The languages of the Bible are unique to their time, and this is excellent!
Here is why
Language scholars can refer to the original writings to clarify meaning. They can discover how the original text was used and written. Often, the words in the original language have several possible meanings. Yet only one of those meanings fits best within the context of how the word was used and 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 repeatedly, regardless of the type of paper or stone they were originally written on.
With the “King James Version,” all the manuscripts available at the time were combined into the books of the Bible. The translations were completed by a large group of approximately 50 highly qualified scholars. These scholars checked, double-checked, and triple-checked the letters and manuscripts they had. They tested each piece against a set of rules they created to ensure it had been correctly translated. These scholars also defined the chapters, verses, and punctuation to facilitate reading today, as these were not part of the original language.
More transcripts were found after the “King James” translation. Some of these writings were older than those used to create the KJV. Many modern versions use the King James Version as their base to create versions that are easier for readers to understand. In contrast, other versions compare the manuscripts used to translate the KJV with older manuscripts and then revise the new versions, prioritizing the older manuscripts. Note: In a few cases, an entire verse was removed based on older writings; these changes were minor and did not alter the text of Scripture.
If English is our native tongue, we often think only of these versions as being in Old or modern English; however, many translations of God’s Word have been made in multiple languages.
It’s also true that not all versions were translated with the same care. In fact, some versions are no more than one person’s interpretation, while others are produced by groups with an agenda beyond a strict translation; this is why it’s essential to understand how a translation came about to determine how much credibility we should accord to what we read.
Personally, I like ESV, KJV, NKJ, NASB1995, and the ASV the most. I also use other versions occasionally to help understand some verses. The most meticulous interpretation of scripture undertaken in the 1600s, under the threat of death, was the KJV.
As a follower of Christ and not a scholar of biblical languages, I rely heavily on versions I believe were compiled with the greatest accuracy.
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 is possible to understand everything God wants us to understand clearly. We just need to set aside our desires and expectations, open our hearts and minds, and pay attention to God’s desires and will.
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 remember that the Bible is a collection of several books that make one book. So, when we look at one verse using the word faith, it does not discount all the verses that include baptism and 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 cannot fathom God giving us His complete Word in forms we can’t possibly understand. Can you?
I can’t perceive that God went through all this effort, including the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross so that we might have eternal life, spent thousands of years bringing all of this to fruition, only to give us a Bible, we can’t trust to be accurate or understand with a little effort, reasoning, and discernment; this 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
God First!
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