WHY DO WE HAVE DIFFERENT BIBLE TRANSLATIONS?

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Have you ever wondered…

👉 Why are there so many Bible translations? There are 200+ English Bible translations in existence. 450 plus if you include just new testament ones9i8j

👉 Which one can I trust? KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV,NASB, CSB

👉 Has God really preserved His Word?

📌 Today we answer that question with confidence:

Not only do we have God’s Word—we can trust it.

I. THE FOUNDATION: GOD GAVE HIS WORD IN ORIGINAL LANGUAGES

A. The Bible Was Not Originally Written in English

Old Testament → primarily Hebrew (some Aramaic) 

New Testament → Koine (Koy-nay) Greek

Koine (Koy-nay) Greek was the everyday language spoken across territories influenced by Greek culture during the New Testament period, distinguishing it from the more formal Greek of classical literature.

The term “Koine” literally means “common,” referring to the widespread language that served as a shared means of communication throughout the Roman Empire.

👉 God inspired His Word perfectly, but He Choose to do so in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, not English.

B. The Need for Translation

As the Gospel spread and People spoke different languages

The Bible had to be translated so it could be understood

II. WHY DO WE HAVE DIFFERENT ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS?

A. Language Changes Over Time

Words shift in meaning, Grammar evolves

Example (KJV language):

1. Conversation

Philippians 1:27 KJV

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ”

Now:  Talking

Then: Conduct, manner of life

👉 Meaning: Live your life in a way worthy of the Gospel

Philippians 1:27 ESV

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”

Philippians 1:27 NIV

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

2. Let

2 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV

“only he who now letteth will let”

Now: To allow

Then: To hinder / restrain

👉 Meaning: Something is holding back evil

2 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV

“Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.”

2 Thessalonians 2:7 NIV

“the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”

3. Quick

Hebrews 4:12 KJV

“For the word of God is quick”

Now: Fast

Then: Alive

👉 Meaning: The Word of God is living

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

“For the word of God is living”

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

12 For the word of God is alive”

4. Peculiar

1 Peter 2:9 KJV

“a peculiar people”

Now: Strange or odd

Then: Belonging exclusively to God

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

“a people for his own possession”

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

“God’s special possession”

5. Suffer

Matthew 19:14 KJV

“Suffer little children”

Now: To endure pain

Then: Allow / permit

Matthew 19:14 ESV

14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me… ”

Matthew 19:14 NIV

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me… ”

6. Study

📖 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) “Study to shew thyself approved…”

Now: Read books

Then: Be diligent / make every effort

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved”

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved”

👉 Modern readers can misunderstand older English.

B. Discovery of More Manuscripts

.

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Early translators in 1600s had fewer manuscripts maybe 5-10

Over time, thousands more copies were discovered

📌 This allowed scholars to:

Compare readings

Identify copying variations

Increase confidence in the original wording

C. Different Translation Goals

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Some translations aim for:

Precision (word-for-word)

Clarity (thought-for-thought)

Balance of both

III. DIFFERENCE IN SOURCE MATERIAL (TEXTUAL BASES)

This is one of the most important distinctions.

A. Textus Receptus (TR)

Whats Used by the KJV

Based on a smaller number of later Greek manuscripts (primarily Byzantine tradition)

Compiled in the 1500s (Erasmus and others)

Manuscripts Used in KJV:

Old Testament~900–1000 AD

New Testament~1100–1400 AD

B. Critical Text (Modern Text)

Used by: NASB2020, ESV, CSB, NIV

NIV 1973 / 1978 2011

NASB 1971 2020

ESV 2001 2016

CSB 2004 (HCSB) 2017

📌 These translations are recent in English, but:

👉 They are based on ancient manuscripts:

Hebrew (Old Testament)

Greek (New Testament)

📌 So while the translation is modern,

👉 the source text is ancient and reliable

HOW MANY MANUSCRIPTS ARE USED?

New Testament Evidence

5,800+ Greek manuscripts

10,000+ Latin manuscripts

Thousands more in other languages (Syriac, Coptic, etc.)

📌 Total witnesses: 20,000+

👉 Compared to the 5–10 manuscripts behind the Textus Receptus (KJV)

Includes earlier manuscripts dating to within 100 years of Christ

📌 Important Insight: I know it seems like i’m cutting on the KJV. But look at the truth. No major doctrine is lost between these older and newer manuscriptes—differences are usually minor (word order, spelling, added clarifications, etc.). And between all these translations they are 99% true to the doctine and accuracy.

IV. THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS (KJV-ONLY MYTHS)

Myth #1: The KJV is the only Inspired word of God

📌 Truth: Inspiration applies to original writings, not one English version

Myth #2: The KJV Never Changed

📌 Truth: Minor revisions (spelling, printing) have occurred

Myth #3: Modern Bibles Remove Verses

📌 Truth: They reflect earlier manuscript evidence

👉 Often placed in footnotes

KJV was written first, chapters and verses were given. it was used faithfully for hundreds of years. When modern english versions came out. it would seem that some verses were added to the bible manuscripts. the oldest manuscriptes didn't has those verses.

it didn't make since to change the verse numbers… so they has a verse number with a footnote

The footnote in the NIV - [The earliest manuscripts and many other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53–8:11.

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.

Myth #4: The TR Is the Original Text

📌 Truth: It is a translated Greek text, not the originals

Myth #5: Older Manuscripts Are Corrupt

📌 Truth: Earlier manuscripts are closer to the source

Myth #6: Doctrine Is Changed

📌 Truth: Every major doctrine appears clearly in:

KJV, NASB, ESV, CSB, NIV

Myth #7: KJV Is Easier to Understand

📌 Truth: Many words have changed meaning

Myth #8: Other Translations Are Dangerous

📌 God wants understanding—not confusion.

V. THE CONFIRMATION: THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS

The Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) changed everything.

A. The Great Isaiah Scroll

Dated ~125 BC

1,000 years older than previous copies

Entire book of Isaiah

B. The Comparison

📌 Result:

Nearly identical text

Only minor differences

No doctrinal changes

C. The Conclusion

📌 Across 1,000 years…

👉 God’s Word did not change.

💡 Illustration:

Copy a document for 1,000 years by hand—and it still matches.

That’s not luck—that’s preservation.

VI. THE CONCLUSION: WHAT SHOULD WE BELIEVE?

A. God Has Preserved His Word

📖 Matthew 24:35 (KJV)

“My words shall not pass away.”

B. Translations Are Tools, Not Threats

👉 They help us: Understand, Grow

C. The Message Has Never Changed

📌 Across all faithful translations:

Christ is Lord

Sin is real

Salvation is by grace

The Gospel still saves

CLOSING

📌 Different translations are not confusion—

👉 They are confirmation.

👉 Different wording…

👉 Same truth…

👉 Same God…

👉 Same Gospel…