“The original language of the Bible defines this particular word with several various ways of translating it.” I often say something similar in these articles. Some readers may not know what I mean by the original language so I’m taking this week’s Sustaining Word to explain.
Moses, David, Ezra, and the other authors of the Old Testament recorded in the Hebrew language with a few passages in the Aramaic what the Lord inspired them to write. The Apostles wrote the New Testament entirely in Koine Greek, which was the common language of the people in the first century. Politicians and aristocrats conversed in Classical Greek a more formal language among the educated. For hundreds of years Bible scholars wondered if Koine was a divine language because outside the manuscripts of the Bible, no one had ever discovered any other documents in Koine Greek. After years of digging, an archeologist finally broke into an ancient tomb hoping to discover a priceless artifact. However, inside the tomb he found only a stuffed crocodile. He became so angry he kicked it breaking it open and small pieces of writing material flew out. They were receipts and short notes. Instead of disappointment for his find, it became a significant discovery in relation to language because the small parchments were all written in Koine Greek. This proved it was the language used by the common people of the first century. Note the Holy Spirit chose to record the life of Christ and the early church in the language of the common people of the time.
In my first semester of Greek in college, the professor explained that knowing Greek or Hebrew did not change the content of Biblical doctrine; rather it brought a richer understanding. He compared it to having two TVs in the same room, one black and white and the other color. Both displayed the same picture, but the color TV brought a more vivid image. This past week while visiting my son this illustration took on another dimension as I watched his HD digital television—same picture as my old color TV at home, but wow, what a picture. I saw details I had never noticed. Today with the study tools available via books, media, and computers, every student of the Word can move from black and white to HD color.
Anyone who speaks more than one language understands that translating a sentence is not simply a process of taking a word, and converting it to an equivalent word in another language and doing the same for each word. Translation involves interpretation. My wife and I learned words in Bemba for which there are no English equivalents. Hebrew and Greek have words that have no direction translation into English. In order to grasps the meaning, a translator may need to explain it with several words. Consider this, how would you communicate snow to a tribe of people who had lived in the Amazon Jungle all their life? This clarifies the reason various versions read differently.
It would be great if every Christian could read the Bible in the original languages but this is impractical. Yet, unlimited study tools are available by which everyone can look up a definition in a Hebrew or Greek dictionary or compare a verse in a parallel Bible with several versions. Some might fear teachers are trying to change the meaning of the Bible by explaining what the original language said. Yes, any false teacher can distort the meaning of a verse by many means. But the aim of trustworthy teachers seeks to provide the most accurate understanding of God’s Word. The greatest insult I ever received as a Bible teacher came from an individual who demanded that I never again tell them what the original language said. Typically, people like this hang on to incorrect beliefs to such a point they fear any teaching that might challenge them.
Paul told Timothy, Study to shew thyself approved unto God (2 Tim 2:15 KJV). NASV translates it, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God. The original word for ‘study’ or ‘diligent’ means use speed, make effort, be diligent, or study. Both translations are correct. Yet, knowing this definition brings insight and explains it is not just a casual reading; it means to study with effort and diligence. The Holy Spirit desires that all believers gain the clearest understanding possible of the Bible. Paul also gives the reason in the latter half of this verse, accurately handling the word of truth. This also indicated a person could use the word inaccurately.
You can serve God faithfully and never do any more than read the Bible. We can watch the daily news on a black and white TV, yet how much more detail we get with a color or a HD television. I look for the clearest meaning from the original language when I study before I write and I may refer to what the original Hebrew and Greek means hoping it brings more clarity to the reader.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Study to show yourself approved and utilize all the tools God has provided in our present age.