Hermeneutics: Translations

Question 1

Is the greek new testament the original words of Jesus?

Answer 1

Jesus most likely spoke Aramaic, and so the original greek manuscripts is already a translation from Aramaic into Greek

Question 2

3 Main types of translation

Answer 2

Translations exist on a spectrum from literal towards understandable

Word for Word: Most often used for in-depth study and personal development

Thought for Thought: Most often used for in-depth study and personal development

Paraphrase: Most often used for devotional reading and getting diverse insights

Question 3

Word for Word Translations

Answer 3

Interlinear
NASB
AMP
ESV
KJV
NKJV

Question 4

Though for thought translations

Answer 4

HCSB
NRSV
NAB
NIV

Question 5

Paraphrased translations

Answer 5

NLT
NIrV
GNT
TLB
MSG

Question 6

What is the main problem with word for word translations like the KJV

Answer 6

Words change their usage over time.

LIke the word tablet, use to mean medicine, now it is more often used to mean a digital device

In the 16th centaury the word Letteth, meant restrains, but we don’t use that word anymore

Question 7

What is the main problem with the through for though or paraphrased translations

Answer 7

The paraphrased versions, will often leave out important details

Matthew 5:2

NASB: “And opening His mouth he began to teach them, saying,”

NLT “And he began to teach them”

The NLT leaves out the details about Jesus opening his mouth, which is in the original greek, it is an important detail, which reveals his identity as God.

Question 8

Which translations should I use?

Answer 8

When reading: One
When studying: Many

Use any version except the perversion known as the NWT (new world translation) as this is a Jehovah’s Witness Translation

Question 9

How does John 1:1 illustrate the deception of the NWT

Answer 9

John 1:1 NASB “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1 NWT “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was A God.”

The use of the indefinite article A is wrong as there are no indefinite articles in the original Greek language or in the original verse. The Jehovah witnesses are adding to the word of God to confirm their preconceived ideology, namely that Jesus was not God.

Question 10

I can’t believe the bible because it’s been translated and retranslated for centuries,

Answer 10

FALSE

Every translation is the first translation as each translation is translated from the original manuscripts.