Bible Translation, Inerrancy, and the Preservation of Scripture

A Bible that cannot be understood cannot be profitable.That may seem too obvious to require saying. Yet the history of Scripture’s translation shows that Christians have not always agreed on its implications. If the Bible remains locked in languages unknown to the people of God, then for most hearers it is effectively silent. It may be honored, carried, displayed, and recited, but it cannot instruct, correct, comfort, or convert those who cannot understand its words.The original languages of Scripture are Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Most English-speaking Christians do not know them. Without translation, then, the Bible would remain inaccessible to them. The apostle Paul said, “If with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air” (1 Corinthians 14:9).God gave Scripture to be read, heard, believed, obeyed, preached, prayed, sung, and handed down. Translation is necessary, therefore, for the church’s life…