The Validity of Modern Translations and the Nature of Scripture
The Bible, as the inspired word of God, is considered "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), meaning that God is fully responsible for its content, even though human authors were actively involved in its composition [4]. This divine origin underpins the belief in Scripture's authority and truthfulness [4, 7]. While the original texts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the need for translations arose early in history to make the Scriptures accessible to wider audiences [1].
The process of translation has a long history, dating back to the post-exilic period when Jews, no longer familiar with ancient Hebrew, required their Scriptures to be translated into Chaldaic (Aramaic), resulting in the Targums [1]. The Old Testament text was originally preserved on skins, rolled into volumes [2]. The New Testament was written in Koine Greek. The earliest complete translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek, the Septuagint, was produced in the centuries before Christ.
Modern translations aim to render the biblical text into contemporary languages, making it understandable to current readers. This process involves careful linguistic and textual scholarship. Translators often consult various ancient manuscripts and textual traditions to establish the most reliable base text before translating [3]. For instance, the preparation of Chrysostom's homilies involved meticulous work to establish a text "very closely approximating to the genuine work of the Author" before translation [3]. Similarly, efforts to improve existing translations involve making "minor changes in phraseology" and replacing "archaic and obsolescent words or expressions" with "more idiomatic modern language" to enhance clarity [5].
The validity of modern translations rests on the principle that the essential message and truth of Scripture can be conveyed across languages and cultures. While no translation can perfectly capture every nuance of the original language, faithful translations strive for accuracy and clarity. The "word of prophecy" (referring to the Old Testament Scriptures) is considered "more sure" than human testimonies because it is divinely inspired [6, 9]. The Scriptures are described as "righteous" and "faithful" or "true," containing "sayings of God that cannot lie" [7]. The promises within them are "faithfully performed by him that made them" [7]. This inherent truthfulness of the original text is what translators aim to preserve.
The inspiration of Scripture, as described in 2 Timothy 3:16, applies to the original writings, but the effectiveness of Scripture is not negated by its translation [4]. The purpose of Scripture is to provide wisdom for salvation and to equip believers for every good work [4]. This purpose is served when the text is accurately translated and understood. The righteousness of God, revealed in the Gospel, is an "everlasting righteousness" that remains true regardless of the language in which it is read [8]. Therefore, modern translations, when executed with scholarly rigor and faithfulness to the original texts, are considered valid and authoritative for Christian faith and practice.
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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Old Testament — I. TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.-- + History of the text. -A history of the text of the Old Testament should properly commence from the date of the completion of the canon. As regards the form in which the sacred writings were little doubt that the text was ordinarily were preserved, there can be written on skins, rolled up into volumes, like the modern synagogue rolls. (Psalms 40:7; Jeremiah 36:14; Ezekiel 2:9; Zechariah 5:1) The original character in which the text was expressed is that still preserved to us, with the exception of four letters, on the M”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew: and practice within the Church. For all information with respect to the Text and Manuscripts of these Homilies, the learned reader is referred to the Greek Edition of Mr. Field, which has been of great service, as affording a safe basis for the Translation. The paucity of materials possessed by Savile, and the carelessness of the Benedictine Editor, had left much room for improvement by a judicious and faithful use of the existing copies. It may now at last be hoped, that we have a Text very closely approximating to the genuine work of the Author. For the ”
- 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”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: iii Preface to the American Edition. ———————————— In the preparation of this volume of Chrysostom’s Homilies on Acts and Romans, the effort has been to improve the Oxford edition by some changes and corrections, and by the addition of critical and explanatory notes. The translation remains substantially unchanged. Frequent minor changes have, however, been made in phraseology, where it has seemed to me that the sense could thereby be made plainer. Archaic and obsolescent words or expressions have often been replaced by more idiomatic modern language.”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:134: Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous,.... The Scriptures are holy, just, and good; and what is contained in them are according to godliness; are for instruction in righteousness, and teach men to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and very faithful; or "true" (u): all the sayings in them are true and faithful sayings; for they are the sayings of God that cannot lie; the promises in them are faithfully performed by him that made them; they are all yea and amen in Christ. The words may be rendered, "thou hast commanded righteousness in thy test”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:138: Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,.... Or, "is for ever" (z). The rectitude of his nature, his faithfulness in his promises, and his kindness and beneficence to his people; and particularly the righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel; the righteousness of his Son, which he approves and accepts of, and imputes to him that believes. This is a righteousness that will last for ever, will never be abolished; it will answer for them that have it in a time to come; it is of use throughout the whole of life, at death, in the day of judgment, and to all ”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:19: In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. Here no”