Have MV's caused more confusion than good?

[Baptist4life]

I believe that MV's have caused more problems/anger/confusion than benefits. People in my church use several different versions and in Sunday School classes and in my Pastors' sermons, people are often CONFUSED because their version doesn't say/read the same as other peoples do.......this is REALLY a concern for me, and truthfully, causes me to wish that there WERE only ONE version of the Bible..........I feel Satan uses this to deceive....thoughts?....BTW, I have a KJV (which I prefer) and a NKJV (I struggle with it because I've used a KJV for 50 years and anything else doesn't "sound" like Scripture to me), which is what my Pastor preaches from.

 

[Chessic]

lol, pick a thread and I'll do my best to keep up.

All the different meanings from all the different translations bothers me, too. Has God given us a spirit of "a sound mind" or "discipline?" (2 Tim 1:7) These two words have vastly different meanings to me.

Truthfully, I find the variations in meaning disturbing, but no less so than some of the disagreements on the boards here lately, where we cannot agree on such basics as what a Christian is, whether being saved means being born again, etc.

I've been struggling with NKJ lately, too, as I seek a translation to move to, after many years using the NIV. Currently I'm comparing NAS, NKJ, and Amp. Not 100% on any of them, but favoring NAS, atm.

Sure wish I could believe some version, say KJV, was truly superior, but it seems like each of them has flaws. The whole subject bothers my faith that God preserves His Word for us. What to do?

 

[EdSutton]

I believe that MV's have caused more problems/anger/confusion than benefits. People in my church use several different versions and in Sunday School classes and in my Pastors' sermons, people are often CONFUSED because their version doesn't say/read the same as other peoples do.......this is REALLY a concern for me, and truthfully, causes me to wish that there WERE only ONE version of the Bible..........I feel Satan uses this to deceive....thoughts?....BTW, I have a KJV (which I prefer) and a NKJV (I struggle with it because I've used a KJV for 50 years and anything else doesn't "sound" like Scripture to me), which is what my Pastor preaches from.

The key phrases here are "(which I prefer)", and "anything else doesn't "sound" like scripture to me", in this post. Frankly, I'd say a better question would substitute, and be more applicable. Try this! "What are the Scriptures really saying?", as we are able to understand it. Or, in the alternative, "What is the intent of the authors of Scripture?"

Any version, so-called MV or otherwise, can "cause more problems/anger/confusion than benefits", when we are trying to fit Scripture into our own ideas. How about if we try to make our own ideas fit Scripture? I suggest this will greatly keep down the problems, IMO.

Ed

 

[Baptist4life]

The key phrases here are "(which I prefer)", and "anything else doesn't "sound" like scripture to me", in this post. Frankly, I'd say a better question would substitute, and be more applicable. Try this! "What are the Scriptures really saying?", as we are able to understand it. Or, in the alternative, "What is the intent of the authors of Scripture?"

Any version, so-called MV or otherwise, can "cause more problems/anger/confusion than benefits", when we are trying to fit Scripture into our own ideas. How about if we try to make our own ideas fit Scripture? I suggest this will greatly keep down the problems, IMO.

Ed

No.........it causes MORE confusion!!.......you can watch people in the pews wrinkling their brows and looking at each other to compare what the other's Bible says!.........there are discussions among members about what's IN one version and LEFT OUT in someone else's!!.that's VERY disturbing to me, and others, who just want to KNOW that what they are reading IS God's Word..MV's, IMHO, have caused MUCH confusion.......:BangHead:

 

[rbell]

I believe that MV's have caused more problems/anger/confusion than benefits. People in my church use several different versions and in Sunday School classes and in my Pastors' sermons, people are often CONFUSED because their version doesn't say/read the same as other peoples do.......this is REALLY a concern for me, and truthfully, causes me to wish that there WERE only ONE version of the Bible..........I feel Satan uses this to deceive....thoughts?....BTW, I have a KJV (which I prefer) and a NKJV (I struggle with it because I've used a KJV for 50 years and anything else doesn't "sound" like Scripture to me), which is what my Pastor preaches from.

Learn Greek & Hebrew, then.

There wasn't just "one version of the Bible" in 1611 either.

 

[Deacon]

Don’t be an old stodgy, irritable Christian. Open yourself up to understanding what the message of the Bible is and don’t get stuck on the translated word differences.
Most Christians believe the Bible just fell from the sky the way they read it.
People suffered and died for the right to translate the words we read in our Bible. …and you’re blaming Satan?
Praise God for the multitude of versions!

Versional differences have been around since a second translation was made.
Why even Jesus and his disciples had a variety of versions available during their time.

Sure it can cause problems/anger/confusion.
That’s a heart issue with each person and not the fault of the versions.
The problems/questions/confusion should give us an impetus to study hard to find out why there are differences.

Learn something about your Bible.
Learn how it was made, the history of the version, the materials/documents that the translators worked with, the strengths and weaknesses of a particular version.

If the strength of your version is that you’ve memorized it for 50 years, then of course you’ll be comfortable with its sound.
But new, younger Christians may not understand it.
Why force a new believer to learn a new language when they can pick up a version they can understand.

BTW, it's nice to have some new voices in the forum, welcome.

Rob

 

[TCGreek]

I believe that MV's have caused more problems/anger/confusion than benefits. People in my church use several different versions and in Sunday School classes and in my Pastors' sermons, people are often CONFUSED because their version doesn't say/read the same as other peoples do.......this is REALLY a concern for me, and truthfully, causes me to wish that there WERE only ONE version of the Bible..........I feel Satan uses this to deceive....thoughts?....BTW, I have a KJV (which I prefer) and a NKJV (I struggle with it because I've used a KJV for 50 years and anything else doesn't "sound" like Scripture to me), which is what my Pastor preaches from.

I respect your concern, and I think it is a legitimate one. As a pastor I personally use the NASB. All our pew bibles are NASB and I have tried to get others to use the NASB, but they are going to use what they are comfortable with.

Of course it would be nice for everyone to use the same bible and be on the same page. Do I think it is a ploy of Satan? That is making too much of it simple situation.

A pastor who understands that he has been called and commissioned by God would be a man of God, correctling handling the Word of Truth, despite the varied versions, whether he uses the KJV, NIV, NASB, ESV or even the TNIV.

Let us be reasonable here.

 

[Baptist4life]

I'm really NOT trying to be un-reasonable! :saint: ........really I'm not!...I just get concerned that God's Word is being LOST in all these MV...........I've been studying/praying about this for over 2 years and BOTH sides have innumerable websites to justify their reasons for KJVO or MV's.....I WANT THE TRUE Word of GOD.......I DON'T think it IS in every MV........I didn't say ANY........I said EVERY...I believe that SOME MV's ARE the Word of God.............I also believe SOME MV's alter God's Word or leave something out.....I DO NOT care for the NIV or "thought for thought" translations, for example....leaves too much "translator opinion" in the process....I'm also a TR guy, and believe those are the most accurate documents.........anyway, Pastor, do you think a church should at least IDENTIFY the version that the pastor is going to be using the majority of the time??.......then the people could decide if that is the version they want to use also?....our church NEVER "declared" which version our Pastor uses, but most people have figured out it's the NKJV, which I LIKE, but not completely.......NEVER do I think a church should FORCE a person to use a particular version.

 

[tinytim]

As a pastor I think it would be good etiquette for the pastor to let people know what version he uses when he preaches...

I use the KJV, because that is what I was raised with.
plus it is what most of my congregation uses.. some use NKJV, others NIV.

But they know that I always read from the kJV... and use the KJV in my powerpoints...

Sometimes I do quote a verse from a different version but I always let them know why, and from what version I quoted from...

Try this exercise...
Pick any verse you want... look it up in a multitude of different versions.. read it... then step back and let God tell you what the verse means...
If you don't have a lot of versions... go to www.e-sword.net and download the Bible program...

It has many Bible versions, dictionaries, commentaries, articles, maps, etc... all for free.

Sometimes the way one version phrases something brings new light on a familiar passage...
If there are differences... find out why.
It is hard work sometimes.. but nothing worth it's weight in gold is easy.

MVs didn't cause the confusion...
Mankind did... by trying to build a tower to reach Heaven.
God confused the languages...
Every since then, we have struggled with language.

 

[labaptist]

I think that whether or not your KJV only that one must admit that having a pastor use one bible and the church 3 or 4 different ones is confusing. I go to a KJV only church and I carry a KJV to church so theres no problem there.

 

[Ed Edwards]

I believe that MV's have caused more problems/anger/confusion than benefits. People in my church use several different versions and in Sunday School classes and in my Pastors' sermons, people are often CONFUSED because their version doesn't say/read the same as other peoples do.......this is REALLY a concern for me, and truthfully, causes me to wish that there WERE only ONE version of the Bible..........I feel Satan uses this to deceive....thoughts?....BTW, I have a KJV (which I prefer) and a NKJV (I struggle with it because I've used a KJV for 50 years and anything else doesn't "sound" like Scripture to me), which is what my Pastor preaches from.

Why do you come to a Version/Translation Forum where the main
purpose is to discuss the variation between
and among Versions & Translations? Here our main reason for posting
is to share with each other our studies where we compare
Versions & Translations verse by verse to see what the best
understanding is. God uses multiple versions to help us better
understand His inerrant Written Word, The Bible: complete in
all the worthy Versions & Translations.

2 Timothy7 3:16-17 (KJV1611 Edition):
All Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God,
& is profitable for doctrine, for reproofe,
for correction, for instrution in righteousnesse,
17 That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished vnto all good workes.

(even this scripture is better understood in
an Version prior to 1611)

2 Timothy7 3:16-17 (Geneva Bible, 1587 Edition):
For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God,
and is profitable to teache, to conuince,
to correct, and to instruct in righteousnesse,
17 That the man of God may be absolute,
being made perfect vnto all good workes.

 

[Hope of Glory]

I just get concerned that God's Word is being LOST in all these MV

I can point you to an excellent resource from which you can learn Greek starting at the beginning and ending at an advanced level, and the price is right. Free!

Then, you won't have to rely on any translation, and you will readily see why different translators chose different words.

Edited to add: Also, when I was a child I used to see Bibles with the KJV translators' notes all the time. Now, I rarely see them. But, I have acquired them as a pdf file if anyone wants them.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

No.........it causes MORE confusion!!.......you can watch people in the pews wrinkling their brows and looking at each other to compare what the other's Bible says!.........there are discussions among members about what's IN one version and LEFT OUT in someone else's!!.that's VERY disturbing to me, and others, who just want to KNOW that what they are reading IS God's Word..MV's, IMHO, have caused MUCH confusion.......:BangHead:

The confusion is not caused by versions - it is caused by a lack of knowledge on the parts of God's people. Study the issue, figure out where you stand - and the confusion stops.

 

[robycop3]

For is the kingdom of God to become words or syllables?
Why should we be in bondage to them if we may be free,
use one precisely when we may use another
no less fit, as commodiously?(AV translators, To The Reader)

 

[Ed Edwards]

I think that whether or not your KJV only that one must admit that having a pastor use one bible and the church 3 or 4 different ones is confusing. I go to a KJV only church and I carry a KJV to church so theres no problem there.

I respectfully disagree. If the pastor is halfway educated he can
teach more from multiple versions than one version.

I get along very nicely in my Sunday School class with
6 people and 8 versions. Even Lifeway quarterly literature
has two different versions printed in each lesson.


We buried my nKJV man a couple of weeks ago
Everybody in my class is qualified to teach except for the
man who carries a LIVING BIBLE.
I even have a KJVO Brother in my class (he uses a
KJV1769 Edition and I bring a KJV1611 Edition).

 

[Baptist4life]

Why do you come to a Version/Translation Forum where the main
purpose is to discuss the variation between
and among Versions & Translations? /B]

Well, I'm sorry I didn't post in the right way I guess. :tonofbricks: Thank you for so kindly bringing that to my attention.

 

[Ed Edwards]

No problem on your part Baptist4life - I just used the
soapbox that you built to stand on for my sermon :saint:

Chessic: //All the different meanings from all the different
translations bothers me, too. Has God given
us a spirit of "a sound mind" or "discipline?" (2 Tim 1:7)
These two words have vastly different meanings to me.//

Please cite Version, Book, Chapter, and Verse.
I'm required by God to check out every verse I read
on the BB (Baptist Board) in it's original version.

(Sure steps on the toes of people who aren't used
to writing/preaching to Bereans )

I consider this axiomatic:

God uses a multitude of versions in English to preserve
His Inerrant Holy Written Word. The Holy Spirit
uses multiple versions as
a way to increase one's uderstanding of the Bible and
to increase one's service to Christ (AKA: Messiah Jesus).

 

[Ed Edwards]

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV = New International Version):
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV1769 Edition with Strong's numbers):
For1063 God2316 hath not3756 given1325
us2254 the spirit4151 of fear;1167
but235 of power,1411 and2532 of love,26
and2532 of a sound mind.4995


Strong's sez:
σωφρονισμός
sōphronismos
so-fron-is-mos'
From G4994; discipline, that is,
self control: - sound mind.

as usual, Strong's uses the KJV as the last
entry for it didn't fit in at all

I assume (logical assumption AKA: axiom):

God uses a multitude of versions in English to preserve
His Inerrant Holy Written Word. The Holy Spirit
uses multiple versions as
a way to increase one's uderstanding of the Bible and
to increase one's service to Christ (AKA: Messiah Jesus).

Using that we must figure out what it is that God is trying
to tell us. I have some self-discipline myself, and take
anti-depressants. I know some will use this verse to
damn me for taking anti-depressants because that
shows I don't have a SOUND MIND.
So yes, the meaning of this scripture is VERY IMPORTANT
to me for I am being damned because
of THEIR MISUNDERSTANDING
of the scripture. Yes, I take it personal:
Eternal Salvation is real Personal; Eternal Damnation
is real Personal; Jesus is real Personal.
I have a sound mind, it would be depressed if it weren't
for my meds. Praise God he has provided us with shrinks
who can help us live again. You know when you are
hungry (fast or poverty) all you think about is food
to the detriment of all other thought. All you think about
with depression (bad case, of course - light cases
aren't all the time as bad) is NOTHINGNESS: no humor, no
ability to make simple decisions (spending 30 minutes
about if to put a sock on the left foot or right foot, for
example), no desires, no ambition, no thing, nothing
at all. I have enough self-discipline to take my meds
everyday ( irregardless of what you might think
reading some of my posts - teehee ). These
anti-depressants help me to be the
grandfather/guardian (2 children)
I need to be; the Sunday
School teacher I need to be; the Head Usher I need to
be; the husband I need to be; the superior
poster on the BB /Baptist board/ I need to be,
the Oklahoma Citizen I need to be; etc.

 

[Chessic]

I was referring to the NAS and NKJV in my post, but it looks like you found translations appropriate to the discussion. I, too, am interested in the verse because of how it relates to depression, from which I also suffer. The promise of "a sound mind" feels in stark contrast to "discipline" or "self-discipline" to me, but I seek to understand what God is communicating, not what makes sense to me.

I try to remind myself that God's word is inspired and infallible, but translations may not be. Nevertheless, I seek to find the translation that most clearly expresses the underlying Word of God to me.

I'm grateful that this issue concerns us; I believe it reflects our hunger for God's World.

Incidentally, that was an excellent description of depression and its effects on the life of a believer!

 

[Hope of Glory]

the Oklahoma Citizen I need to be; etc.

And you were doint so well up until this point...

You are quite correct that "discipline" is correct. Both in yourself and able to help others instill it in themselves.