Beginners Need Bible Translations With Them in Mind

Every specialist must read and understand the manual of one’s trade. It is the same with believers. They must read and understand the manual that guides their lives. It is an understatement to say the King James Version of the Bible, for decades the Bible of choice, is one of the most difficult to understand. The “thees” and “thous” alone are a singular trap to clarity. And the bottom line is that the goal is understanding the scriptures rather than giving up out of frustration.

Thankfully, in recent years, many newer versions of the Bible have been created through years of study and collaboration of scholars who not only understand the struggle but also provide a truer version of the original. For example, Romans 4:4-5

‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭King James Version (KJV): “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭New International Version (NIV): “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭English Standard Version (ESV): “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭The Message (MSG): “If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.”

Start With the NIV

Bryan Beverly is an ordained deacon who’s taught the Bible since 1983 and suggests, first of all, “that new believers take it slow and easy for at least a year with the NIV and just focus on maturing in Christ (and not get caught up in the competition to be “deep;” just read the Bible to become familiar with Christ.”

Beverly recommends the NIV because “it has a good balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought textual renderings. Moreover, it is manageable for new believers across ages and stages of life — children, youth and adults.”

Beverly also says it is assumed that:

• a new believer also has some type of guide for reading the bible;
• has been oriented on the difference between reading texts for personal devotion versus knowing the texts well enough to lead someone else to Christ, teach, or preach;
• has someone in the home, community, or in the church available to discuss what has been read (like Philip the Ethiopian eunuch on his chariot in Acts 8: 26-40).

The Creators Classroom suggested choosing “Bibles that remain very close to the original manuscripts and don’t water down Christian beliefs, yet are fairly easy to read are the ones that use thought-for-thought translation or phrase-by-phrase.” It recommends:

1. New International Version Bible (NIV)
2. God’s Word Translation (GWT)
3. Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4. New Living Translation (NLT)

Easy Reading and Simplicity

Carla Debnam, executive director, The Renaissance Center, suggested the New Living Translation and the Contemporary English Version for easy reading and understanding.

Rev. Clarinda Burston-White, pastor of Miracle Church, says she loves the “English Standard Version because of its simplicity without losing the effectiveness and relativity of the scripture. A new Christian can easily understand, identify and apply what they just read to their daily lives.”

Bishop Robbin Blackwell, an executive and leadership coach, interjected the need for translations in their native tongue for new believers in this country, but for English speakers, she offered the NLT or the ESV as did Bishop Antoine McClurkin, pastor of The Hill. Rev. Gregory Perkins, pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, is partial to the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

The Right Bible for You

Asking several pastors and leaders on Facebook yielded the following responses. Some like Larry Owens say they’re partial to the KJV because “I was raised on this version and I like the language and wording of the scriptures.”

Others like Dr. Toni Boulware Stackhouse prefer the KJV “because we all should know that version, but keep The Message and the Amplified in the mix for more understanding.” Rev. Zelda Childs recommends the NIV as the most literal and close to our language today with all the known interpretations.

Judy Allen introduced a new version: “The Voice Bible which I recommend plus The Message.” Paul McLemore Jr. suggested the New American Standard version because “It’s the most accurate translation wise.” And Barbara J. Finney-El and Joyce Ashford suggested the Life Application Bible.

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