Which English Translation of the Bible is best?
Answer: The one easiest to read and understand.
The English Authorized Version of 1611 (King James Version), the most popular version, has been updated numerous times as the English language has changed over the centuries. In its current form, it contains numerous archaic and outdated grammatical forms and spellings, making it difficult for many people to read. Every translation has its good and bad points; however, the most important thing is that readers comprehend the language.
Technically speaking, the King James Version was translated from thousands of fragments of Koine Greek manuscripts found in Asia Minor and complied in a Greek text called the Textus Receptus. Koine Greek was a common form of Greek spread throughout much of the civilized world conquered by Alexander the Great. Like English is today, Greek was the most universal language at the time the New Testament was written; and, Koine Greek is thought to be the form of language that the apostles and others in Asia Minor used when writing to Christians scattered far and wide. Other modern English translations rely mainly on early Latin translations found in Egypt and elsewhere. The amount of variation among all of these texts is extremely low and does not in any way affect the meanings of Old and New Testament scriptures as a whole.
The fundamental message of the Bible is simple enough for a child to understand. The Lord is a God of loving-kindness and mercy who judges us according to how we judge one another. If we judge and condemn others according to religious and moral laws written in stone, then he will judge us likewise. If we set these aside in order to show one another mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, then God will do the same for us. This message is revealed by so many writers in the Bible, over such a long period of time, in so many different ways, and from so many different parts of the world that no translator could inadvertently confound it. This also applies to things the Bible teaches we should learn in order to be like Christ, such as virtue, patience, and brotherly kindness. None of these things turn in different directions based on which translation is used. People who want to understand the Bible, therefore, should simply choose whatever translation is easiest for them to read so far as understanding what is written in their native language.
The only time which translation is chosen becomes a truly important issue in the church is when congregations are divided over which should be used and strife arises. The King James Version, in particular, has many ardent admirers who believe that no other English translation qualifies as the Word of God. In such cases, the issue has to be treated like any other that divides people in the churches. It is important not to judge one another, especially when Christians are simply trying to do what they believe pleases Christ. It is also important in such cases that teachers not become a stumbling block to others by insisting on using a translation that others in the church find problematic.1
References
1 1Corinthians, Chapter 8 |
