Monthly Archives: April 2009

First look at  The  [ e x p a n d e d ]  Bible

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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…

  1. 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.
  2. 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 3:16

    The 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.

  3. 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.
  4. 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.

“Unanswered” prayer

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I exercise daily, and as I exercise I like to listen to audiobooks. Lately I’ve been listening to Prayer, by Philip Yancey. Many times the author uses the phrase “unanswered prayer”. Granted, Yancey explains his use of the term, but I’ve always disliked calling a prayer “unanswered” just because it’s not answered according to our liking. To say that prayer is unanswered is to say God turns a deaf ear to requests to which He has said he would listen.

So how do we know God answers every prayer?

  • If we ask according to His will, we know He hears us — 1 John 5:14.
  • God is attentive to the prayer of the righteous — 1 Peter 3:12.
  • Prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective — James 5:16.
  • If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

I see a few qualifiers there. These verses tell me God will answer my prayer if whatever I ask is according to His will, if I am righteous, and if I abide in Jesus and His words abide in me. I see no cause for confusion on the first 2 points. God said He will “hear us” and that He is “attentive to [our] prayer” if we are righteous. But will God really do anything for me if I just ask? Isn’t that what Jesus promised? In a word, no.

I once heard a minister say that a Christian can literally do whatever he wants to do. He didn’t just leave it at that; he explained his statement and I agree with him. If I truly abide in Christ, and His words abide in me (John 15:7), then the very things I want to do will be exactly what He wants me to do. Thus, I can literally do whatever I want. By extension, I can literally ask for whatever I want and it will be given to me (NIV) or done for me (NASV).

So, just like an attentive parent answers every request of his child, God answers every prayer of His child. Sometimes he says “yes, right now”, sometimes he says “yes, but later”, and sometimes he says “no”, but He listens attentively when I talk to Him, and He responds in accordance with His good and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

Pray without ceasing

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How would you respond if I asked you, “What’s the shortest verse in the Bible?” If you answered, “John 11:35,” you’d only be partially right.

If you’re talking about most English translations of Scripture, you’d probably be totally right. Two words. There are several verses with 3 words, but just that one with 2, as far as I know. That verse in the Greek contains 3 words though, and I can point to at least 2 verses with 2 words each — and consecutive verses at that!

Be joyful always; pray continually. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

That’s a total of 5 words in English and 4 words in Greek.

So what?

We tend to get hung up sometimes on little things like the location of the shortest verse in the Bible, but consider the message in these 4 words. It is powerful! I’d like to suggest that if you follow the first imperative — rejoice always — you’ll be less likely to get an ulcer. By following the second imperative — pray continually — you won’t necessarily have any more money or better health, but you will have a deeper relationship with the Father.

Isn’t that what we’re here for anyway?