Do Bible Translations Really Matter?

We love receiving questions, like the one above, from students! And we aim to answer them in the light of Christ, under God’s word, and with an eye to our context.

Do Bible Translations Really Matter?

At the most important level, we must say YES!

In other words, the question here is: how well do our translations accurately translate the Biblical manuscripts we have?

In case you don’t know, our modern Bibles come from translations of ancient manuscripts (texts/documents) written in the original Hebrew and Aramaic (the languages of the Old Testament) and Greek (the language of the New Testament)..

And simply put: there are poor translations, and there are decent translations of the Bible from those manuscripts.

Generally, stay away from the poor and stick with the decent. An example of a ‘poor’ version is the NWT (New World Translation), the ‘Bible’ of Jehovah Witnesses which mistranslates certain passages to fit their beliefs – especially concerning the deity of Jesus.

But then at a different level, we can say no. 

In other words, when we compare a bunch of good Bible translations, at that level, which one we pick does not really matter all that much. For example: If you compare the NIV with the ESV with the CSB, no outright winner emerges. We might have preferences (the CSB for me!), and those preferences might even stem from certain convictions – but for the most part, we are choosing between pretty healthy translations! 

Having said that: I recognise the glut of English translations, and that in many other languages the choices are not as plentiful, or as good. And so: 

• Pray for new, and better translations, for example, the recent 2020 isiZulu Bible. 

• Consider becoming a Bible Translator if your mother tongue language and people are not as well served!

RELATED QUESTIONS

1. What are the different translation philosophies used?

Let me recommend this page by the CSB (Christian Standard Bible) which lays out the various elements to translation work: https://csbible.com/about-the-csb/translation-philosophy/

Perhaps here it is worth noting, as they do, the common mistake of equating a more literal (word for word) translation as automatically better. That is not always the case – literal is not always more accurate, especially in terms of understanding language and making the meaning clear to readers.

2. What do we do with paraphrase versions?

Firstly, we must recognise that they are not ‘translations’ per se but paraphrases and interpretations. 

And there may be a place for them. For instance, for those with English as a 3rd or 4th language, something like ‘The Message’, or the TEV, or the TLB could be useful. But again, to put it bluntly, as ‘translations’ of the Bible, they are poor translations! 

3. KJV only? (yes, a belief even found in Africa…)

First published in 1611, there is no doubt that the King James (or Authorised) version has had a tremendous impact globally. Many of its delightful expressions have remained with us. And in some places I think it gets poetry better than some more modern translations (here’s looking at you, ESV).

However, in response to KJO (King James Only) views, we should say that the KJV does carry errors – even if smoothed out in later version… for instance of unicorns, or 1 John 5:7-8. And if I remember correctly, at times it allowed the Latin Vulgate to carry too much weight in translation choices. But more importantly, even if the bulk of the manuscripts were quality, the translators did not have access to some of the better manuscripts which most modern translations use today.

A belief in KJO is problematic – practically (it simply isn’t), and theologically (it simply can’t be in terms of how God has and does work). 

4. Should the history of so many different translations, and even of 'better' ones, cause us concern?

Not at all. 

The history of Bible translations is a history of God faithfully making the message of Jesus available to us – again and again and again, in so many different languages. Putting poor translations to the side, most of the quibbles among healthy translations regards a very small percentage of the verses in the actual Bible. Overall, the message of Jesus has been persevered and promoted from age to age. All under the kind and watchful eye of the Father.

5. In Africa, what was the role of Western Missionaries and Bible Translators in relation to local languages and cultures?

The relationship between Western Missionaries who did much Bible Translating, and local cultures (including languages) under Colonialism is a complex one. Far more complex and nuanced than the vogue contemporary position of painting Missionaries under Colonialism as only evil or unwise. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of charges stick! Just as they do against Christians of all stripes and ethnicities today in various matters. But while there are negative points to raise in rebuke and correction and tears, there are also many positive points worth highlighting. Let me simply raise three points that Prof. Lamin Sanneh, a Gambian who died in 2019, makes in some of his works.

Sanneh would say that Western Missionaries often threw themselves into translating the Bible into local languages. They did it because they believed the message and they wanted others to hear it - and Sanneh would say you can not fault them for that! But as they did the translation work a few things happened:

• One, they “lost the position of being the expert”. In other words, as the Missionaries translated the Scriptures into local languages it actually decreased some of the power the Missionaries might have had as unique holders of knowledge. 

• Two, once locals understood the Scriptures for themselves, they, in turn, had the Christian convictions to call into question “the legitimacy of all schemes of foreign domination – cultural, political and religious.” In other words, it was Missionaries in their translation work who provided ammunition (from the Bible itself) against Colonialism etc. We see this element emerge in South Africa even in the Black Consciousness Movement, and through various Christian leaders of anti-Apartheid political parties.

• Three, where English, French, Portuguese or Arabic threatened to supress local languages, the Missionaries in their translation work actual served to preserve and promote indigenous language (and culture).

You can read more of Sanneh’s arguments in: ‘Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture’ (2009 - book) and ‘Christian missions and the Western guilt complex’ (1987 – article).
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What are you waiting for? Pick up a healthy translation of the Bible, pray to God for help, and then start reading. And why not join our ‘Read Scripture with TBT’ initiative to help you even further.

Why bother with the Bible? Check out our recent talk on that from our YouTube channel here.