Thomas Nelson Publishers today announced a new Bible version that their CEO, Michael Hyatt, calls “similar to the Amplified Bible, but better.” The Expanded Bible will be published on August 11 this year, and they are allowing anyone to download a free copy of the New Testament from their website. I not only wanted to download it and see for myself what it was like, but wanted to give you my first impressions.
So here are my observations, in no particular order…
- From the Introduction: “All translation requires interpretation. One cannot convey meaning in a second language without first deciding what it means in the original. This step of interpretation in translation is unavoidable and imperfect; equally skilled and well-meaning scholars will interpret differently.” That’s so well-said, I’m going to let it stand on its own.
- The Expanded Bible “allows the reader to see multiple possibilities for words, phrases, and interpretations. Rather than opting for one choice, it shows many.” Rather than explain what that means, I’ll show you with a verse that no doubt everyone reading this can quote:
“[LFor] God loved the world so much that he gave his •one and only [only; unique; Tonly begotten; 1:14, 18] Son so that whoever believes in him may not •be lost [Tperish], but have eternal life.” John 3:16The bullet characters are used to identify the word or words for which alternate translations are given inside the brackets. The superscript “L” refers to a literal translation, while the superscript “T” identifies a “traditional” translation, such as from the KJV.
- It’s pretty obvious that the best way I can use this translation is for home study, or as a comparative translation during Bible class or while listening to a sermon. I don’t think I’d use it to read scripture publicly during a worship service.
- I see this translation as both a Bible translation and a study guide. By providing alternative translations of many Bible words and phrases, it gives an added perspective on the meaning of most any passage.
Here are two pairs of passages for you to compare. The passage on the left is from The Expanded Bible; the passage on the right is from The New American Standard Version.
God has put Christ •over [far above] all rulers, authorities, powers, and •kings [lords; dominion], and every other •title given [Lname that is named] not only in this •world [age] but also in the •next [coming one]. 22God •put [subjected] everything under his •power [Lfeet; Ps. 8:6] and •made him the head over everything for the church [or gave him to the church as head over all things], which is his body. Ephesians 1:21-22 | …far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church… Ephesians 1:21-22 |
But if we •live [Lwalk] in the light, as •God [Lhe] is in the light, we •can share [have] fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from every sin. 8If we say we •have no sin [or have no sin nature; or are not guilty of sinning], we are •fooling [deceiving] ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because •we can trust God to do what is right [Lhe is faithful and righteous/just; Deut. 32:4]. He will •cleanse [purify] us from all •the wrongs we have done [unrighteousness]. 1 John 1:7-9 | …if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9 |
Wayne Hastings, the Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Nelson’s Bible Division, said their intent was to create a Bible that combined “devotional reading and in-depth study in a completely new way.” I believe they’ve done that. I’m normally not a huge fan of this genre of Bibles, but I like The Expanded Bible. It’s not a word-for-word translation, to be sure, but certainly one that could be a great addition to the library of any serious Bible student.