By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

There are too many translations of the Bible.

I said what I said. It’s overwhelming. I’m not referring to translations into different languages. I’m a big fan of being able to read the Bible in your native language! I’m not even referring to the different versions within Christianity, such as the Catholic Bible or the Greek Orthodox Bible. What I’m referring to are the various English translations, particularly of the Protestant version of the Bible.

So. Many. Translations.

How do you pick which one to read? Is one better than another? What does it say about me if I prefer a certain translation? Am I lumped into a specific camp that I can never leave? While I jest with some of these questions, the truth behind them is far too real. Some translations do side with specific worldviews while others have been adopted by specific demographics. This adds another layer of confusion and anxiety to conversations around Biblical translation.

I know it’s a lot, so let’s break it down.

Lost in Translation

Many Christians have a favorite translation. Personally, I prefer the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). I use the King James Version (KJV) on this blog since it’s public domain. The KJV is not my favorite. The language is archaic, white-washed, and misogynistic. But I appreciate its history. It allowed English speakers the opportunity to read God’s Word without requiring them to know Latin, and to study the Word and come to their own interpretations outside of what the Church preached as gospel truth.

While I have a preference, I try to read in multiple translations. But no translation is perfect, regardless of what some Christians say. Every translation includes the translator’s bias. Some words don’t have direct translations into English. Other words could have multiple meanings. Throw in the cultural and historical context surrounding the events of the Bible and you have a recipe for confusion and inaccuracies.

This is where concordances, additional resources such as maps and diagrams, and reading in other translations come in. We live in a society where information is at our fingertips. You can search for Biblical translations online (I suggest BibleGateway – no, I’m not affiliated with the site, but I use it almost daily). If you are willing to spend the money, Logos Bible Software is highly recommended (again, I’m not affiliated with them). What you will notice as you read various translations is that your interpretation of the Word changes.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Don’t come at me about Biblical interpretation. Yes, there are highly educated theologians and church leaders who teach us about the Bible. But every teaching is biased, and only your own interpretation can inform how you apply what you learn. This is why Bible study is so important, because God’s Word can guide your steps and provide the motivation for your actions.

Different Biblical translations can lead to different interpretations, or at least different “A-ha!” moments. A translation written in modern English may make more sense to you than one written a hundred years ago. Or vice versa. We all learn differently, we take in information differently, and we process that information differently. This also applies to how we read and understand the Bible!

You don’t have to like the same translation as everyone else. You may not have a favorite, or maybe you have several translations you enjoy. Regardless, I strongly recommend that you read various translations to better understand God’s Word because God is always speaking to us through the Word. God uses all translations to deliver messages to us. Open yourself up to what God has to say.

Know Your Limits

Every version of the Bible has value. We can learn something about God from any translation. But when we limit ourselves to just one translation, we limit our knowledge of God. We end up missing out on important information and wisdom. We can even box ourselves in, refusing to look beyond a preferred translation and allowing our stubbornness to take root, which in turn can harden our hearts.

Open yourself up to the Word of God by reading multiple translations. You never know what you might discover about God or His plans for you.