Part 1 of 3 regarding Translations of the Bible

What is the deal with Bible Translations? Why are there so many different kinds? What is the difference between them all? Which one is right for me? Which one is the most spiritual one to use? How can “God’s Word” be in so many different formats? How did the Bible get from God to us?

If you have ever asked yourself these questions, then this paper is for you. It is just a brief review of Bible translations, how the Bible gets from God to us, and which translation may be best for you.

I think we can all acknowledge there are a ridiculous amount of Bibles on the market today. The Archeological Study Bible, Holman Illustrated Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible, Everyday Bible, Bible Experience, Listener’s Bible, Drink Deeply Compact Bible, Student Bible, Maxwell Leadership Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Quest Study Bible, New Adventure Bible, Grace for the Moment Daily Bible, Nelson’s Study Bible, Women’s Bible, Men’s Bible, Share Jesus without Fear Bible, Baby’s New Testament, Invitation NT, Drill Bible, Everyday with Jesus Bible, Everyone can receive the Gift Bible, Sportsman’s Bible, Firefighter’s Bible, Here’s Hope NT, Police Officer’s Bible, Minister’s Bible, Serendipity Bible, Marine’s Bible, Soldier’s Bible, Teacher’s Bible, Ultra Thin Reference, Light Speed Bible.

The important thing to know is that the translation of your Bible is what is important. Not the marketing. The “Redneck’s Bible” may have some interesting “redneck commentary” or pretty pictures of Jesus shooting a deer or going fishing, but it’s still the same Bible underneath.

Still, with all of these Bibles, how can one know what is the right one to read? Moreover, if your Bible reads differently than the pastor’s or your friend’s, how can you know which one is correct? Even if we cut through all of the marketing, there is still a variety of different translations. There is the TNIV, NIV, ESV, NASB, KJV, NKJV, RSV, CET, NLT, Message, and so forth. How can you know what Bible version is the correct one or the best one?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I am not going to tell you at the end what translation or version of the Bible is the best one. Instead my goal is to help you understand how we get the Scriptures from God to man, help you understand the philosophies behind the various translations, and give you some tools to help you choose a translation for your own study of the Word of God.