Translation Type
What Bible should I choose? There are many versions of the Bible to choose from, especially in the English language. If you walk into a Christian bookstore, you might be a little overwhelmed.
There is also a consensus on how translations are categorized, which includes 3 types. Please note this visual is just to help you to understand how translations are roughly categorized.
Word-for-Word Translations (Formal) - Formal translations are literal translations that have been translated word-for-word from the original texts.
Thought-for-Thought Translations (Dynamic) - Dynamic translations are translated phrase by phrase and use contemporary language for ease of reading.
Paraphrase Translations - Paraphrase translations use modern language and try to capture the thought or meaning behind the original text.
Helpful Tips On Picking A Translation
Take some time to start looking into which Bible would be best for you specifically.
Take one verse, for example, like Matthew 11:28, and read it in several different translations. Try using www.biblegateway.com to explore different translations of the Bible and see what best suits your specific preference.
Not only are there many versions/translations, but there are different themes. For example, some themes you might see are men's, women's, devotional, sports, theological, archaeological, etc. It is encouraged to get some type of "study Bible" (regardless of the theme) because it will help you to understand deeper theological insights in your reading.
How Was The Bible Formed, And Can I Trust It?
Can I trust it? Absolutely! One of the biggest questions I get from any new believer is whether they can trust the Bible. I like to help them understand how it was formed to shed light on how we can trust it. First, you will see a comparison chart showing the number of manuscript copies of ancient works compared to the New Testament. Many ask, "How can we be sure the Bible wasn't changed over the years?" This chart shows that there are 5,795 New Testament manuscripts (Clay Jones, "The Bibliographical Test Updated," equip.org, 2012), giving us strong evidence for why we can trust its preservation. They use these manuscripts to confirm what we have today. After you look at the chart, we go through a very brief snapshot of the Old and New Testament and some additional helpful resources.
A Comparison of Ancient Works with the New Testament
Numbers in parentheses are the previously reported dates.
| Author | Work | Date Written | Earliest MSS | Time Gap | Old # | New |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer | Iliad | 800 BC | c. 400 BC | 400 | 643 | 1,757 |
| Herodotus | History | 480-425 BC | 10th C | 1,350 | 8 | 109 |
| Sophocles | Plays | 496-406 BC | 3rd C BC | 100-200 | 100 | 193 |
| Plato | Tetralogies | 400 BC | 895 | 1,300 | 7 | 210 |
| Caesar | Gallic Wars | 100-44 BC | 9th C | 950 | 10 | 251 |
| Livy | History of Rome | 59 BC-AD 17 | Early 5th C | 400 | 1 Partial, 19 copies | 150 |
| Tacitus | Annals | AD 100 | 1st half: 850, 2nd: 1050 (AD 1100) | 750-950 | 20 | 2 + 31 15th C |
| Pliny, the Elder | Natural History | AD 49-79 | 5th C fragment: 1; Rem. 14-15th C | 400 (750) | 7 | 200 |
| Thucydides | History | 460-400 BC | 3rd C BC (AD 900) | 200 (1,350) | 8 | 96 |
| Demosthenes | Speeches | 300 BC | Some fragments from 1 C. BC. (AD 1100) | 1,100+ (1,400) | 200 | 340 |
| New Testament | - | AD 50-100 | AD 130 (or less) | 40 | 5,366 | 5,795 |