Understanding Bible Translations: Is There a Difference?
Which Bible translation is best? Learn the differences between word-for-word and thought-for-thought versions—and why God's Word still transforms lives today.
Hebrews 4:12-13
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Which Bible translation should I use?
Every translation has its own particular style. Because the Greek language of the original New Testament and the Hebrew language of the original Old Testament use different sentence and grammar structures, scholars' translations can vary slightly. There are two basic ends of the spectrum when it comes to translation.
First, there is the word-for-word translation method. In this process, great diligence is taken to get the precise meaning of the original text. While sometimes these translations can appear choppier in sentence structure, they are very accurate and extremely helpful in Bible study. Examples of some of these translations include the New American Standard Bible, the King James Bible, the Interlinear Bible, the Amplified Bible, and several others.
Second, other scholars lean more towards a thought-for-thought translation. These tend to focus on making the text very readable and fluid. They are generally still very accurate but may not provide as much depth of meaning as other, more literal translations would. Examples of thought-for-thought translations include versions like the New International Version, the Living Bible, and numerous others.
My personal favorites are the Christian Standard Bible and the English Standard Version. I have found they do a great job of being literal in message while smooth in translation, although I’ve chosen to use the CSB for this devotional.
Hebrews 4:12-13 says,
12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | Lord, thank you that your word is active. Thank you, that it decerns my thoughts and intentions. It shines a spotlight on my heart and reveals my true motives. Thank you for this power.
Release | I give you areas of pride and insecurity in my life. I surrender those ways I would like to live life on my terms and not conformed to your image.
Ask | May your Scripture conform my life to yours today. Show me the areas where I am not living like Christ.
Yield | When I go astray, pull me back to your Word. “Astonish me anew.”[1]
A Challenge to Act Like Christ
The power of God’s Word is its ability to conform us to the image of Christ. In some Christian circles, there is sometimes the desire to detach the Word of God from what it means to be Christlike. And the result is we conform God to our image rather than conforming our lives to His.
