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Does It Matter Which Bible We Use?

Many like the English Standard Version (ESV) because of its focus on giving a strict word-for-word translation. I won’t get into accuracy arguments, but I find it a bit wooden and bereft of literary flourish. Also, the best translating does not always bind itself to strict word-for-word translation, particularly when the languages themselves are quite different from one another.

Of course, the most stunning achievement in recent years may be The Message.

Yes, it is a paraphrase, and some are averse to paraphrases, but I think it depends on the skill and knowledge of the one doing the paraphrasing. Eugene Peterson, the writer behind The Message, is virtually without parallel in bringing the scholarship and literary ability needed to such a project. Like many, I found reading The Message so fresh and engaging it was like reading the Bible for the first time.

But, as much as I enjoy The Message, I would say to read paraphrases for your personal enrichment, but do not use them for serious study.

While I would argue that those who preach and teach should feel free to use a good paraphrase in relaying Scripture, it should only be after they have done the due diligence of ensuring that the paraphrase being used is true to what an actual translation would provide. Further, that the paraphrase actually conveys the text better in light of the language and understanding of the audience at hand. 

All to say, continually updating our translations is a good thing, and those who are attempting to put Scripture forward in today’s culture should make ample use of them. Because we know what happens when Scripture is made clear:

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12, NLT).

But first, we have to get the “clear” part.