They can find numerous bibles containing a numbering system coded to any particular bible version, and the Hebrew and Greek text.

I know that some people prefer English Translation Versions which consistently supply descriptive and elaborate terms, which they say, help explain what God intended to be known. The argument is, that it enhances understanding. But, why have humans ADDED explanatory words unsupported by the Manuscript copies? If it’s fair to deviate from what God literally said in any case, why is it not fair to write entirely what is desired, into the text of what God caused to be written? Matter of fact, that is what is ongoing, in some new modern English Versions.

I recall in my studies about an English Version Bible, which had many notes in the margins, and those notes were claimed on some occasions, to have entered from the margins into the actual texts. That particular bible version was soon replaced by a new version which did not take that liberty. It seems to me, that no matter how we try to make God’s word easier to understand, the only way to defeat the maze of translation differences, which in the end make things even more confusing, is to encourage people to study the Bible, and compare every concern with a good Hebrew or Greek Concordance.

Didn’t Jesus say; “search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). We are told to “search,” and not just to read what some translator had added to the word of God via verbiage. Perhaps nothing destroys the initiative to “study” more than reading a new bible translation. Why do the work, when a stranger has done it for you? When we study to show ourselves approved by God, the satisfaction of learning by careful examination of the word of God, is far superior to interaction with those who do not fear or tremble enough before the Lord. That lack of respect is shown by the willingness to change what God has plainly spoken and written.

As time progresses, there could be so many varying Christian Bible Versions, that the new convert could easily become confounded, having become familiar with the fact that wording differs from one English version to another. The natural response would be; which one of these bibles is right? I have actually seen people in bible book stores ask a salesperson that same question. The response many times was; it depends on what you are looking for in a translation.

Why should anyone have to look for anything in a translation, except a good English rendering of what the manuscripts have revealed? Talk of dynamic equivalents and modern English renderings may be all right for the experts of parables, allegories, and secrets, but the average person simply wants to know what God has spoken, minus all the additions of man.

Christians have often been critical of Jews, saying that it’s not possible to keep 613 of God’s laws, as written in the Torah. All to often, it’s forgotten that Americans must keep thousands of city, county, state and federal laws. Thousands, of which have not have been nailed to the cross. So many of our laws are unknown to the average person, and its amazing when we learn that we are in violation. I say that for a reason.

The bible is not only a brief synopsis about God and creation, its about a nation of people who He taught and made holy, as they chose to obey His voice. He made that people guardians of His words, which eventually became known among us as the “bible.” When we read the bible, we learn where we fit in, and what is expected of us by the Lord. We learn that His word is holy and pure and not to be tampered with. We learn that morality, integrity, and honesty are given within our humanity. His word, plain and simple, has been written for all to understand. Why would anybody tamper with what God had written, except to make it simply plain, and readable?

The knowledge of what God expected from Israel and the Jews, is written by his faithful prophets. If the number of His commands to them was 613, so be it. Possibility exists that it can be done. The Christian Bible says of Zacharias and Elizabeth in Luke 1:6: “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Wow! Who ever said, that nobody could possibly keep all the law???

God gave all the details/ordinances, and they are in the book called the “bible.” Somebody said once, “the devil is in the details.” Whoever originated that phrase, must not have read much bible, because in the bible God gives details galore about every aspect of human life and worship. That’s why we should not mess with the text. It involves details which we need to know, and details known only to the Lord.

If God is involved in the details of life, then it only makes sense that we should learn where those details are found. The Christian Bible provides information under the everlasting and adoptive covenants.

I am not saying any particular English version is perfect above all others. Martin Luther is reported to have said; there is no substitute for reading the bible in its original languages.

I do agree with that comment. My favorite bible version has always been the K.J.Version. But in many cases it does not clearly align to the Greek manuscript. I have always told the congregation when I run across such matters. They were shocked at times when learning that words like Lucifer, Calvary, Jesus, Easter, and Devils, do not even align the Greek and Hebrew texts, and should never appear in an English version bible. But the traditions developed from such versions, have actually become stronger than the Greek text itself.

I encouraged the people to get a Strong’s concordance and check me out when I preached. This, some did, while others trusted my word. But in any case, nobody was ever able to come to me and say, your explanations were not aligned with the manuscripts.

So this message is like the shofar blast of Rosh Hashanah. It’s designed to alert and awaken the conscience of the sleeper. Hopefully, it will not take a hundred blasts of the rams horn, to alert the people to revere the Lord, and tremble at His word.