‘How we possibly believe the Bible is true when there are so many

translations?’

2 Timothy 3:16

Why so many translations?

Which one is right?

"Because the Bible is the Word of God, we should read it like no other book; but, because it is the word of man, we should read it like every other book” John Stott

1. Why do Christians say that the Bible is God’s word?– Primarily because that’s what it says it is! 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:20

Why so many translations? Which one is right?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness …’

2 Timothy 3:16

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.’

2 Peter 1:20-21

1. Why do Christians say that the Bible is God’s word?– Primarily because that’s what it says it is! 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:20– ‘Inerrant’ – free from error– ‘Infallible’ - incapable of being wrong– Stacks up historically and factually

Why so many translations? Which one is right?

2. ‘Why so many versions’ And which one is best?– Oldest copies are in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic and all

in fragments! – There are two parts to the translation process: • Sorting out the copy fragments to compile as complete,

accurate text as possible. • Translating the text accurately and meaningfully into English

Why so many translations? Which one is right?

• 1380’s John Wycliffe translated Latin – English• 1526 William Tyndale translated Greek NT into English• 1535 First whole Bible translated into English• 1611 King James authorised a completely new

translation, from Greek.‘King James Authorised Bible’ - standard for English speaking

world for 350yrs

Two problems with AV now:• It’s language has become is archaic • More and older manuscripts have been discovered

Why so many translations? Which one is right?

Translators aim for two things:– accuracy – readability

Why so many translations? Which one is right?