Role of Bible Translations in Evangelism and Missions
The role of Bible translations in evangelism and missions is rooted in the biblical concept of proclaiming the gospel to all nations. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, instructs believers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" [6]. This mandate underscores the importance of communicating the message of salvation in a language that people can understand.
Bible translations play a crucial role in facilitating this process. By translating the Scriptures into various languages, missionaries and evangelists can effectively share the gospel with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The early Christian church recognized the significance of translation, as evident in the existence of ancient versions such as the Targums, which were Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Scriptures [1].
The concept of evangelism is closely tied to the role of Bible translations. An evangelist is described as a "publisher of glad tidings" or a "missionary preacher of the gospel" [2]. The work of evangelists involves proclaiming the gospel to those who have not heard it before, rather than instructing or pastoring those who have already believed. This understanding is reflected in the writings of the apostle Paul, who emphasized the importance of preaching the gospel to those who have not heard it (Romans 10:14-15) [5].
Throughout history, Bible translations have been instrumental in spreading the gospel to new regions and communities. The establishment of organizations like the British and Foreign Bible Society has facilitated the translation and dissemination of Scripture, enabling the gospel to reach a wider audience [3]. As the gospel is proclaimed, it is accompanied by the translation of Scripture, which serves as a vital tool for evangelism and discipleship.
The significance of Bible translations in evangelism and missions is further underscored by the biblical emphasis on the importance of clear and effective communication. The prophet Malachi describes the priest as a "messenger of the Lord," responsible for interpreting and communicating God's will to the people (Malachi 2:7) [4]. Similarly, the apostle Paul highlights the need for ministers to be qualified and sent forth to preach the gospel (Romans 10:15) [5].
The spread of the gospel through Bible translations has been a hallmark of Christian missionary endeavors. As the gospel continues to be proclaimed, Bible translations remain an essential component of evangelism and missions, enabling the message of salvation to be communicated effectively to people across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Evangelist — A "publisher of glad tidings;" a missionary preacher of the gospel (Eph. 4:11). This title is applied to Philip (Acts 21:8), who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word (8:4, 40). Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists had neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of the flock. They were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. The writers of the four Gospels are known as”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 14:6: Another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel - Whether this angel mean any more than a particular dispensation of providence and grace, by which the Gospel shall be rapidly sent throughout the whole world; or whether it mean any especial messenger, order of preachers, people, or society of Christians, whose professed object it is to send the Gospel of the kingdom throughout the earth, we know not. But the vision seems truly descriptive of a late institution, entitled The British and Foreign Bible Society, whose object it is to print an”
- Malachi (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Malachi 2:7: In doing so (Mal 2:6) he did his duty as a priest, "for," &c. knowledge--of the law, its doctrines, and positive and negative precepts (Lev 10:10-11; Deu 24:8; Jer 18:18; Hag 2:11). the law--that is, its true sense. messenger of . . . Lord--the interpreter of His will; compare as to the prophets, Hag 1:13. So ministers are called "ambassadors of Christ" (Co2 5:20); and the bishops of the seven churches in Revelation, "angels" or messengers (Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18; Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14; compare Gal 4:14).”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 10:15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent,.... There is no proper, rightful, regular, and lawful preaching of the word without a mission, which is either extraordinary, or ordinary; extraordinary mission was such as the apostles themselves had; who, as they were called to extraordinary service, had extraordinary qualifications, and were sent forth in an extraordinary manner, with a power of doing miracles, and immediately by Christ himself. Ordinary mission is of men to be pastors and teachers, which includes qualifications for the ministerial work; for whom Chr”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 24:30: And he shall send his angels,.... Not the angels, i.e. ministering spirits, so called, not from their nature, but their office, as being sent forth by God and Christ; but men angels, or messengers, the ministers and preachers of the Gospel, whom Christ would call, qualify, and send forth into all the world of the Gentiles, to preach his Gospel, and plant churches there still more, when that at Jerusalem was broken up and dissolved. These are called "angels", because of their mission, and commission from Christ, to preach the Gospel; and because of their knowledge an”