Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

Ronnie sent me an email and asked: 

Why do you use ESV instead of KJV? I have found lots of resources that support KJV. I want to understand from your view point why ESV is an equal translation

Ronnie phrased the question as a choice between the English Standard version and the King James Version, but my options were much more than those two. I also considered the option of the Holeman Bible, the New American Standard Version, and the New Living Translation.

Because I study the text in the original languages of the Bible, I’m not entirely dependent on any translation for my study. But when I teach, I realize that most of the people I’m addressing cannot read Greek or Hebrew, or Aramaic. So I read from an English translation of the Bible - the ESV. Sometimes the Wisdom team will find that I misquoted the ESV because my mind often translates words from Greek or Hebrew instead.

That gets to the heart of what makes a good translation. The objective of a translation is to take the scriptures and faithfully convert (translate) that to a different language. It’s a very difficult task.

The translators of the King James Version did a wonderful job. I have no problem with someone preferring to read from the KJV. The KJV is beloved by millions of people. Unfortunately, some people go so far as to falsely claim that the KJV is the only reliable translation of the Bible. The God-inspired version of the Bible is not the KJV. It is the original writings of the original authors. Translations are critical, and God has providentially preserved His Word so that we could have reliable versions today. And the basis for a reliable translation is to communicate the words and meaning of the original text.

By the way, this is true for every known language. If the KJV was the only trustworthy translation of the Bible, that would exclude billions of non-English speaking people from having access to God’s Word. My prayer is that there will be thousands more translations of the Bible so that people of all tongues will have God’s Word in their native language.

I have found that the New American Standard Bible and the English Standard Version are excellent translations, and I have used both extensively. However, I consider the “title” of the New American Standard Bible to be unfortunate. Since our messages are being accessed in over 150 different countries, in nine languages, this title can cause some confusion. The Bible is not an “American” book. The Bible is for all the nations.

So to sum up my answer, in choosing between the KJV and the ESV, I believe the ESV is more readable to an English audience. The more general title – “The English Standard Version” – also steers clear of communicating that I’m preaching or teaching an “American” gospel, but a global gospel of God’s good news to the nations.

GO DEEPER

When it comes to choosing a Bible translation, Christians often feel a deep personal connection to a particular version. For many, the King James Version (KJV) has long been held as the gold standard of Bible translations—beautiful, poetic, and foundational to the English-speaking church. The KJV has played an invaluable role in shaping Christian faith and culture for over 400 years. However, I choose to teach from the English Standard Version (ESV), and I’d like to explain why, while also honoring the beloved legacy of the KJV.

The Difference Between KJV and ESV

The KJV, completed in 1611, is renowned for its majestic, Shakespearean language. It was the result of scholarly efforts to create a unified and accessible Bible for English-speaking believers of the time. The translation, based on the manuscripts available at that period, has influenced the church for generations and has a timeless quality to its words.

The ESV, on the other hand, is a more recent translation, first published in 2001. It seeks to maintain the literal accuracy of the text while providing clarity in modern English. It stands in the tradition of "word-for-word" translations, and like the KJV, it seeks to convey the original meaning of Scripture with fidelity. The ESV draws from a wider array of manuscripts than the KJV had available, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and earlier Greek texts, offering a slightly different, and at times more precise, rendering of the Scriptures.

Why Choose the ESV Bible?

The main reason I choose the ESV is that it balances readability with accuracy. As a teacher, I want to help people understand the Bible clearly, without compromising the depth of its message. The ESV’s "essentially literal" approach aims to keep as close as possible to the original languages while still making sense to a contemporary audience. It offers a modern equivalent of the words and idioms found in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.

The ESV's clarity makes it a wonderful tool for both individual study and group teaching. While the KJV's language is poetic, it can sometimes be difficult to understand, particularly for younger readers or those new to the Bible. The ESV retains much of the dignity and cadence of traditional translations, while removing some of the archaic phrasing that can be a barrier to understanding.

Is the ESV Accurate?

One question I often hear is, "Is the ESV an accurate translation?" The ESV is known for its high level of accuracy, and scholars widely regard it as one of the most reliable translations available today. It is a careful revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV), which itself was a respected translation, and it benefits from access to the best available manuscripts, taking advantage of modern advances in biblical archaeology and linguistics.

The ESV aims to provide as much transparency to the original text as possible. Its translators took a conservative approach, seeking to preserve theological precision while also presenting the Bible in a way that resonates today. Many evangelical denominations appreciate the ESV because of its faithfulness to the original Scripture and because it does not try to soften difficult truths found in the Bible.

Criticisms and Weaknesses of the ESV

That said, no translation is perfect. One critique of the ESV is that it sometimes leans towards a "wooden" literalness, making certain passages sound less natural in English. In striving for literal accuracy, the ESV can occasionally come across as more formal than other translations, which may hinder the flow of reading for some people.

Another criticism is related to certain verses that are omitted or footnoted in the ESV. Like most modern translations, the ESV doesn’t include some verses that the KJV contains because of manuscript evidence. Verses like Matthew 17:21 or Acts 8:37, which appear in the KJV, are omitted or placed in footnotes in the ESV because they are not found in the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts. This difference in the manuscript base is often at the heart of the debate between the KJV and modern translations like the ESV.

The ESV, Denominations, and Theology

The ESV is broadly accepted across various denominations, particularly among evangelical Christians. Its popularity has grown in churches that value a "word-for-word" approach to translation, which maintains the theological nuance of the original texts. The ESV Study Bible, in particular, is an excellent resource, providing comprehensive notes that reflect a broadly Reformed perspective, but it remains accessible to believers of different traditions.

The theology represented by the ESV Study Bible aims to offer sound, evangelical insights into the Scriptures, with commentary that is intended to be faithful to the historical and grammatical context of the Bible. It is not overtly Calvinistic, though some readers may see a leaning towards Reformed theology in the study notes. Nevertheless, the ESV text itself is not bound to any specific theological camp, and its intention is to serve the entire body of Christ.

What Makes the ESV Different?

The ESV stands out because it strives for precision while still being easy to read. Unlike more paraphrased translations, the ESV does not attempt to summarize or interpret the meaning of passages in the same way. Instead, it presents the text as literally as possible, leaving the deeper interpretation to the reader, teacher, or study group. This allows the ESV to remain true to the original meaning while also encouraging study, meditation, and discussion.

In comparison to the NIV, for instance, the ESV is more formal in its equivalence. The NIV is a thought-for-thought translation that aims to convey the ideas of Scripture, while the ESV seeks to retain the structure and form of the original language, which makes it appealing to those who prefer a deeper dive into the literal words of Scripture.

Gender Language in the ESV

Some have noted that the ESV retains the use of masculine language where it reflects the original Greek and Hebrew texts. Unlike some other modern translations, it does not always use gender-neutral language. This choice is grounded in a commitment to be faithful to the original text, even if cultural norms have shifted regarding inclusive language. The ESV’s translators wanted to preserve the original tone and meaning of Scripture without modifying it to fit modern preferences.

Conclusion: Respecting Both Translations

Both the KJV and the ESV have unique strengths and play valuable roles in the lives of believers today. The KJV, with its rich history and poetic phrasing, has been a treasured Bible for centuries. It continues to be a source of deep comfort and inspiration for many believers. However, for those seeking a translation that balances accuracy with readability in contemporary English, the ESV is an excellent choice.

The decision between the KJV and the ESV ultimately comes down to preference and purpose. The KJV is wonderful for its heritage and beauty, and the ESV is valuable for its clarity and scholarly rigor. As we seek to study God’s Word, it’s important to remember that the translation we choose should help us draw closer to the Lord, understand His message more clearly, and apply it to our lives. Whether you hold a KJV or an ESV, the most important thing is that God’s Word speaks to your heart, guides your steps, and draws you nearer to Him.