Increase your understanding of the Bible!

EDITOR: In addition to giving us his Son to die for us and to preach God’s Kingdom, God has given us an excellent treasure, his Word, the Bible. 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Luke 4:43; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

Surely, God wants us to be able to understand his Word so that we have a successful life. Joshua 1:8. Hence, rather than sticking to one popular Bible translation, many persons have recognized the value of using other translations too. Why? Other translations help us to understand certain verses that may be difficult to understand in the one we are using. For example, at 1 Corinthians 16:22 some translations use the expressions, “Anathema Maranatha”. These expressions are no longer in use. Comparing some other translations, we find that the expressions mean, “accursed. O our Lord, come!” Compare translations such as “New International Version”; “International Standard Version”; “New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures”; “World English Bible” and “Weymouth New Testament”. These translations, which are available online also, give a clear understanding of 1 Corinthians 16:22.

A second example is Matthew 11:12. There, a popular translation states: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” We know that God’s Kingdom CANNOT suffer violence. Nor can violent persons take God’s Kingdom by force. No way! Some other translations help us to understand that Matthew 11:12 is really saying that some persons had God’s Kingdom as their goal, putting forth great effort to do what God requires, in order to gain the Kingdom.

Yes, it is truly sweet and satisfying when we can understand as much of the Bible as possible, as God wants us to. Try to understand difficult verses in the translation you use by comparing them in other Bible Translations. It helps us to get the truth, to understand clearly what God is really telling us. John 8:32; 1 Timothy 2:3, 4.

Kenneth Kayman