Which translation sits best with you?

[JohnDB]

Just curious.

Which translation below sits best with you and your understanding of James 3:17?

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; ​

then peace-loving, ​

considerate, ​

submissive, ​

full of mercy and good fruit, ​

impartial and sincere.​

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure . . .​

then peaceable . . .​

and reasonable . . .​

and teachable.​

Filled with mercy . . .​

divine good production -​

without partiality . . .​

and without hypocrisy.​

​

​

Grace and peace, GeneZ​

Both work well for me....
But I understand the Jewish concept of Submission/teaching and considerate/reasonable.

In Jewish minds these things are the same thing and not separate from each other. Unlike modern Westernized thought which makes the distinction.

And we are reading ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN literature when discussing scriptures.

I really don't own a favorite translation. Because one cannot exist.

 

[JohnDB]

Just to tack on here....

To "fulfill" the scriptures of course means to live them out....but ALSO EQUALLY IMPORTANT was to make them understandable as to how to live to those around you.

And in this we say that Jesus FULFILLED the Law of Moses.

Ok....I'm done for the moment.

 

[Genez]

I really don't own a favorite translation. Because one cannot exist.

That is correct.
It takes someone able to soundly exegete the Scriptures to explain.

The listeners had no Bibles in their hands. They listened to the one teaching and would think for themselves.

But, the people teaching, and the listeners, would both know the Hebrew language, which was their native tongue.

And, the same holds true for when the NT was written in the Greek.

How many can teach today line upon line as a pastor-teacher?
James 3:1 tells us, only a few should try.

But, instead of a few good, clear thinking teachers?
What do we find today?

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great
number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
2 Timothy 4:3


Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3 that MANY today will be peddling what people crave/want to hear, rather than what they NEED to hear.
What they need to hear? Is correction with direction.

So it is being....

 

[Shepherd]

King James

 

[Genez]

King James

Only a certain kind of person would ever believe that its the perfect translation.
A person who likes to assume authority for himself without having the capacity to have real authority.

 

[GWH]

And when you check the Greek, then you will have to determine which of the Greek definitions fits best. No thanks. I do not want to be the final authority on what God has said.

John146 raises a good point: even if we had an inerrant translation, we would need an infallible interpretation, and the closest approximation requires a systematic methodology or seeking to harmonize all biblical teachings regarding a topic, such as perseverance--which few folks are interested in doing, perhaps because it requires too much work of study, so they settle for some degree of sufficient understanding.

 

[Magenta]

I believe that God has preserved his word in the English language through the KJV. You need to search, study, and figure it out.

I do not want to be the final authority on what God has said.

Sounds contradictory...

 

[John146]

Sounds contradictory...

I forfeit authority to the preserved words as found in the KJV. I’m pretty sure you knew what I meant.😉

 

[Magenta]

I forfeit authority to the preserved words as found in the KJV. I’m pretty sure you knew what I meant.😉

What you meant sounded contradictory to me. You think the KJV the only legitimate Bible there is, and you decided that.
I have seen many of the "proofs" put forth attempting to establish this against any rational argument that comes against it.

 

[Genez]

John146 raises a good point: even if we had an inerrant translation, we would need an infallible interpretation, and the closest approximation requires a systematic methodology or seeking to harmonize all biblical teachings regarding a topic, such as perseverance--which few folks are interested in doing, perhaps because it requires too much work of study, so they settle for some degree of sufficient understanding.

You want someone who God had diligently study eight hours a day?
Teaching in his church six nights a week?

While teaching a passage, he would often explain the Greek and Hebrew in such a manner that Greek and Hebrew students listened to him as a part of their study.

God can not provide? For what is needed to advance in our day?

If God wants those seeking to understand His Word better and better?
God will provide.

 

[GWH]

You want someone who God had diligently study eight hours a day?
Teaching in his church six nights a week?

While teaching a passage, he would often explain the Greek and Hebrew in such a manner that Greek and Hebrew students listened to him as a part of their study.

God can not provide? For what is needed to advance in our day?

If God wants those seeking to understand His Word better and better?
God will provide.

I think learning the best interpretation requires harmonizing all relevant Biblical teachings about a topic but it seems like most church goers prefer to spend the time singing, praying and being entertained by humorous sermons that are rather shallow regarding doing that perhaps because Bible study requires too much mental effort.

 

[Genez]

I think learning the best interpretation requires harmonizing all relevant Biblical teachings about a topic but it seems like most church goers prefer to spend the time singing, praying and being entertained by humorous sermons that are rather shallow regarding doing that perhaps because Bible study requires too much mental effort.

This pastor-teacher was invited to MIT by Christian students to give a conference. He was also invited by Christian students to give conferences at other universities and colleges, besides teaching his congregation, normally six nights a week...

He never advertised. He was learned of by word of mouth.
Never asked for money for his books nor his audio teachings.

Take a peek here: https://www.rbthieme.org/index.html#tabs-3

He taught accurate an interpretation, with very exacting translations.

He was recommended to me by a professor of ancient languages who taught a Bible college, who at another time was associated with Harvard. I was told he was involved with Harvard during WWll working as a translator for the war.