Dear friends,

Many people ask . . . “What’s the best Bible translation?”

Before I disclose my three favorite translations, I must make a qualifying statement:

I don’t believe there is a single, best translation; but instead, there’s a preferred attitude of heart in approaching the Scriptures.

Whatever translation you read or refer to, I highly recommend that you carefully read:  

Hope for All, pages 128-129 with the endnotes, titled: “Bible Interpretation.” In this short section, I discuss 12 points that might help you better understand difficult passages—by difficult, I mean those which on the surface may seem to conflict with God’s infinite love and mercy for all people.

I encourage you to review these pages from time to time. Of course you’ll benefit most from this section if you will first read and understand all ten Anchors of Hope which precede them.

As for me, the main translation I use is the New King James Version and I do so for several practical reasons, not because I consider it more accurate than others. The NKJV provides alternative Greek manuscript variants in footnotes which I value. And since I’ve grown familiar with it over time (having memorized numerous passages), it facilitates quoting Scripture when writing and speaking. As well, familiarity with this popular translation helps me quickly locate specific verses in a concordance which is very helpful to me.

As for Biblical accuracy, these are my preferred New Testament translations: 

1. The New Testament by Jonathan Mitchell (JMT), subtitled: God’s Message of Goodness, Ease and Well-Being Which Brings God’s Gifts of His Spirit, His Life, His Grace, His Power, His Fairness, His Peace and His Love. Expanded, Amplified, Multiple Renderings. Now don’t try to say all that in one breath!

This contemporary New Testament translation includes the various possibilities hidden in the Greek text not evident to English-only readers. It lays out most of the grammatical and textual options or possibilities (which only Greek readers can see) without limiting the number of English words needed to convey the meaning of the Greek text. The treasure of this translation for me is that it encourages and facilitates dependency on the Holy Spirit to shed light on the meaning of a particular passage. I know of no other translation that offers this feature.

Furthermore, I’m privileged to have come to know Jonathan personally. He has been so gracious to answer (by email and by phone) numerous questions I have had with the text. He does so thoroughly and humbly. He has made it clear that his priority has always been to remain faithful to the text even if it conflicts with his personal views. This translation is available on Amazon as an E-book or Paperback (650 pages, 8.3 x 11 inches).

2. The Concordant Literal Translation by Concordant Publishing Concern. This work consistently links one English word to each Greek word enabling the Bible reader to more accurately compare one passage with another. In this way, one can develop a natural sense for a word’s meaning. See Amazon.

3. The New Testament: A Translation, by David Bentley Hart. (1)

This is a recent translation I have started referencing since December, 2017. See Hart’s bio below. He explains on pages 537-548 why two Greek terms frequently used to support endless punishment, actually affirm the contrary.  See author and theologian Brad Jersak’s insightful review of this New Testament here: www.HopeForAllFellowship.com/NTReview

It’s reassuring to know that the translators of these three N.T. versions are not biased by a belief in endless punishment.

Among other translations I appreciate are Young’s Literal Translation, The Source New Testament, The Apostolic Bible Polyglot (of the Greek Septuagint), Barclay’s Daily Study Bible Series with commentary, Eight Translation New Testament by Tyndale House (2) and the online Blueletterbible.org study resource.

Note: we do not need to be scholars to compare translations!

“Be diligent rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

David Bentley Hart Bio:

D.B.H. was previously a professor at the Christian Studies Center and held the visiting Robert J.

Randall Chair in Christian Culture at Providence College and visiting Danforth Chair in Theological Studies at St. Louis University; he was also a fellow at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Advanced Study. He has taught at the University of VA, the University of St. Thomas, Duke Divinity School and Loyola College. He is the author of numerous books, including: Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and its Fashionable Enemies (2009) and The Beauty of the Infinite: The Aesthetics of Christian Truth (2003). Hart earned his B.A. from the University of Maryland, M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge, and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. www.berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/people/davidbentleyhart

“God Is Love” 1 Jn 4:8, 16  “Love Never Fails”  1 Cor 13:8

May you grow in love, joy and peace in God’s unfailing, unending love for you and for all people.

I would love to hear from you!

Gerry Beauchemin

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Contact
Hope For All Fellowship
Email: [email protected]
(956) 280-1708 
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References:

(1) Hart, David Bentley. The New Testament: A Translation. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017

(2) Published 1977. https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Translation-Testament-Tyndale-House/dp/0842346902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535058027&sr=8-1&keywords=Eight+Translation+New+Testament