Bible
Versions Controversy: Yearly CommentsBible Versions Controversy
Books and eBooks by the Director
Comments
on Bible Versions
(2003)
Below are assorted, short e-mails I received in 2003 on the items listed at Bible Versions Controversy and my book Differences Between Bible Versions. The e-mailers’ comments are in black and enclosed in "greater than" and "lesser than" signs. My comments are in red.
>Subject: Bible versions
I am totally confused on this issue. I know that the Bible states in several places the God's words are everlasting. I also believe that we are expected to live according to God's word. Now where I am having the most difficulty is with Luke 4:4 which states the following.
KJV - And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
God's Word - Jesus answered him, "Scripture says, 'A person cannot live on bread alone'"
NASB - And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone,'"
Also Matthew 4:4 which states:
KJV - But he answered and said, It is written Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
God's Word - Jesus answered, "Scripture says, 'A man cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.'"
NASB - But he answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
As you can see all three are fairly close to being the same in Matthew 4:4, however, there is a big difference in Luke 4:4.
It seems to me if we are to live by every word of God, that God would provide a way for us to do that. I do not believe that God will ask us to do something that is impossible for us to do.
It seems to me that all of these different Bible versions make it almost impossible for anyone to know exactly what the words of God are. I do not believe that God intended that everyone would have to learn Hebrew and Greek in order to have every one of His words.
My question, then, is how do know which Bible version contains every single word of God. If we are truly to live by every word of God, it seems to me that there has to be one Bible that has every single word in it that God wants in it.
So please help me. Which Bible version contains each and every word that God intends us to live by.
It seems so far that all of these different versions cast a cloud of doubt over all the others. Because it appears that none of them reinforce any of the others. Some leave out certain words or entire verses. How can all of them be the Word of God.
I believe that the KJV has been around longer than any of the other English translation. I know also that it has stood the test of time. I know that many out there are claiming that it alone contains Words that God intended us to have, however, I do not know if this is true or not.
I still need to know which version has every word by which I am told by Jesus to live by.
Thank you for your help.
Don
12/2/03<
The question you are asking is exactly what I address in detail in my book Differences Between Bible Versions. I even quote Matthew 4:4. But in a nutshell, a literal translation like my ALT will give you the closest translation of the original Hebrew and Greek as is possible. And a formal equivalence version like the NKJV or NASB will be very close to the original texts, but won't give you "every word."
However, a dynamic equivalence version like "God's Word" will be far from giving you the actual words of God and thus is much less reliable.
For further details, please see my book.
>Subject: Your site on Bible versions
Just happened to stumble across your site looking for a comparison on the Ryrie Bible and the KJV. Your site is exceptional. It is now bookmarked in my Favorites folder and I hope to use it often.
Frank
11/21/03<
>Hey,
Just letting you know that I like the site!
God bless you,
Jeremiah
9/7/03<
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