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February 20, 2014 By Ray Deck III   |   5 Comments

What God Meant: “Like Newborn Infants, Long for the Pure Spiritual Milk”

bible.study

Biblical writers use several different word pictures to help us understand the power and function of Scripture.

At different times, the Bible is compared to:

  • Light (Psalm 119:105)
  • A mirror (James 1:23)
  • Fire (Jeremiah 23:29)
  • A hammer (Jeremiah 23:29)
  • A sword (Hebrews 4:12)
  • Milk (1 Peter 2:2)
  • Food (1 Corinthians 3:2)

It’s those last two that can be a little confusing. In 1 Peter 2:2, the comparison to milk seems to be a favorable one. Peter’s admonition is for the readers (and us) to preserve a singular focus on and childlike enthusiasm for God’s Word.

Then Paul uses a similar word picture in 1 Corinthians 3:2, but seems to indicate that at some point, we ought to graduate away from the “milk” of the Word.

So which is it? Is the Word of God like milk or like food? And is that good or bad?

While it’s almost always a good idea to compare Scripture with Scripture, literary devices like metaphors or similes remain effective only in their original contexts. The same metaphor used in a different way can illustrate a different point, and that’s what’s going on here.

Peter uses the “milk” word picture to point out how eagerly we ought to consume the Word of God, just like an infant consumes milk.

Paul is addressing a different group of people all together about an all together different idea. The Corinthians who received Paul’s letter did not lack eagerness—they lacked perseverance. They were rehearsing the same fundamental truths constantly, never moving beyond the basics, and were thus missing the richness of other, heavier, more substantial Scripture passages.

Peter and Paul are not arguing. They are standing back to back, defending the same idea from different directions.

As we read the Word of God, it’s important for us to keep in mind that it was written over a span of more than 1,500 years by more than 40 different individuals from all walks of life. They address different subjects for different audiences, from different perspectives, and yet not a single contradiction or error appears in its 66 books. Remarkable, no?

* * *

The Faithlife Study Bible links Scripture passages that address the same topic, so you can make connections with just a click. Download the Faithlife Study Bible for free from your favorite app store, and take your Bible study to the next level.

Filed Under: Bible Study, Practical Theology Tagged With: bible, bible commentary, bible study, bible study tools, online bible, study bible

November 26, 2013 By Ray Deck III   |   1 Comment

11 Available Translations—$10 Each

Last week, I wrote about how to choose a Bible translation, recommending that you pair a highly precise translation with a highly readable one when you study. This week, I’d like to give you a quick guide to 11 of the modern English translations available on Logos.com, to help you understand the strengths and history of each.

Lexham English Bible (LEB)

The Lexham English Bible, translated right here at Logos, is unique in that the translation decisions are made transparently with notes in your Faithlife Study Bible, explaining why difficult passages were translated the way they are. While this translation represents more than a $10 value, it’s completely free. Download it together with the Faithlife Study Bible.

  • Reading level: 9th gradelexham-english-bible
  • Translation method: transparent hybrid
  • Precision: ★★★★★
  • Readability: ★★★

 

King James Version (KJV)

Originally published in 1611, the KJV has had a profound effect on the English language. The readability of the KJV has faded over time as language evolved.

  • Reading level: 12th grade or abovethe-holy-bible-king-james-version
  • Translation method: verbal equivalence
  • Precision: ★★★
  • Readability: ★

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

A team of 60 scholars and church leaders created a modern-English equivalent of the KJV. Only slight changes were made, making the NKJV less poetic and a little more readable, but equally precise.

  • Reading level: 11th gradethe-new-king-james-version-bible
  • Translation method: update of KJV (verbal equivalence)
  • Precision: ★★★
  • Readability: ★★

 

New American Standard Version (NASB)

The gold standard of precision translations, NASB is perfect for word-by-word study. But it has been criticized as hard to read because it lacks flow.

  • Reading level: 12th gradethe-new-american-standard-bible-1995-update
  • Translation method: verbal equivalence
  • Precision: ★★★★★
  • Readability: ★★

 

English Standard Version (ESV)

Dr. J. I. Packer provided oversight, leading to one of the most universally loved English translations. Dr. Packer called it, “the most important thing that I have ever done for the Kingdom.”

  • Reading level: 11th gradeenglish-standard-version
  • Translation method: update of the RSV (verbal equivalence)
  • Precision: ★★★★
  • Readability: ★★★

 

New International Version (NIV)

The translation committee behind the NIV included members from several English speaking countries for better international acceptance, hence the name. The 2002 update, polarized the church with its use of gender-inclusive language. The most recent update, published in 2011, rolled back many of the controversial changes.

  • Reading level: 8th gradenew-international-version
  • Translation method: hybrid
  • Precision: ★★★
  • Readability: ★★★★

 

New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)

The NIV was modified to help early readers understand the Bible. It uses shorter words and sentences, and it includes more subheadings to break chapters into smaller chunks.

  • Reading level: 4th gradenew-international-readers-version
  • Translation method: hybrid
  • Precision: ★★
  • Readability: ★★★★★

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

Revised from The Living Bible, the translation team used a thought-for-thought methodology (instead of word-for-word). The result is easy to understand but less precise.

  • Reading level: 6th gradethe-new-living-translation
  • Translation method: dynamic equivalence
  • Precision: ★★
  • Readability: ★★★★★

 

The Amplified Bible (AMP)

The translation team delivers synonyms of critical words, often verbs, in parentheticals to draw out an application. I find this approach confusing, but I know many who love it.

  • Reading level: 12th gradethe-amplified-bible
  • Translation method: verbal equivalence
  • Precision: ★
  • Readability: ★★

 

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

A team of 90 scholars, predominantly Southern Baptist, released the HSBC in 2003. While a strong, well-balanced translation, it has been overshadowed by the ESV.

  • Reading level: 8th gradeholman-christian-standard-bible
  • Translation method: hybrid
  • Precision: ★★★★
  • Readability: ★★★

 

The Message

The Message is unique because it is the work of a single scholar, Eugene Peterson, and because it leans heavily toward readability. It has its critics, but The Message has never claimed to be anything other than a paraphrase with a heavy emphasis on readability.

  • Reading level: 6th gradethe-message
  • Translation method: paraphrase
  • Precision: ★
  • Readability: ★★★★★

 

 

 

Add one or more translations to your Faithlife Study Bible for $10.00 each at Logos.com.

Filed Under: Bible Study Tagged With: best bibles, bible app, online bible

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