Why do Bible translations differ?
Translations differ because the Bible came to us in Hebrew and Greek and has always been a translated book, and because translators make faithful choices: some versions aim for a more literal rendering, others for a clearer thought-for-thought one. The differences are matters of wording, not of message. Scripture itself shows the word being read, explained, and trusted: it is God-breathed, it endures, it is clear in what is essential, and from start to finish it speaks of Jesus. Because God has preserved and spoken His word, we can trust any faithful translation to give us His truth.
This question arose from studying Can I trust the Bible?.
Begin by reading
Go into the Word
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
God's word is meant to be understood
From the pages of Scripture itself, the word of God is read and explained so that people understand it. In Nehemiah, the Levites 'read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.' And on the road to Gaza, Philip found an official reading Isaiah aloud and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' then explained it to him. God's word is not meant to stay locked in one language; it is meant to reach the heart of every reader.
They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
God's word endures through every faithful telling
The message does not depend on one fragile copy or one perfect rendering. Isaiah declares that while grass withers and flowers fade, 'the word of our God stands forever'; Peter says the Lord's word endures forever. Jesus even insisted that not the smallest stroke of the law would pass away. Whatever faithful translation you hold, you are holding the enduring word of the God who has kept it across every age and every language.
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”
but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.
For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letteror one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
The word is clear in what matters most
The Bible does not say its message is hidden and hard to find; it says the word is near, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Scripture is able to make a person wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, and God's law, sure testimony, is 'making wise the simple.' The essentials of the faith, the gospel itself, are plain in every faithful translation; differences of rendering do not blur them.
For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you or too distant.
But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
Every rendering points to one Person
The whole book has a single subject. Jesus said, 'You search the Scriptures... and these are they which testify about me.' On the road to Emmaus, beginning from Moses and all the prophets, He explained the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Translation can shift the shade of a word, but it cannot lose the central message: the Scriptures, in any faithful translation, are telling you about Jesus.
“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
We read with help, as the word has always been opened
Understanding comes as the word is read with help, the way it has always been opened. The people in Ezra's day needed the law read distinctly and explained; the Ethiopian needed Philip to show him that the passage was about Jesus. The Spirit who inspired the word also opens it to us: the things of God are spiritually discerned. A good translation brings the word to you; reading it with an open heart, and with the Body of Christ, lets you hear the voice behind it.
They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
As you read, you may wonder…
Scripture raises the next question
Studying the Word naturally opens more of it. Follow what you just read: it leads somewhere.
We haven't written this one yet. Take it to your church or small group: the Word answers it wherever it is asked. If we study it here later, all the better.
Hold onto these
Verses to meditate on
They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
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