Featured Challenging Common Translation Choices

How about "baptism" without designating whether baptism with water, or baptism with the Holy Spirit is in view?
Or sanctified without designating whether being set apart in Christ or being made holy is in view?

 

Another Greek word to consider challenging the common translation choice is "kosmos" (G2889). The literal meaning refers to the components of a system, thus our planet, composed of water and soil and other non-organic or organic material is a "kosmos." So the challenge is to determine what system is in view from the context. By using the ambiguous English word "world" the translators have chosen to leave the interpretive understanding to the reader.

Let us consider John 3:16. God loved the "kosmos" in this way, He gave is unique Son so that everyone believing into Him would not perish but have eternal life. Was the object of God's love for animals, trees, rocks or water? No. His love was directed toward humanity. So the system in view is humanity, not our planet.

If the idea had been only the Elect, then the verse should have read "... so that they would not perish..." But that is not how it reads, instead the verse addresses a subset of the "system." Therefore why not translate Kosmos here as "humanity?" One reason is to avoid the firestorm that would be waged by those holding the "Elect" view. Do other reasons come to mind?

 

Sounds like circular reasoning to me. First your point is not the added words, but then the "free gift of God" is cited, as if those words were not added?

 

Most folks think Romans was originally written in Greek. Certainly the copies existent today are Greek.

If you want an interpretive translation, as the KJV certainly is, try this:

Consequently then as through one offense the means of condemnation entered all humans, and likewise through one righteous act the means of justification of life entered all humans. ​

 

At any point in time, the active body of Christ is using the common translations (English in our case) of the day. We are familiar with the renderings, and if a translation differs we do not "like" it. For example, if you memorized verses in the KJV, you might not want to go with a version that differs.

Another problem is that a dismissive mantra might arise such as the HCSB is "quirky."

But, if you take courses, formal or informal, that teach Bible Study methods, you will find yourself asking why this choice rather than that choice? Sometimes the answer is the versions are based on differing texts, CT, MT or TR. But even when looking at the verse same underlying text, translations present very different ideas.

For example, let us look at Romans 10:17, certainly an important text.

ESV
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

CEV
No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.

NKJV
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If we consider these renderings, is faith traveling to us (comes) or is the idea faith is based on or arises from something.

Or does "the word of Christ" refer to the words spoken by Christ rather than declarations made by others about Christ?

And how do we decide what to believe concerning this verse. Some posting on this Board say go with the ones you like or the ones using the most used rendering. Of course that is advocating fallacy.

Here is an interpretive translation based on study of the Greek word meanings.
Accordingly, the faith is based on heeding - moreover heeding the declarations about Christ.

 

Back to Romans 10:17, should we go with "so then" (NKJV) or "so faith" ESV or "no one" (CEV)? The Greek word means consequently or accordingly, or therefore. I like "accordingly" which forces the reader to look back and ask "according to what?"

The next words in most English translations are translating two Greek words, a definite article (the) and the noun in the nominative case "pistis." Reference to "the faith" usually refers to the information in which we put our trust, i.e. what we believe in. I know nothing of Greek grammar but nouns in the nominative case are used as the subject of sentences.

The next Greek word is the preposition "ex" (ek) which means out of and is used to refer to the source or basis of something. So "the faith" comes from or is based on something.

So far, our study has "Accordingly, the faith is based on..."

 

The faith is not just the information we believe is true, but what we adhere to, otherwise it is just information and not the faith.

Here is an interpretive translation based on study of the Greek word meanings.
Accordingly, the faith is based on heeding - moreover heeding the declarations about Christ.

 

Yes, God has chosen to provide His Revelation in His Word in written form, thus making it available to anyone who studies it. Do we get it wrong sometimes? Of course. Do the traditions of people make it to no effect sometimes? Of course. But God says His word can lead a person to Christ, and since some reject Christ, the opportunity seems rather open.

If a person studies the bible, does that mean they have been chosen to carry God's Word to the "masses?" Nope We are not all given as "Pastors and Teachers."

But we are all commanded to study God's word.

Psalms 119:27
Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
And I will meditate on Your wonders.

Many programs of discipleship include "How to study God's Word."

2 Timothy 3:16-17
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

 

Proverbs 2:1-5

My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you,

by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding,
indeed, if you call out for discernment - raise your voice for understanding -

if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure,

then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God.

 

D. L. Moody - The bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives...

 

James 1:22-25
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.

For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror.

For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was.

But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out - he will be blessed in what he does.

 

When we study a verse, or passage we need to use a sound method of study. We seek the original intent, what the author was trying to convey, by examining the culture, history, and theology, along with the word meanings at the time of writing, the grammar, and the context in which the passage is found.