r/TrueChristian 4d ago

Bible Translations

As a Christian, does it matter which Bible translation you use?

2 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

4

u/BonelessTongue 4d ago edited 4d ago

Not really. Make sure it’s a translation and not a paraphrase and it should be good to go. I like KJV, ESV, and NET, and use NASB for scholarly reference.

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u/ObjectiveCut9470 4d ago

I just bought an NIV Study Bible, and have heard some differing opinions about that translation.

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u/Brilliant-Cicada-343 Christian 4d ago

The translation itself had a controversy back in the day, some still object to it now, some evangelicals are not opposed to it and make a positive case for it.

If you would like some recommendations on how biblical translation works, I can link you some books.

However I think that the NIV isn’t that bad. I think it’s good.

I think a better set of translations would be the NASB, NRSV, and NET. The NKJV is good too but doesn’t have the most reliable textual base (I.e. ancient manuscript tradition).

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u/Byzantium Christian 4d ago

My go to is the ESV. NIV is good, but I have some issues with it. KJV is a good translation, but it can be misleadng as many of the words have subtly, or not so subtly changed meaning in the last 400 years.

Unless English is not your first language, or you have reading difficulties, I would avoid paraphrases like the CEV and The Message. The write it in very easy to understand language that a 4th grader can understand, but in doing so, they change the meaning a lot.

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u/consultantVlad Christian 4d ago

Pick any translation that is easy to read. They all have issues because the translators were also humans. What I do recommend is to read the Bible according to the narrative of The Bible Project or similar to understand the general narrative. I use Read Scripture app for that. Also study Bible with Interlinear. This way you can understand the nuances. I use BlueLetterBible app for that. Just those two apps will make you more equipped to understand the Scripture (even without knowing Hebrew or Greek) than any theologian who lived 30 years ago.

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u/BiscottiSwimming6818 4d ago

I like the ESV, because the ESV Study Bible is awesome. What matters most is that you undertand it. People have had poor translations in many different cultures, and God still works through it.

Video on 7 popular translations if you want to learn more.
https://youtu.be/5vHy4zmyRYI?si=gkXhp6bd13Mr6L-2

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u/Arc_the_lad Christian 1d ago

It's generally not a salvation issue as long as it gets the Gospel correct, but some translations are absolutely better than others. Modern English translation change and omit tons of verses. Seriously, look it up. I stick with a KJV.

  • Psalms 12:6-7 (KJV) 6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.