Trending
II Timothy 3:16
We have been considering different translations and versions of the Bible. As individuals, there are many things we should remember when choosing a certain version of the Bible. The Bible we choose should reflect the original words and thoughts of the prophets, apostles, and men of God, not necessarily the thoughts of a king or a religious person. We do not want a paraphrase that adds to or takes away from God's original message. The original message given by God was (is) the true Word of God.
So, we know that we cannot hold up the Geneva Bible or the Authorized King James Version of 1611, and claim that it is the only true Word of God; they are imperfect translations. Even the people who translated the KJV of 1611 hoped it would be improved and corrections made. In the preface to the book, they made this statement about their manuscript, "notwithstanding that some imperfections and blemishes may be noted in the setting forth of it."
We also know that all the uninspired words of men that were added to the text to make the sense were not inspired by God, and were not part of the original canon of Scripture. It does seem possible that some versions we have today may contain the inerrant, infallible Word of God. But the mere words and thoughts of men are not inspired by God.
Most of the men who worked to translate the Scriptures, did so with the goal and purpose of making the Bible easy to read and understand. Tyndale once made the statement to a clergyman, "If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth a plough to know more of the Scripture than thou dost." This is what he was saying, "I am going to make the Scriptures easy to read, that even the common people will understand and know the Word of God," author's version.
The men who worked on the KJV of 1611 had the same goal and purpose. Here is their statement from the preface to the book. "But we desire that the Scripture may speak like it selfe, as in the land of Canaan, that it may be understood even of the very vulgar," reference, google, The King James Bible online. The word vulgar simply means, the common language of the common people." So here is a question for us to consider, why would we want to make it hard and difficult for others to read and understand the Word of God?
If the men who did the early translations of the Bible were after simplicity and accuracy in their work, then why would we want to be a hindrance to the gospel message by making it difficult, when we have good, accurate, easy-to-read, versions of the Bible? Even the preachers who hold to the KJV only have trouble pronouncing the words and get tongue-tied.
When Jesus walked the earth, He taught that we must come to Him as little children. The gospel message should be simple and easy to understand, so that a child can hear, comprehend, and receive the gospel. Are we working with Jesus; or are we clinging to some archaic, antiquated version of the Bible that our relatives used? Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
•••
Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.