The Bible Multiplies Because God’s Word Must Be Understood

Most Christians today read their Bibles in translation. That’s not a modern concession it’s been true for most of church history. Very few believers know the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek. So wherever the gospel has gone, it’s gone in translation. In fact, no other book in history has been translated into more languages than the Bible. It’s God’s Word meant for every people, tribe, and tongue.

English readers, in particular, have been blessed with an abundance of translations. From Wycliffe’s first full English Bible in the 1300s to the modern ESV, NIV, and CSB, the English-speaking world has seen the Bible multiply. One Bible website alone offers over sixty English versions. While this may seem excessive, it’s actually evidence of God’s desire to be understood clearly, rightly, and in every generation.

But what drives this multiplication of translations? Why do we have so many? And what should we think about them?

1. Theology Has Always Fueled Translation

From the earliest centuries, theological convictions have shaped Bible translation. John Wycliffe translated the Scriptures into English because he believed every person deserved to hear from God in their own language. William Tyndale famously said he would make sure that even a plowboy knew more of the Scriptures than the pope. Such statements weren’t just bold they were dangerous. Translation was controversial precisely because people understood how powerful God’s Word could be when made plain.

Isaiah 7:14 illustrates the theological stakes. The Hebrew term ’almah was translated as “virgin” in the Septuagint a reading that Matthew picks up in his Gospel. But centuries later, Jewish translators opted for a Greek word meaning simply “young woman,” sparking accusations of theological revision. That pattern has continued into modern times. The RSV’s rendering of “young woman” in 1952 created backlash, prompting the creation of alternatives like the NASB and ESV, both of which returned to “virgin.” From the start, Bible translation has never been neutral it has always carried theological weight.

2. Translation Philosophy Shapes Every Word

Every Bible version has a translation philosophy how close it sticks to the original wording and how much it tries to communicate the meaning in modern terms. Some aim for word-for-word accuracy, like the NASB. Others lean into thought-for-thought clarity, like the NLT. The CSB calls its method “optimal equivalence,” trying to balance both.

But translation isn’t just about choosing the right words. It’s about tone, style, idioms, and cultural resonance. A phrase that makes perfect sense in ancient Hebrew may need explanation in 21st-century English. That’s why some translations add helpful clarifications, like the NLT’s parenthetical note that “Immanuel” means “God is with us.” That’s not dumbing it down it’s honoring the reader.

3. New Manuscript Discoveries Require Revisions

Since the days of Tyndale, countless ancient manuscripts have been uncovered. Chief among them are the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 20th century. These documents offer crucial insights into the biblical text, especially the Old Testament. At times, they help resolve uncertainties or clarify obscure passages.

For instance, 1 Samuel 10 in the NRSV Updated Edition includes a passage from the Dead Sea Scrolls that the ESV omits, simply because their committees made different textual decisions. As new discoveries are made and existing ones better understood, translators must adjust. Faithfulness demands accuracy, and accuracy depends on the best sources available.

4. New Audiences Require New Approaches

The Bible must not only be accurate it must also be accessible. That’s why we have translations like the NIrV, designed for children, second-language learners, or those with reading challenges. Isaiah 7:14 in the NIrV is broken into simpler sentences. Psalm 23 in the NIrV keeps the beauty of the shepherd image but uses shorter phrases and easier vocabulary.

These versions aren’t inferior they’re incarnational. They meet readers where they are. In a globalized, digitally connected world, English is spoken in more countries than ever before. Each reader brings different needs, and new translations seek to honor those differences.

5. Financial Realities Play a Role

We would be naive to overlook the economics. Bible publishing is costly, and maintaining a translation involves ongoing work. In the U.S. alone, Bible sales exceed $500 million annually, and publishers know that a proprietary translation can drive both Bible and study resource sales.

But there’s a redemptive angle here too. Some publishers use the profits from English Bibles to fund translation efforts in languages that still have none. As of early 2024, there are over 1,500 languages with active translation projects underway. The multiplication of English Bibles can help fuel a global harvest.

So, Which Translation Is Best?

The real question is not which version is best in the abstract it’s which is best for you, right now. A pastor may benefit from a more literal version to aid in sermon preparation. A new believer may find the NLT or NIrV more readable. A church might choose a translation with poetic beauty and doctrinal clarity for public worship.

Thankfully, you don’t have to pick just one. Using multiple translations can deepen your understanding, refresh your perspective, and help you see God’s Word anew.

A Word to Be Thankful For

In Acts 12:24, we read, “But the word of God increased and multiplied.” What began in one language Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek has now spread across the world in thousands of tongues. The explosion of English Bibles is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be stewarded. It’s a testimony to a God who wants to be known.

Every translation, every footnote, every phrase is a reminder: our God speaks. And He desires that all would hear.

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