Why the ESV?

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

WHY THE ESV?

A few weeks ago, I began using the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible from the pulpit. I thought it might be helpful for everyone to give a little history of the different versions of the Bible and why I decided to use the ESV for preaching.

English translations of the Bible began with the Wycliffe Bible in 1382 followed by the Tyndale Bible in the 1500’s. The beloved King James version originated in 1611. In 1885, the Revised Standard (RV) was developed and the American Standard Version (ASV) in 1901. In 1952 the Revised Standard Version (RSV) was printed. Given this history, we see there were six different and significant English Bible translations from the 1300’s to 1952.

In 1978, the floodgates of English Bible translations opened up with the printing of the New International Version (NIV). Over 30% of all Bibles sold in the USA are NIV. Since the NIV’s publication, there have been hundreds more versions created, from the Cotton Patch Bible to the Message. Why?

I have to believe it has a lot to do with our consumer driven nation. Tell Americans they have to have the newest version of anything and they will bite. Americans want the latest “thing” to hit the market and American Christians are no different.

When I was first saved, I started reading the NIV. Then I heard that the New American Standard Bible (NASB) was more literal so I picked up a copy of the NASB and read it cover to cover. When I had to make a decision about which Bible I would preach from, I chose the NIV because it was the most common Bible in the hands of the congregation.

But, as time has gone on, a new English translation called the English Standard Version (ESV) was developed and I took the plunge. The version was highly endorsed by pastors and scholars I trust so I bought my copy and read through it. I made the decision to begin preaching from it starting with this current series in 1 Timothy and here’s why!

The NIV became very popular because it is so readable. It wasn’t the Elizabethan English of the KJV or the choppy style of the literal NASB. But, it is a paraphrase, meaning it expounds, at times, on the meaning of a word to make it more understandable to the reader. This is the goal of the NIV but, the discourse allows for the opinion or interpretation of a committee, which can be problematic.

The ESV combined the literalness of the NASB and the readability of the NIV and produced a very solid English Bible. It stays away from paraphrases and uses a literal translation. The ESV prevents me from often having to say from the pulpit that the NIV didn’t do such a good job of translating a certain word. It also honors the original text in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic by sticking to the original meaning of the words.

If I am going to use a Bible that is both faithful to the literal meaning of the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic languages and is very readable for us today, then the ESV gives me confidence to stand before you every Sunday. However, when I study, I look at many translations-the King James, the New King James, the NASB and the NIV. All this after I have looked up words in the original languages.

I am grateful to a kind donor who gave the church 48 copies of the ESV now in the sanctuary as you walk in. If you already have a copy of the King James or NIV that you love, please keep it on your laps. But, if you are curious about the ESV, then grab a copy on your way into worship.

Let us thank God that we have His revelation to us in English and we can “delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2 ESV)

Blessings,

Pastor Mike

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