Authority of Scripture in Translation and Interpretation
Scripture's authority does not derive from ecclesiastical decree but from its divine origin, a principle that shapes how Christians approach both translation and interpretation. The canon itself denotes "the authoritative rule of faith and practice, the standard of doctrine and duty," a right that "does not arise from any ecclesiastical authority" but from the texts' inherent character as revelation [3]. This foundational claim—that Scripture carries intrinsic authority—precedes questions about which translation to use or how to read it.
Divine Inspiration and Human Mediation
Paul's assertion that "all Scripture is inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:16) establishes the theological ground for scriptural authority [2]. The term rendered "inspired" literally means "God-breathed," indicating that Scripture originates from "God's own speech" [5]. Critically, this divine origin "does not negate the active involvement of the human authors" but "affirms that God is fully responsible" for the text [5]. Peter reinforces this dual agency: prophecy came "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [2], yet through human instruments. This interplay between divine source and human mediation becomes crucial when evaluating translations, which necessarily involve further human agency in rendering the original languages.
Translation as Interpretive Act
Versions—translations of the Scriptures—function as "important helps to the right interpretation of the Word" [1]. The need for translation arose historically when communities lost fluency in the original languages, as when post-exilic Jews required Aramaic Targums because they were "no longer familiar with the old Hebrew" [1]. Every translation involves interpretive choices, yet the authority resides not in the translation itself but in the original revelation it mediates. The technical use of "Scripture" in Greek refers exclusively to "the sacred Scriptures," never to "writings in general" [7], marking a categorical distinction between inspired text and derivative versions.
The Role of the Interpreter
While "Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice" [4], interpretation remains a contested domain. One tradition insists that "no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation," though this does not deny "the right of private judgment" or the believer's capacity to read and examine Scripture through "the unction which teacheth all things" [6]. The tension lies between individual discernment and communal accountability. The apostolic testimony itself required divine confirmation "through miracles accompanying it" and through the Spirit's "inward power" enabling acceptance of the Gospel [8]. Authority in interpretation thus involves both the Spirit's illumination and the text's objective content, mediated through translations that serve rather than supplant the original deposit.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Version — A translation of the holy Scriptures. This word is not found in the Bible, nevertheless, as frequent references are made in this work to various ancient as well as modern versions, it is fitting that some brief account should be given of the most important of these. These versions are important helps to the right interpretation of the Word. (See SAMARITAN [653]PENTATEUCH.) 1. The Targums. After the return from the Captivity, the Jews, no longer familiar with the old Hebrew, required that their Scriptures should be translated for them into the Chaldaic or Ar”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Canon — This word is derived from a Hebrew and Greek word denoting a reed or cane. Hence it means something straight, or something to keep straight; and hence also a rule, or something ruled or measured. It came to be applied to the Scriptures, to denote that they contained the authoritative rule of faith and practice, the standard of doctrine and duty. A book is said to be of canonical authority when it has a right to take a place with the other books which contain a revelation of the Divine will. Such a right does not arise from any ecclesiastical authority, but fr”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:16: Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice. Be ye . . . for I am--It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [CALVIN]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey i”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:20: Knowing this first,.... Especially, and in the first place, this is to be known, observed, and considered; that no prophecy of the Scripture, that is contained in Scripture, be it what it will, is of any private interpretation: not that this is levelled against the right of private judgment of Scripture; or to be understood as if a private believer had not a right of reading, searching, examining, and judging, and interpreting the Scriptures himself, by virtue of the unction which teacheth all things; and who, as a spiritual man, judgeth all things; otherwise, wh”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture--Greek, "Every Scripture," that is, Scripture in its every part. However, English Version is sustained, though the Greek article be wanting, by the technical use of the term "Scripture" being so well known as not to need the article (compare Greek, Eph 3:15; Eph 2:21). The Greek is never used of writings in general, but only of the sacred Scriptures. The position of the two Greek adjectives closely united by "and," forbids our taking the one as an epithet, the other as predicated and translated as ALFORD and ELLICOTT. "Every Scripture ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 1:6: According as the testimony of (of, and concerning) Christ (who is both the object and author of this testimony [BENGEL]; Co1 2:1; Ti1 2:6; Ti2 1:8) was confirmed among [ALFORD] you; that is, by God, through my preaching and through the miracles accompanying it (Co1 12:3; Mar 16:20; Co2 1:21-22; Gal 3:2, Gal 3:5; Eph 4:7-8; Heb 2:4). God confirmed (compare Phi 1:7; Heb 2:3), or gave effect to the Gospel among (or better as English Version, "in") the Corinthians by their accepting it and setting their seal to its truth, through the inward power of ”