Don’t Just READ it… Study It!

 

Many of you know I am a big supporter of the New Living Translation of the Bible. I do not take issues with the NIV, the power of the KJV, the accuracy of the ESV, but I found the NLT is easy for people to read and anything that gets people interested in diving into God’s word is a good thing. 

BUT,

THE NLT does have its flaws and yesterday I came upon one. Let me use it as an example for you. Here is the verse;

“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:10-11, NLT)

It seems pretty straight forward. AND I do not argue with its message. YES, the Bible is clear, regardless of what translation you use, in many verses, we are told we CAN be friends with God. Here are a couple and I will quote them in the KJV for you ONLY KJV people.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord forth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:13-15)

But, my problem with the NLT is that no where in the Greek or any surrounding verses does it mention or even hint at this verse (Romans 5:10-11) being associated with friendship with God. Here is the ESV version of Romans 5:10-11.

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:10-11, ESV)

I understand the NLT is a “thought” translation instead of a “word for word” translation but there is nothing in these verses or surrounding verses to even HINT at friendship with God being the result of  reconciliation.

Ok, now that I have GEEKED out on you. I still have the utmost in confidence of the NLT. I love it and I have never read anything WRONG or inappropriate in its translation. Just realize it may not be fully accurate and checking other versions is important.

SO, I would strongly recommend you always STUDY scripture instead of just reading scripture. Look at other translations, contemplate and reflect what it tells us about God, Man, and how we can apply it. Don’t just read it like a novel. YOU MIGHT BE MISSING SOMETHING!