Which Translation should I use?
I get asked this question regularly, “Which translation should I use?” Although I am not partial to any translation, I do have some words to say on this subject. There are many great English translations and the scholarship for these translations is amazing. We have common usage ones that are great like the NIV, we have super accurate less-well known ones like the NET Bible, we have the Living Bible, TEV, and many others.
The first thing I would say is comparing translations is key. I love to compare different translations because they vary in their translation styles and also in how they might interpret a particular Hebrew or Greek sentence. When we compare translations, we are able to see passages that scholars might disagree on the meaning. One version might choose words in such a way as to imply certain meaning and we will be able to notice in a different translation that there are other scholars who understand the text a different way. We have word-for-word translations and thought-for-thought translations and we have translations that try and stay in the middle.
A literal word-for-word translation would specifically look at the words instead of the purposed general meaning. They would translate the words specifically. They try to stay as close to the original word in the Hebrew or Greek text even if the meaning does not carry over into English. Whilst, a thought-for-thought translation would try and translate the phrase or intended meaning in the passage. The number one advice I would provide is try and stay in the middle AND compare translations. A good translation looks at the word, and the intended meaning of the passage.
For more information like this, or to understand how to study the Bible more accurately, I have made an e-course for you!!! Click here to learn more.
xoxo, Mikella
![I have seen post after post about Christians speaking in love. But, what about Christian’s listening?
[share and save to encourage others]
I still remember my counselor asking me if I listen just to listen or if I listen with a preconceived idea of the right answer?
To be completely honest, I have found myself to do the latter. Before she said that, I rarely listened with a blank mind and heart. Instead, I listened and interjected to lead someone to a conclusion. (Yikes! I hope it’s not just me that has done this)
So, let’s start by doing what this passage instructs us to do and let’s listen to the Word of God with a soft heart and an open mind. Are you seeing the text plainly?
“18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen.” (Luke 8:18)
This phrase jumped out at me. Consider how you listen. We have just been told the parable of the Sower where we hear how the Word of God (the seed) lands on 4 different types of soil.
For a moment, I want you to imagine yourself as each of the types of soil.
The Word is first snatched up by the devil (maybe this is distraction, time-management, or anything else that steals your time away from spending time in Gods presence)
Secondly, you receive the Word with joy but times of testing come and you no-longer ascribe to it.
Thirdly, life gets in the way-business pursuits, lifestyle, money, or pleasures take the place of time spent in his Word.
Lastly, you receive the Word of God-and you hear and understand. One translation says, “15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” HEAR the Word.
You produce a crop because you retain the information.
The hearing of the Word of God is so important. Are you going to the Word to HEAR what God has to say or are you studying it to back-up what you want to say? Let us learn in 2021 to be believers that speak truth in love, but also LISTEN to hear! #chasingsacred](https://www.chasingsacred.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)