All These Versions

We sometimes wonder why in recent days so many different versions of the Bible are being created. It is said that over seventy English language versions were published in the second half of the twentieth century. Each one seems to arise from a slightly different need, perhaps the various idioms of 'English speaking' groups, perhaps a particular slant in matters of doctrine. Another factor may be, among those who have knowledge of languages, the human desire to 'do it yourself' and not rely upon the work of others. But underlying them all there is the one same need, seen against these differing backgrounds, the need to communicate the Gospel.

The New English Bible came into being because military chaplains realised that their soldiers could not understand a word of the Authorised Version (1961). The Good News Bible was born out of requests from missionaries for a bible that was 'friendly' to those for whom English was not their native language (1966). J B Phillips began his translation in 1941 for the benefit of his Youth Club - to convey the vitality and radiant faith as well as the courage of the early Church. This in war time. The Message has the intention of getting people to read the Bible who do not know that it is read-able (2002). The Twentieth Century New Testament had its origin in the discovery that the English of the Authorised Version 'though valued by the more educated reader for its antique charm is in many passages difficult to those who are less educated' (1901). Ferrar Fenton did his work believing that 'an intelligible Bible means a restoration of faith' (1910). And William Tyndale, translating into English five hundred years ago, hoped to make the Bible thoroughly known to 'the boy that driveth the plough' and not just to the educated clergy who were presumed capable of reading it in Latin.

There have been so many versions, each with its own supporters. Well, God is a God of variety. Even the 'lilies of the field' which He clothes are not identical to one another (Matthew 6.28) [They are possibly gladiolus or iris, growing amid the corn. Also translated wild lilies, or in freer versions, wildflowers. "A reference to all the splendid colours and beautiful shapes of the numerous wild plants comprehended under the name 'lily'" (Hastings Bible Dictionary)]

And God is able to use each of these versions, however correct or incorrect, however much a paraphrase or however much tied closely word for word to the original Greek. Each version aims to convey His message into the hearts and minds of those who will be, or already are, believers. Each seeks to present His love and truth in the world where it is being published.

For each one there are stories of an effect in people's lives. For example:

X X X X X

An old distinguished looking man, perhaps in his late seventies, invites a guest into his study and takes out from the safe a packet of manuscripts. It is his translation of the New Testament. Ever since the 1881 Revised Version had been so disappointing, keeping as it did to the same outdated language as the AV, he has been working to produce a new version in modern speech, to convey what he judges the New Testament writers would have written if they had been living in late nineteenth century England.

The manuscript is brought out and he explains the reasons for some of his wording. For example, why the elder brother of the Prodigal Son says "all these years I have been slaving for you" - not just serving his father. Or why he writes 'the fire of the Ages' (Matthew 18.8) or the 'Life of the Ages' (Matthew 25.46) when translating the Greek word aeonian, rather than 'everlasting' or 'eternal'. He has his opinions, as a Baptist who has studied Greek for sixty years, who was headmaster at Mill Hill School and taught at University College, London.

But he tells his guest, "I've spent years over this, but I fear it will never see the light. The financial difficulties are too great", and sadly, "It has been done for His glory, and He knows."

Happily, some of the old boys from his school clubbed together to finance its publication. Sadly, Richard Francis Weymouth died before his version was actually published, in 1903.

X X X X X

It is 1917 and a young man is choosing a birthday present for his fiancée. He is a conscientious objector to military service, and has been sent a hundred miles away from his home, to work feeding pigs on a farm - better than joining in the killing of the Great War. He is able to find for her a copy of 'The New Testament in Modern Speech' by R F Weymouth, D.Lit. Third edition, sixth impression. He writes an appropriate (if embarrassing) greeting on the flyleaf, together with the reference Romans 8.28 "Now we know that for those who love God all things are working together for good - for those, I mean, whom with deliberate purpose He has called."

X X X X X

Thirty or more years on, and a teenager is spending a lazy morning in bed, as teenagers do when they get the chance at a week-end. On Sunday he will go along with his parents to the Bible Study. It is a very slow study, a few verses each week from the two-columned black bibles. There are references to look up, concordances to refer to, and the old 'modern' translations to compare, such as Rotherham, or Ferrar Fenton, or Moffatt - now Moffatt is good for a surprise. He might alter the order of the verses to make better sense, and as for calling Noah's Ark a barge!

This particular day the teenager looks along his parents' bookshelves, and his eyes fall on a slim black volume, 'New Testament in Modern Speech - Weymouth'. Yet another version. He plucks it out, settles back between the sheets, and begins to read. And read. And read. The story flows, and comes to life.

For many mornings afterward 'Weymouth' was his reading of choice. One of its treasures was repeated in a plaque on the wall: "Love is patient and kind. Love knows neither envy nor jealousy. Love is not forward and self assertive, nor boastful and conceited.... she finds no pleasure in injustice done to others, but joyfully sides with the truth..... full of trust, full of hope, full of patient endurance."

In the process of reading, a new Christian life is being formed.