Pros & Cons of Popular Modern English Bible Translations

4/13/2014

2 Comments

English Standard Version (ESV)

Pros:

It is largely based off the works of the KJV translators so may be more likely to be a benefit to people who enjoy the KJV Bible.
It is easy to understand, flows nicely, and is good for study.
It is aimed at a 7th grade reading level.
Fairly literal but still understandable.
Maintains many of the theological terms used in older translations.

Cons:

Its language can be more archaic in some places than other modern translations.
It is not ideal for public reading.
Many of its supporters have overstated its benefits.
Some of the artistic beauty of other translations are lost.
Some of its footnotes display a certain theological leaning.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Pros:

It strives for readability.
The translators goal was "optimal equivalence" meaning they wanted the translation to be literal and readable (this is true for most all modern translations).
It maintains a traditional theological vocabulary.
It has an extensive amount of footnotes to help for clarity.

Cons:

It doesn't have the benefit of years of use and scrutiny
Some claim it is a too literal in its interpretation (however, there are others that argue it is too loose in its interpretation)
An argument could be made that naming a translation after a person or organization is not a good idea.
Some of the footnotes display a leaning towards certain theological systems.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Pros:

It is the most literal translation of all the modern translations.
Archaic "thees" and "thous" were updated to modern English (this is true of all the modern translations).
The translators researched the oldest and best Greek manuscripts and updated some passages.

Cons:

What it gains in literal translation it loses in readability.
Tends to be stilted and wooden in its English throughout.
Although the translators strived to be literal they still had to make editorial decisions since many Greek and Hebrew vocab words have multiple meanings.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Pros:

Maintains much of the work of the KJV translators.
Tends to resonate more with people who are familiar with the KJV text.
It does not strive for gender-inclusive pronouns but sticks to the Greek renderings (could be said of several of these translations).

Cons:

It uses many archaic expressions.
It uses the TR as its text base (this could be a pro depending on your position).
Loses some accuracy of the text.

New INternational Version (NIV)

Pros:

It is very readable.
It is the most widely read and used modern translation.
Aimed at a young reading audience and is easily understood by almost anyone.

Cons:

In seeking to be readable the translators sometimes sacrificed accuracy.
Tends to dive into interpreting theologically rather than translating literally.
This is more of a phrase-for-phrase translation than a word-for-word translation.
The use of gender-inclusive pronouns can be misinterpreted in some passages.

* This list of pros and cons is not intended to come down in favor or disfavor of any of these translations. This is simply a tool to help you intelligently make a decision on your own about which modern translation you will choose to use most often.

Posted by Caleb

2 Comments

Adam Golightly link

4/14/2021 11:44:37 am

My aunt has been thinking about getting a better translation for her bible because she would really like to learn more about it. She would really like to get the translation from a professional to make sure that she understands more about it. I'll be sure to tell her that she can get one with the right kind of passages, and manuscripts because the new American standard bible translators have done more research.

Adrian Muir

12/11/2022 02:46:57 pm

The advantage of NKJV (and KJV) is that each word is generally translated to give the broader meaning possible. For example, NKJV will use the word "way" where NASB uses the word "road" in the same place.

The more literal NASB is more literal in the sense that it is more specific to a single definition of many words. However, NASB may be well suited to the more analytical mind.

The NIV, while it is easy to read and memorize, focusses on subjective emotional perception of God's commands, (which is often how children tend to think), but plays down the authoritative nature of God's directions (which is how parents tend to think). In other words, it focusses on the personal benefits of believing, rather than the value of trust in authority, which is no doubt why it would appeal to children especially.

Depending on the year of publishing versions such as NIV can vary considerably, however the latest version that I'm aware of has improved in some important ways. The translation of Ephesians 2:15 is more accurate than earlier editions, for example, while KJV gives a more exact rendering of this verse without trying to over-simplify the meaning, like many modern versions do. Whereas many modern versions are more biased toward dispensational theology and therefore paint a view of God as being or expressing a different nature or aspect of himself at different ages of history, but this depends on the individuals perspective of who has changed - God or the people?

Many modern versions use as a basis for translation the texts translated through pagan cultures, and not just the original greek and hebrew (compare NASB with KJV for example). The diversity of sources shows why there can be quite a difference from one Bible version to another. Bibles based on the KJV tend to be more consistent to the original languages, whereas other Bibles show that there is more than one way to translate the scriptures in order to reveal different shades of meaning that, otherwise might be lost or missed. Other versions (such as the Amplified) try to bring in the best of both worlds, which is a difficult task to fulfil.

The stories of faith in all Bibles will help us to navigate the uncertainties of life and also the difficult questions which we may have about scriptural translations and interpretation. To live out that life of faith and trust in God is the first step to knowing what God's word is really telling us.