Part IX: Chronology and Modern English Translations
Chronology of Major English Translations of the Bible
| Date | Event / Translation |
|---|---|
| c. 650 | Caedmon paraphrases Scripture into Old English verse. |
| c. 735 | Bede translates portions of the Gospels into Old English before his death. |
| 871–899 | King Alfred the Great translates Psalms and the Ten Commandments. |
| 955–1020 | Aelfric translates various parts of the Bible into Old English. |
| c. 1325 | William Shoreham and Richard Rolle render the Psalms into metrical English verse. |
| 1380–1382 | John Wycliffe and the Lollards produce the first complete English Bible (from Latin). |
| 1388 | John Purvey revises Wycliffe’s Bible for improved clarity and accuracy. |
| 1455 | Gutenberg prints the first Bible using movable type (Latin Vulgate). |
| 1525 | William Tyndale publishes the first English New Testament translated from Greek. |
| 1535 | Coverdale Bible: completes Tyndale’s work by translating the Old Testament. |
| 1537 | Matthew Bible: edited by John Rogers, blending Tyndale and Coverdale’s work. |
| 1538 | Great Bible: authorized for public use in churches; based on Tyndale and Matthew. |
| 1560 | Geneva Bible: widely read; used by Shakespeare and the early American Puritans. |
| 1568 | Bishop’s Bible: a revision of the Great Bible for use in the Church of England. |
| 1582 | Rheims New Testament: Catholic English version translated from the Latin Vulgate. |
| 1607–1611 | King James Version (Authorized Version): a landmark collaborative English translation. |
| 1881–1885 | English Revised Version: the first major revision of the KJV, based on older texts. |
| 1901 | American Standard Version: an American update of the English Revised Version. |
| 1952 | Revised Standard Version: modernizes the ASV for broader readability. |
| 1973 | New International Version: popular dynamic translation aimed at accessibility. |
| 1982 | New King James Version: updates the KJV’s language while preserving its structure. |
| 1989 | New Revised Standard Version: ecumenical revision of the RSV, informed by new research. |
Choosing a Bible Translation
Different Approaches to Translation
Bible translation is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. There are three major approaches, each with distinct priorities:
- Literal (Formal Equivalence) – Translates word-for-word, preserving original structure but sometimes at the expense of readability.
Examples: King James Version (KJV), New King James Version (NKJV), American Standard Version (ASV), New American Standard Bible (NASB) - Dynamic Equivalent (Thought-for-Thought) – Prioritizes meaning and clarity, sometimes interpreting cultural or theological nuances.
Examples: New International Version (NIV), New English Bible (NEB), Jerusalem Bible (JB) - Free or Paraphrase – Prioritizes accessibility and modern readability, often rephrasing significantly.
Examples: The Living Bible, The Amplified Bible, Good News Bible (GNB)
Why Use More Than One Version?
No single English translation perfectly captures the richness of the original Hebrew and Greek. Comparing versions can reveal interpretive decisions and deepen understanding. Consider the diverse renderings of 1 Corinthians 7:36 across translations—from “his virgin” to “his partner in celibacy”—each offering a different perspective on Paul’s meaning.
Reading Faithfully
While the history of English Bible translation is filled with remarkable scholarship, controversy, and literary brilliance, it is important to remember why these translations exist in the first place: to bring the Word of God into the language of the people so it can be known, understood, and lived out.
No translation is perfect. Each one reflects certain choices, linguistic philosophies, and historical contexts. Yet in God's providence, the essential message of Scripture has endured through centuries of change, pointing readers to the truth of Christ, the grace of God, and the calling to live in obedience and faith.
Whether one reads the King James Version, the ESV, the NIV, or another translation, the ultimate goal is not simply to study words on a page but to be transformed by them. As James writes, we are to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).
It is not the translation we use that defines our faithfulness, but the posture with which we approach Scripture: with humility, reverence, and a desire to know God more deeply. In every age, the Bible remains a living and powerful testimony to God's truth—and it is in reading, reflecting on, and living out its message that we truly preserve and pass down the Word of God.
