The languages of the Bible are dead languages! In other words, the meanings of words did not continue to change with time as with today’s languages (they died).
This is excellent and here is why
Because of this, we can always go back to the original writings to clarify meaning. We can discover how the original text was used and written. Often, the words in the original language have several possible meanings but, only one of those meanings fits best within the context of how the word was used and also stays consistent with the whole of other scripture. None of the manuscripts or letters are in the original writer’s hand. They were all copied by scribes over and over again from whatever types of paper or stone they were on prior. With the “King James Version,” all the manuscripts available at the time were combined into the books of the Bible. The translations were done by a large group of about 50 very profound scholars. These scholars checked, double-checked, and triple-checked the letters and manuscripts they had. Bumping every piece against a set of rules they had created to assure they had correctly translated them. The scholars also defined the: chapters, verses, and punctuation that help us in our reading as these were not part of, the original languages.
Since the “King James” translation
More transcripts have been found. Some of which are older writings than those used to create the KJV. Many of today’s newer translations used the KJV for their base to translate it into words that are easier for us to read today. While some versions compared the manuscripts used to translate the KJV to the older manuscripts found and then made changes in the new versions giving priority to the older manuscripts. Note: Even though, in few cases, an entire verse was removed by using the older writings they found. The changes were all minor and did not change Scripture. There are also many translations in multiple languages and, not all were translated with the same care. In fact, some translations you find today are no more than the interpretation of one person while some, are created by groups with an agenda other than a strict translation. This is why it’s important to understand how a translation came about. So, we can decide how much credibility we should apply.
I personally like the ESV, KJV, NKJ, NASB1995, and the ASV the most. I will also use other versions occasionally to help with the understanding of some verses. The most meticulous work was done under threat of life by the scholars of the 1600s with the KJV. As a follower of Christ, not a scholar of biblical languages, I will rely heavily on the versions I believe were created with the most care.
All this said; I trust God
I believe God’s Holy Word is just that: God’s Holy Word. I trust each word and believe it possible to have a clear understanding of everything God wants us to understand. We just need to remove our desires and our expectations so we can open our hearts and minds and pay attention to God’s desires and will for us.
The Bible is not a book of confusion.
What makes it seem confusing is us. When we try to twist what it says into what we think it should say. We also need to keep in mind that the Bible is several books that make-up, one book. So when we look at one verse using the word faith, it does not discount all the verses that included baptism or vice versa.
What’s the whole picture?
What do the books combined tell us is necessary for Salvation?
If we’re willing to admit to ourselves that we may have more to learn. The complete answer is available to us in Scripture
The Bible continues to be the #1 bestseller
I can not Phantom God giving us His complete Word in forms we can’t possibly understand. Can you?
To me, the idea that God went through all this effort Including, the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross so that we might have eternal life. That He spent thousands of years bringing all of it to fruition only to give us a Bible we can’t trust to be accurate or understand with a little effort, reasoning, and discernment would be ridiculous.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
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