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In recent weeks and months, I’ve heard a lot of discussion about Bible translation
s. Some advocate “King James only” while others have low estimates of paraphrases et
c. People seem to have a wide range of opinions about which translation is “inspir
ed” (if any) and which should be recommended for use as a study tool.
There are many different angles this topic can be approached from. We could look
at the reliability of the underlying texts, the process of translation, which t
ranslations were accepted by the Reformers, etc, etc, etc, but I think that thes
e aspects have been pretty thoroughly covered and detailed elsewhere. What I hav
e never seen, is someone simply open the scriptures and get an answer from the B
ible itself, so this is what we’ll attempt to do and when we are done, if nothing
else, we will agree to live by the principle of “let each person be fully convince
d in their own mind” as outlined in Romans 14:5.
Let’s begin by asking the question, “What is the purpose of the scriptures?” By asking
this question, we can more readily recognize the answer as to which Bible trans
lation is best for us. This question will guide and constrain our search. Here i
s what the scriptures answer about themselves:
Romans 15:4 (KJV
)For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, tha
t we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
The phrase “for our learning” would be better translated as “for our instruction”, but t
he idea is the same. Here is another text:
Hebrews 10:6 (KJV)
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for
our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
This passage states that scriptures are written for our “admonition” which is define
d as:
–noun
1.an act of admonishing.
2.counsel, advice, or caution.
3.a gentle reproof.
4.a warning or reproof given by an eccleslastical authority.
So again, we see the general purpose of the scripture is to teach us, that we ma
y take counsel and learn from it.
The last text we will look at is 2 Tim 3:16
Remember to allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide in your choice and He will le
ad you safely. Christ has told us, do not be anxious about what you will eat or
drink, for our Father knows we have need of these things. What s more, is that H
e is faithful to supply our spiritual bread as He is to supply our physical brea
d.
Be free in Christ, and do not again be caught in the bondage of serving someone
else’s conscience, but:
Rom 14:5…Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.