Are all Bibles the Same – As a General Rule, the Majority of Bibles say the same thing, the differences come in by translations and paraphrases. The Old Testament original was Hebrew. New Testament in Arabic and Greek. Translations are where the original text was translated into different languages. Also, some are translated into various grade understanding Levels – KJV – 12th Grade, NIV – 7th Grade Level
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Are all Bibles the Same? – Why So Many Different Bibles?
Do All Bibles Say the Same Thing? This is an interesting question, indeed. When Christians gather to study the Bible, each with their version, one is left to wonder if all Bibles say the same thing. The short answer is yes and no.
Most Bibles say the same thing only that they use different words and phrases, but the meaning remains the same. However, there are some Bibles that are different from most others and even include books not found in the regular ones. Let us now look at when Bibles say that same thing and when they don’t.
Bible is God’s Inspired Word
II Timothy 3: 16-17, All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works
God in the Old Testament, God in the New Testament spoke through men Inspired by him. They were recorded and written down for our instruction.
When Bibles say the Same Thing
Are all Bibles the Same? – Most Bible versions that Christians use say the same thing; the message they present is the same as other Bibles. If you go to a Bible website and query a verse in all versions, you will see the similarity in words and phrases. Most of the time there is no much difference. Look at John 3:16 in the Bible versions below.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. NLT
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. NKJV
here is a table outlining ten different versions of the Bible along with their primary differences:
Bible Version | Primary Differences |
---|---|
King James Version (KJV) | First published in 1611 and known for its formal, poetic language and significant influence on English literature. Uses traditional language (e.g., “thou,” “thee”). |
New King James Version (NKJV) | An update of the KJV that maintains much of its traditional language but modernizes archaic words. |
New International Version (NIV) | A popular modern English translation that aims to balance word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation, making it more easily understood. |
English Standard Version (ESV) | A relatively literal translation that’s intended to be both readable and accurate to the original texts. |
New Living Translation (NLT) | A thought-for-thought translation that emphasizes readability and clarity, making it suitable for modern readers and those new to the Bible. |
New American Standard Bible (NASB) | Known for its formal equivalence translation philosophy, it closely follows the original texts but can be more challenging to read. |
The Message (MSG) | A paraphrase version that uses contemporary language and idioms to capture the original spirit of the text, making it highly readable but less suitable for in-depth study. |
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) | An ecumenical translation respected in academic circles and used widely in many Christian denominations. |
Christian Standard Bible (CSB) | A relatively new translation that seeks to balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation, aiming for both accuracy and readability. |
Amplified Bible (AMP) | A translation that includes multiple meanings and nuances of the original text’s words, resulting in a longer, more detailed text. |
It’s worth noting that every version has its strengths and weaknesses, and the “best” version often depends on the reader’s needs, preferences, and the context in which it’s being used.
The three versions above may differ in some words but the message is the same. You will find that some Bibles have simpler language than others, and this is a big factor in how people select which version to use. Many times the different versions will give a different perspective of the same verse and this will increase your understanding of the passage of Scripture you are reading.
Written by David E. Pratte. biblestudylessons.com
The easiest way you can tell if all Bibles say the same thing is to go to a site like Bible Gateway, look up a Bible verse, and view it in all English translations. You will get a long list and as you read through each, you will tell whether the versions agree with each other or not. You can then make a decision on which Bible translation you will use going forward.
English Translations
There are over 450 Different English Translations.
World Language Translations
Over 7117 Different Languages in the World
Look At This Language Learning Sites Statistics
- English – 1.132 Million
- Mandarin – 1.117 Million
- Hindi – 615 Million
- Spanish – 534 Million
- French – 280 Million
- Arabic – 274 Million
- Bengali – 265 Million
- Russian – 258 Million
- Portuguese – 199 Million
- Indonesian – 170 Million
Today Complete Bible is Translated into 700 Different Languages ( Sept 2020)
- Full Bible – 700 Different Languages
- New Testament – Additional 1548 More Languages
- As of September 2020
Paraphrases
Paraphrases are very powerful, not in a word-by-word understanding of scripture, but the goal of most paraphrases is to take God’s word and make it as understandable and digestible as possible. One of the Ones I like looking at was the “Living Bible”
Are All the Bibles the Same?
How to Tell the Difference?Translation / Paraphrase
One of the best and easiest ways is to look at the Preface in the bible you are looking at. It will describe whether it is a translation or a paraphrase. many times they will explain how they developed that Bible.
Bible Commentaries
Bible Commentaries are great Study aids. many Great Biblical Scholars over the years have written, their thoughts on what the meaning and implications of scriptures mean. They are not inspired. But Great Men had devoted their lives to praying and studying God’s Word many times in the original languages it was written.
- Pulpit Commentary
- Barnes Notes
- Barclay Commentary
- Too Many to Count
Special Focus Bibles
- Woman’s Study
- Men’s Study
- Teen’s Study Bible
- Camouflaged Bible (Hunter’s, Fisher’ men)
- Chronological Bible
- Rainbow Bible
- Archaeological Bible
- Military Bibles
- Singles Bibles
- Parallel Bibles
- Hebrew / English, Greek / English
- Electronic PC Based / Cell Phone and Table Based
- Audio Bibles – Cassettes, DVD’s, Cell Phones
- Video – Bibles have been acted out by actors – using exact words from the Bible showing people, customs, lands, etc while Scripture is spoken.
These Bible have the same basic Bible translations, but they include in their notes and commentary having their focus in their titles.
Today we have electronic translations that give God’s Child a wealth of access to God’s Word, at the tips of you fingers.
When Bibles Don’t Say the Same Thing
Sadly, not all Bible translations say the same thing. I’m sure you have noted that some preachers gravitate toward a particular Bible version like the King James Version (KJV). This is because they have established that this particular version is the most accurate. Bible versions tend to differ on some verses, and when the differences are major and deviate from the message, it is proper to find the accurate one.
When I was Growing up, the King James Version (Translated in 1611) was the most used Bible Translation being used. Most Preachers, preached, read, memorized this translation. It was the one taken and dispersed throughout the English Speaking World. This was powerful because at one time, Great Britain, England were in most places in the world. So Followed English Bibles.
The King James Version was translated into the English Language in the 1600’s – some of the meanings of words have changed. Thee’s and Thou’s are not commonly used today. It is today rated at a 12th Grade level of understanding. Comparing that to the New International Version Translation is said to be at a 7th Grade Reading comprehension level.
Bibles Exploded as technology did key technology that exploded it are
- Hand Copied – Originally everything was copied by scribes – By Hand
- Printing Press
- Copying Technology
- Typewriters
- Word Processors
- Email / Internet / AI Translating into Languages
- Computers / Cell Phones
- The verses in this blog at a click can be translated into many languages. At the touch of your finger
Word Project is a site that has identified certain verses that mean one thing in the KJV Bible and another in the other versions. This kind of analysis will help you make a wise decision when buying or using a Bible version.
Always look for the Bible version that is the most accurate. An easy way is to find out what others have to say about the different versions after doing their research.
The danger of holding on to a Bible version that is not accurate is that you will misinterpret Scriptures and you will lose their meaning. Many people have taken action based on certain Bible verses only to realize they misinterpreted them and did not have the true meaning.
It may sound very enlightening to use several Bibles for your study, however, it may be counterproductive if some are inaccurate. The different versions are translated by a variety of organizations and each has its Bible scholars who give an interpretation of the source documents that contain the original Scriptures. Read further on what inspires these organizations to come up with Bible translations.
Books Known as the Apocrypha
The Apocrypha are books that are not included in the regular Bible because they are not compatible with the message of the gospel. However, some denominations use Bibles that include the apocryphal books (e.g. Tobit, Sirach, 1 & 2 Maccabees). There is a lot of information on the internet about these books and even excerpts that will show you the falsehood they bear.
Hebrews 13:9 tells us not to be carried away by various and strange doctrines and this means that we ought to be careful about the Bibles we choose to use. We are to test all things and to hold fast to what is good according to
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-21. 6 “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.”
You want to be sure that the word you store in your heart is the truth because God will only stand by His truth. The truth is what sets you free, but only if you know it. False doctrine purporting to be Scripture will not set you free but keep you in spiritual bondage.
How to Pick the Right Bible Version
The first step in choosing a Bible version is to pray about it because God will reveal to you which Bible translations are accurate and which ones are not. He will guide you to the right Bible and where to get information that will help you make the right choice.
After praying, do some research on Bible translations and why people prefer one version over the others. This way, you will get some reasons that will enlighten you.
General Reading
Depending on your need, if you just want general, easy to grasp scriptures, you might want to buy New International Version. This one reads easy and is very easy to understand. Perfect for adults down to teens for helping God’s Children comprehend God’s Instructions.
Deep Bible Study
If You would like deep study. I was always taught that the American Standard was the one of choice. I also bought bibles that allowed me to write heavy notes while I studied. When I preached I literally put my notes right in my bible. I could reference them quickly and they were there for years in the future. I tended not to change translations because they became so treasured to me because of all the hours of study that I had made notes in.
The translation I used for years and still have is my Revised Standard Bible. ( I believe it was a Holman RSV Student / Study Edition) I did not pick it for any scholarly reason, But I found it easy to read, because of the printing layout and it easily allowed me to add notes. I have recovered that bible 3 Times over the years. Not wanting to et it go I have asked Darlene to Bury me with it. Just a very Close Friend.
Hebrew Translations
For those who studied Hebrew, there are Hebrew Translations of the Old testament. There are also great translations on one side of the page in Hebrew, and the other is English.
Greek Translations
There are also Greek Translations, corner any Greek Teacher and check out the translation he uses it will be very enlightening to you. There are also side/by side/ translations of Greek and English, they are very Common.
God is always ready to give you wisdom when you lack it because He knows that your human wisdom is limited. Once you start doing your research on Bible versions, you will probably come across verses that people use in their everyday lives, and which are inaccurate and they use them without much thought. The last thing you want is to keep quoting a Bible verse that is from a wrong Bible translation.
Armed with the right information, you can then head to your local Christian bookstore and get your new Bible. If you happen to have a translation that is accurate and reliable, thank God for you are on the right track.
As you do your Bible study, only use versions that are accurate, and keep in mind that you don’t have to use all available versions. God will speak to you through the Bible version you choose to use. You don’t have to feel like you are missing out on anything by not consulting most Bible versions.
List of Bible Translations Available with Description
- King James Version (KJV): This is the most popular and widely used translation of the Bible in the English language. It is an updated version of William Tyndale’s 1611 translation, and it was commissioned by King James I in 1604. The KJV is a literal translation, meaning it attempts to keep the original language structure and wording as close to the original as possible.
- New International Version (NIV): This is the most popular contemporary English translation of the Bible. It is a dynamic equivalence translation, which means it attempts to convey the original meaning of the text as accurately as possible while using modern language. The NIV was first published in 1978 and has been revised several times since then.
- New American Standard Bible (NASB): This is a literal translation of the Bible, similar to the KJV, but updated to use more contemporary English. It was first published in 1971 and has undergone several revisions since then.
- English Standard Version (ESV): This is an updated version of the KJV that uses more contemporary English. It is a literal translation, meaning it attempts to keep the original language structure and wording as close to the original as possible. The ESV was first published in 2001 and has undergone several revisions since then.
- New Living Translation (NLT): This is a dynamic equivalence translation, which means it attempts to convey the original meaning of the text as accurately as possible while using modern language. The NLT was first published in 1996 and has been revised several times since then.
- The Message: This is a very different translation of the Bible, as it is not a literal translation but rather a “thought-for-thought” translation. The Message was first published in 1993 and has been revised several times since then.
- New King James Version (NKJV): This is an updated version of the KJV that uses more contemporary English. It is a literal translation, meaning it attempts to keep the original language structure and wording as close to the original as possible. The NKJV was first published in 1982 and has undergone several revisions since then.
Do all Bibles Say the Same Thing
Aspect | Explanation |
---|---|
Core Message | All Bibles, irrespective of the translation or version, maintain the core message of the scriptures: the story of God’s creation, humanity’s fall, God’s plan for redemption through Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life for believers. This message remains consistent across all versions of the Bible. |
Translation | Different Bibles may not say exactly the same thing due to variations in translation. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Translating these languages into English (or any other language) can be challenging because some words or phrases don’t have direct equivalents. As a result, different Bible translations may use different wording to convey the same concept. |
Interpretation | The way the original languages are interpreted can also lead to differences among Bible versions. Some versions prioritize a word-for-word translation (like the New American Standard Bible), while others opt for a thought-for-thought translation (like the New Living Translation). Still others aim to balance the two approaches (like the New International Version). These interpretive decisions can lead to variations in the text. |
Footnotes and Commentary | Some Bibles include footnotes, cross-references, and commentary to aid understanding. These additions can differ greatly between Bibles, reflecting the perspectives of the scholars who compiled each edition. However, these components are not part of the Biblical text itself. |
Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books | Some Bible versions, such as certain Catholic Bibles, include additional books known as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books. These are not found in most Protestant Bibles. This is one area where Bibles can differ significantly. |
In conclusion, while all Bibles convey the same core message, differences in translation, interpretation, and additional content can lead to variations among versions. However, these variations do not change the essential teachings of the Christian faith.
10 Most Popular Versions of the Bible
Sure, here’s a table of ten of the most popular English translations of the Bible as of my last training cut-off in September 2021:
Translation | Year of Publication | Translation Philosophy |
---|---|---|
King James Version (KJV) | 1611 | Formal equivalence: aims to retain the literal wording and grammar of the original languages. |
New International Version (NIV) | 1978 | Dynamic equivalence: aims to convey the thoughts and ideas of the source text using ‘natural’ English. |
New King James Version (NKJV) | 1982 | Formal equivalence: maintains much of the traditional interpretation of the KJV, but updates archaic language. |
English Standard Version (ESV) | 2001 | Essentially literal: aims to be as transparent as possible to the original text while still being readable in modern English. |
New Living Translation (NLT) | 1996 | Dynamic equivalence: focuses on translating the meaning of sentences, not just individual words. |
New American Standard Bible (NASB) | 1971 | Formal equivalence: well-regarded for its fidelity to the original languages. |
Christian Standard Bible (CSB) | 2017 | Optimal equivalence: seeks a balance between formal and dynamic equivalence where possible. |
Contemporary English Version (CEV) | 1995 | Dynamic equivalence: uses everyday language to convey the meaning of the text. |
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) | 1989 | Formal equivalence: updates the Revised Standard Version, balancing contemporary language with literal faithfulness. |
The Message (MSG) | 2002 | Paraphrase: retells the Bible in contemporary language with an emphasis on readability and conveying the spirit of the text. |
Remember that each of these translations reflects different philosophies and methodologies, and might be preferred by different readers for different reasons. It’s always a good idea to look at a few different translations when studying a particular passage.
Versions of the Bible in Chronological Order
Here’s a table of twenty English translations of the Bible in chronological order:
Translation | Year of Publication | Translation Philosophy |
---|---|---|
Wycliffe’s Bible | 1382-1395 | Very literal: translated from Latin Vulgate |
Tyndale’s Bible | 1526 | Very literal: First translation into English from the Hebrew and Greek texts |
The Coverdale Bible | 1535 | Mixed translation methods |
The Matthew Bible | 1537 | Mixed translation methods |
The Great Bible | 1539 | Very literal: first authorized version for the Church of England |
The Geneva Bible | 1560 | Very literal: first Bible to use verse numbers |
The Bishop’s Bible | 1568 | Very literal: revision of the Great Bible |
The Douay-Rheims Bible | 1582 (NT), 1609-1610 (OT) | Very literal: English translation of the Latin Vulgate |
King James Version (KJV) | 1611 | Formal equivalence: aims to retain the literal wording and grammar of the original languages |
Revised Version (RV) | 1885 | Formal equivalence: first major revision of the KJV |
American Standard Version (ASV) | 1901 | Formal equivalence: American version of the Revised Version |
Revised Standard Version (RSV) | 1952 | Formal equivalence: aimed to preserve all that is best in the English Bible as it has been known and used through the years |
New American Standard Bible (NASB) | 1971 | Formal equivalence: well-regarded for its fidelity to the original languages |
New International Version (NIV) | 1978 | Dynamic equivalence: aims to convey the thoughts and ideas of the source text using ‘natural’ English |
New King James Version (NKJV) | 1982 | Formal equivalence: maintains much of the traditional interpretation of the KJV, but updates archaic language |
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) | 1989 | Formal equivalence: updates the Revised Standard Version, balancing contemporary language with literal faithfulness |
English Standard Version (ESV) | 2001 | Essentially literal: aims to be as transparent as possible to the original text while still being readable in modern English |
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) | 2004 | Optimal equivalence: seeks a balance between formal and dynamic equivalence where possible |
New Living Translation (NLT) | 2004 (2nd Ed.) | Dynamic equivalence: focuses on translating the meaning of sentences, not just individual words |
Christian Standard Bible (CSB) | 2017 | Optimal equivalence: seeks a balance between formal and dynamic equivalence where possible |
Each of these translations reflects different philosophies and methodologies and might be preferred by different readers for different reasons. Some may be better for in-depth study, while others may be more suitable for daily reading or devotion. Are all Bibles the Same