Bible versions-Is there only one?

Yes there is a timeline of Bibles and all influences the next. But that is the point. I know some people who believe the KJV is the closest to the original language just because they believe it is the oldest English translation we have.

Which is easily proven false.

There are many translations and revised versions of Bible’s(NIV, Amplified, King James, Living Translation, AS). Did any of these lose essential Biblical meanings and teachings via the translation process? If so, which ones? If true, should those versions be avoided by Believers?

The oldest manuscripts to date found in the ESV, NET, NLT, prove valuable in showing the deity of Christ. They also use Granville Sharp's Rule which clarifies Christ's deity. I use the KJV but assist it with these and a few more.

Sample: “So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.” Jude 5 (NLT)

If they think it’s the oldest English version they haven’t done any research on it, a 30 second search can find that out, There was a incomplete version in 1400’s which Tyndale continued with it and there’s the Wycliffe from the 1300’s though translated manuscripts not a single book. and the Coverdale was out there also.

It really just comes down to the Hebrew/Greek scholars who translate it to English. Because in less you are a Hebrew/Greek scholar then us average folks have to trust their translations. Only option we have is cross examination from other translators and those who can interpret the ancient words on the scrolls.

I say no.

Because we do not have the original manuscripts to 100% be sure. But we have enough copies and fragments to be already 98% sure of what the originals had to say. 2% are places like the end of Mark or some areas where commas was added when in the scrolls there where no chapters, verse numbers or commas. All of those was put in later.

With these copies and fragments we can use textual criticism to compare and contrast to see what was the most common transcription over the years. And this is what Greek and Hebrew scholars translate to English. In translation to English according to the translator must try to use the best English word. Hebrew and Greek didn't have as many words as English so one word like love would have multiple interpretations in Hebrew or Greek where as love in English we have words to describe the different types of love.

This is how we get different translations. The translators prefer 1 English word to another. Usually they are so similar it doesn't make much of a difference. Sometimes it may change the whole meaning.

Also some Bible's are produced by certain groups with certain doctrines. So some words will be different to better convert to their doctrine.


Even using the Early Church fathers writing's helps to determine scripture due to their many writings that contain scripture.

So really it is always a good habit when studying to compare translations and if something still dont seem right then look up the Hebrew/Greek to English translation.

My personal opinion is most translations are not dangerous or a threat to accuracy. Rarely will I find a verse where the word used is completely wrong. I mostly use the NIV.

There was a guy named James Murdoch 1800’s translated the Syriac Peshitta into English some the words he uses is quite fascinating he was quite the intelligent person. I like reading it and learning some of the older big words not used anymore lol.

You are correct. There are enough codexes to use in comparison with each other to eliminate any errors that may have occurred.

When the topic of “Lost in translation” is brought up, that mythology used to show how as you said the texts are 98% accurate. I would say the Bible is pretty sound.


I will have to look into that. Another interesting collection of Greek codexes is the Chester Beatty Papyri. If you haven’t heard it if you should check it out.

Hardly a few Christians are Hebrew or Greek scholars

My personal opinion is most translations are not dangerous or a threat to accuracy. Rarely will I find a verse where the word used is completely wrong. I mostly use the NIV.

Accessible in every language except modern English by your KJVO reckoning though.

Tyndale paid a hefty price for his English translation in 1536

I put a sad face on your post because I know it cost him his life

Hi . I had not looked at that translation (NLT)

I use the King James and sometimes the Youngs literal or the Easy To Read .I thought the YLT was the only one that seemed to not to destroy the meaning of the word "rest" sabbath and turn it into a time sensitive word. So that men could fight over a day a time period and lose the principle in the process. . . . Rest

But then the NLT follows after the Youngs Literal following the same kind of pattern. When the word sabbath comes up in Luke they make the same error and say twice a week .Rather than twice of the Sabbath . The NlT changes the word 19 times in the new testament .And would seem to destroy the use of the word sabbath again making it into a time sensitive word week of first day of focusing on the day not the rest we have from the work .

From what I understand the Greek then did not use a word "week" to describe seven days . They used "seven days" .Not sure when they started to use the word "week" (in the Greek) "evdomád"

Rest sabbath "sávvato"

Luke 18:12(NLT)I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

No commandment to fast twice a week and give another tenth

Matthew 28 New Living Translation (NLT) Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

King James uses the word week as a time sensitive word.

Matthew 28:1 KJ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Young's Literal Translation....At the dawn, toward the first of the "new era" of sabbaths (plural)

Matthew 28 (YLT) And on the eve of the sabbaths, at the dawn, toward the first of the sabbaths, came Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre,

I put a sad face on your post because I know it cost him his life

Me too, that was quite sad that happen to him, he was trying to be helpful for those who only knew English

Unfortunately ungodly rulers of the day saw this as a threat to their dominance. I don’t care what label they put on themselves, evil is evil. Still continues to this day.

Yes, the Roman Catholic church has perpetrated many abuses, and continues to do so

It really just comes down to the Hebrew/Greek scholars who translate it to English.