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How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding and Using Bible Versions
With so many Bible translations available today, how can you find those that will be most useful to you? What is the difference between a translation that calls itself “literal” and one that is more “meaning-based”? And what difference does it make for you as a reader of God’s Word?How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth brings clarity and insight to the current debate over translations and translation theories. Written by two seasoned Bible translators, here is an authoritative guide through the maze of translations issues, written in language that everyday Bible readers can understand.Learn the truth about both the word-for-word and meaning-for-meaning translations approaches. Find out what goes into the whole process of translation, and what makes a translation accurate and reliable. Discover the strengths and potential weaknesses of different contemporary English Bible versions. In the midst of the present confusion over translations, this authoritative book speaks with an objective, fair-minded, and reassuring voice to help pastors, everyday Bible readers, and students make wise, well-informed choices about which Bible translations they can depend on and which will best meet their needs.
170 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
77 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Gordon D. Fee
60 books210 followersGordon Fee was Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Regent College, where he taught for sixteen years. His teaching experience also included serving schools in Washington, California, Kentucky, as well as Wheaton College in Illinois (five years) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts (twelve years).
Gordon Fee was a noted New Testament scholar, having published several books and articles in his field of specialization, New Testament textual criticism. He also published a textbook on New Testament interpretation, co-authored two books for lay people on biblical interpretation, as well as scholarly-popular commentaries on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and on Galatians, and major commentaries on 1 Corinthians and Philippians. He is also the author of a major work on the Holy Spirit and the Person of Christ in the letters of Paul.
Gordon Fee served as the general editor of the New International Commentary series, as well as on the NIV revision committee that produced the TNIV. Besides his ability as a biblical scholar, he was a noted teacher and conference speaker. He has given the Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar lectures on fifteen college campuses as well as the annual NT lectures at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, North Park Seminary, the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, the Canadian Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Golden Gate Baptist, Anderson School of Theology, Asbury Seminary, and Chrichton College. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, Gordon Fee was well known for his manifest concern for the renewal of the church.
Gordon Fee was married and had four married children.
Gordon Fee was a noted New Testament scholar, having published several books and articles in his field of specialization, New Testament textual criticism. He also published a textbook on New Testament interpretation, co-authored two books for lay people on biblical interpretation, as well as scholarly-popular commentaries on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and on Galatians, and major commentaries on 1 Corinthians and Philippians. He is also the author of a major work on the Holy Spirit and the Person of Christ in the letters of Paul.
Gordon Fee served as the general editor of the New International Commentary series, as well as on the NIV revision committee that produced the TNIV. Besides his ability as a biblical scholar, he was a noted teacher and conference speaker. He has given the Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar lectures on fifteen college campuses as well as the annual NT lectures at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, North Park Seminary, the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, the Canadian Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Golden Gate Baptist, Anderson School of Theology, Asbury Seminary, and Chrichton College. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, Gordon Fee was well known for his manifest concern for the renewal of the church.
Gordon Fee was married and had four married children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 4, 2020
This is my 2nd time through this book. It is hands down the clearest and most accessible book on the process of Bible translation, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each translation philosophy--formal equivalence, functional equivalence, and mediating versions. It is extremely common to hear people speak dogmatically about "the best" translation and the "most literal" translation, along with making disparaging remarks about certain translations based on perceived assumptions about the agenda of translators and committees. This book should cause any thoughtful Bible reader not only to pause and consider the complexity of translation, and translations, but also to give thanks for the multitude of translations available to English readers.
July 22, 2023
I found this book to be a really solid introduction to the basics of bible translation. It provides an overview of the different approaches that translation committees choose to take when revising existing versions/creating new translations, the many things to keep in mind when translating Greek and Hebrew words into English, how cultural and gender-related issues impact translation, as well as a quick summary for some of the more popular translations available today.
Because bible translation is such a big and complex topic, I really appreciated the list of resources at the end of each chapter that the authors provided for further/more specific study. Although the authors were transparent about their role in producing the TNIV translation, I did not enjoy their persistence in presenting it as essentially the best translation for all intents and purposes.
Because bible translation is such a big and complex topic, I really appreciated the list of resources at the end of each chapter that the authors provided for further/more specific study. Although the authors were transparent about their role in producing the TNIV translation, I did not enjoy their persistence in presenting it as essentially the best translation for all intents and purposes.
November 27, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. Also jumbled (in a good way) my ideas about what translations to use and suggest to people.
December 30, 2017
Probably the best book on the complex task of bible translation I’ve ever read. Deals openly and honestly with complicated and difficult issues like gender accuracy, the original text and manuscript traditions, the age old debate of following the words vs following the meaning, and it has a whole chapter on the Greek genitive!
People might find it a bit overwhelming, but that’s because bible translation is an overwhelming venture...crossing boundaries of not only language, but also time, space, culture, and worldview. This book navigates the issues well, and presents different perspectives in a way that is fair while still arguing their main point: that in translation, “meaning trumps form.”
People might find it a bit overwhelming, but that’s because bible translation is an overwhelming venture...crossing boundaries of not only language, but also time, space, culture, and worldview. This book navigates the issues well, and presents different perspectives in a way that is fair while still arguing their main point: that in translation, “meaning trumps form.”
July 20, 2010
Very decent little guide, its a little dated since translations are coming out relatively quickly now but it does a very good job explaining the underlying translations philosophies and provides principles that allow you to analyze new translations as they come out.
October 20, 2011
Good overview and introduction to different translations and the theories behind them. Although Fee and Strauss obviously have their own agenda (dynamic equivalence), it did not become a soap-box.
June 16, 2018
A informative resource for understanding Bible translation. It explains of the challenges Bible translators face, the pros and cons of different approaches, and how those choices affect Bible readers. There are plenty of examples to illustrate the points being made. It covers issues I've neither thought of nor read about elsewhere.
The authors are strongly in favor of mediating versions, and aren't fans of formal equivalence because, in their opinion, formal versions distort the meaning and are too difficult to comprehend. Both authors served on the translation committee of the TNIV, and have been involved in other versions. The book is helpful for understanding the issues, even if you don't agree with the authors' stance.
This paragraph summarizes their advice on choosing a translation:
Formal (literal) versions:
• NRSV: Most reliable of formal versions. Well-respected among scholars.
• NASB, NASU: Most consistently literal, so provides most direct access to form and structure of Hebrew and Greek.
• ESV: Improvement of RSV, with greater use of gender-accurate language.
Mediating versions:
• TNIV: Best choice. Committee translation drawing from best of evangelical scholarship. Improves on NIV in gender accuracy and exegetical precision.
• NET, NEB: Excellent and reliable. Committee translations with high level of scholarship. Notes in NET are helpful for those doing detailed study.
Functional (idiomatic) versions:
• NLT (esp. 2004): Accurate, clear, readable. Committee translation with high level of scholarship.
• NCV, GW, CEV, GNT/TEV/GNB: Good choices.
• The Message: Can provide fresh insights, but should be used with more historically accurate versions.
Notes
Part 1: The Task of Translation
The Meaning and Task of Translation
Trying to reproduce the form of the biblical text (translating "literally") frequently results in distorting its meaning.
Formal equivalence is AKA literal or word-for-word translation.
Complete lexical concordance (1:1 correspondence from original word to English word) is impossible, because Hebrew and Greek words have ranges of meanings.
Functional equivalence is AKA idiomatic equivalence, dynamic equivalence, or meaning-based translation.
Mediating equivalence seeks to balance between formal and functional equivalence.
Formal equivalence doesn't work because Hebrew and Greek words, phrases, and idioms are different than English ones.
Translation is always a 2-step process: 1) Interpret meaning of text in original context. 2) Accurately convey meaning in receptor language. All translation involves interpretation.
How to overcome limitations of a Bible version
• Use multiple Bible versions.
• Read larger units of text to understand context, flow of text.
• Check commentaries.
• Gain better understanding of world of Bible (background, culture).
All versions lie on a spectrum between original meaning and contemporary relevance.
Strengths and weaknesses of translation types
Formal (literal)
• Goal: Comprehension. Alter Hebrew and Greek form until text is comprehensible.
• Versions: KJV, NKJV, NASU, NRSV, RSV, ESV.
• Strengths: Helps capture metaphors, verbal allusions, ambiguities.
• Weaknesses: Awkward English, obscurity, inaccuracy. Comprehension test often fails.
Mediating
• Goal: Clarity. Alter form until text is clear.
• Versions: NIV, TNIV, NAB, NJB, HCSB, NET.
• Strengths: Achieves both accuracy and clarity.
• Weaknesses: More interpretation, so greater margin for interpretive error. Sometimes uses unnatural English.
Functional (idiomatic)
• Goal: Naturalness. Alter form until text is natural.
Versions: NLT, NCV, GNT, GW, CEV.
• Strengths: Greatest comprehension. Communicates message clearly, naturally.
• Weaknesses: Even more interpretation, so greater margin for error. Sometimes loses nuances of meaning in pursuit of simplicity and clarity.
Inadequacies of a functional version are outweighed by benefits of comprehending God's Word.
Part 2: Making Words Work
Translating Words
Words can have many different meanings. Most words in any language don't have one "literal" or all-encompassing meaning, but a semantic range (range of potential senses). Translators can't translate "literally"; they must translate according to meaning in context.
Part 3: Translation and Culture
Cultural Issues in Translation
Because formal versions use language of original culture, they risk miscommunication with modern reader. Because functional versions change to contemporary language, they lose some cultural or historical or religious context.
Goal: transport readers to world of text, so they can understand what was originally heard.
Gender and Translation
Gender-neutral versions aren't about gender neutrality, but about gender accuracy. Goal isn't to eliminate gender distinctions, but to clarify them. Passages that refer exclusively to males should remain masculine, and references to females should remain feminine. When context shows that males and females are meant, gender-inclusive terms are more accurate.
Part 4: Other Translation Issues: Text and Presentation
The Question of the Original Text
1st task of translator is to know which words to translate, before they can think about how to translate.
Standard Hebrew text is Masoretic Text. Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah shows how accurate Masoretic Text is. Translators occasionally follow Septuagint rather than Masoretic, especially when Septuagint agrees with Dead Sea Scrolls. All contemporary English versions use Masoretic Text as primary source for OT.
There are no 2 manuscripts of NT that are exactly alike, even when we know one is a copy of another. Copyists made mistakes, mostly careless, but sometimes deliberate, as they tried to clarify or harmonize to a companion passage.
In manuscripts, quantity counts for very little; quality and age count for everything.
Majority Text includes centuries of copying errors. Early manuscripts are more valuable.
There is near unanimous agreement that Greek text used for contemporary English versions is very close to original text of NT. In small percentage of passages that are uncertain, you can be certain that original is in text or in footnote.
NKJV is only modern version that uses Textus Receptus. Textus Receptus agrees in most cases with Majority Text (majority of manuscripts), most of which are very late manuscripts. Total of manuscript differences make up a relatively small percentage of biblical texts, and seldom reflect important doctrines. NKJV includes footnotes with variant readings from Majority Text and Critical Text. Original reading is more often in footnote than text.
Most translational difficulties are related to one word being substituted for another, or a letter or word or phrase being added (or sometimes omitted) by scribes copying manuscripts. Scribes sometimes tried to "help out" an author by clarifying or "correcting" what they perceived as difficult readings. They usually added or rearranged words; omitting words was rare.
2 reasons KJV shouldn't be primary Bible: archaic language, scribes harmonized manuscripts.
Issues of Style and Format
"Sheol" is Hebrew for place of dead. Septuagint translators rendered it as "Hades" in Greek. "Gehenna" originally meant Valley of Hinnom, where children were sacrificed to Molech (2 Kings 23:10). In Jesus' time, it was city dump where bodies of criminals were burned, and which burned constantly. Jesus used "Gehenna" to describe Hell, and most modern translations render "Gehenna" as "Hell."
Most English stylists say pronouns, including those referring to God, should be lowercase. Capitalizing them can distort meaning, such as capitalization of pronouns referring to Jesus when quoting those who didn't believe Jesus was God (Matt 12:38).
Part 5: The Bible in English
Contemporary Bible Versions
HCSB strives for "optimal equivalence" (balance between words and thoughts). It follows Critical Text and supplies many alternative readings from Textus Receptus and Majority Text in footnotes.
Authors recommend any of 25 versions covered in book.
The authors are strongly in favor of mediating versions, and aren't fans of formal equivalence because, in their opinion, formal versions distort the meaning and are too difficult to comprehend. Both authors served on the translation committee of the TNIV, and have been involved in other versions. The book is helpful for understanding the issues, even if you don't agree with the authors' stance.
This paragraph summarizes their advice on choosing a translation:
A good mediating version (TNIV, NIV, NET, NAB, HCSB) is probably the best overall version for one's primary Bible, since it is clear and readable, but also retains important formal features of the text. The formal equivalent versions (NRSV, NASU, ESV, RSV) are helpful tools for detailed study since they seek to retain the structure, idioms, verbal allusions, and ambiguities of the original text. Great benefit can also be gained from the functional equivalent versions (NLT, NCV, GNT, CEV, GW) since these use natural English and so provide fresh eyes on the text. They are particularly helpful for new Bible readers. … Idiomatic [functional] versions can be even more helpful for those who have spent their whole life reading and memorizing Scripture.Recommended versions for each translation approach
Formal (literal) versions:
• NRSV: Most reliable of formal versions. Well-respected among scholars.
• NASB, NASU: Most consistently literal, so provides most direct access to form and structure of Hebrew and Greek.
• ESV: Improvement of RSV, with greater use of gender-accurate language.
Mediating versions:
• TNIV: Best choice. Committee translation drawing from best of evangelical scholarship. Improves on NIV in gender accuracy and exegetical precision.
• NET, NEB: Excellent and reliable. Committee translations with high level of scholarship. Notes in NET are helpful for those doing detailed study.
Functional (idiomatic) versions:
• NLT (esp. 2004): Accurate, clear, readable. Committee translation with high level of scholarship.
• NCV, GW, CEV, GNT/TEV/GNB: Good choices.
• The Message: Can provide fresh insights, but should be used with more historically accurate versions.
Notes
Part 1: The Task of Translation
The Meaning and Task of Translation
Trying to reproduce the form of the biblical text (translating "literally") frequently results in distorting its meaning.
Formal equivalence is AKA literal or word-for-word translation.
Complete lexical concordance (1:1 correspondence from original word to English word) is impossible, because Hebrew and Greek words have ranges of meanings.
Functional equivalence is AKA idiomatic equivalence, dynamic equivalence, or meaning-based translation.
Mediating equivalence seeks to balance between formal and functional equivalence.
Formal equivalence doesn't work because Hebrew and Greek words, phrases, and idioms are different than English ones.
The best translation is one that remains faithful to the original meaning of the text but uses language that sounds as clear and natural to the modern reader as the Hebrew or Greek did to the original readers. … The best translation retains historical distance when it comes to history and culture, enabling the reader to enter the ancient world of the text, but eliminates that distance when it comes to language, using words and phrases that are clear and natural English.Use several versions. No version captures all the meaning. Different translations capture different facets of meaning. It's helpful to use formal, functional, and equivalent versions.
Translation is always a 2-step process: 1) Interpret meaning of text in original context. 2) Accurately convey meaning in receptor language. All translation involves interpretation.
How to overcome limitations of a Bible version
• Use multiple Bible versions.
• Read larger units of text to understand context, flow of text.
• Check commentaries.
• Gain better understanding of world of Bible (background, culture).
All versions lie on a spectrum between original meaning and contemporary relevance.
Strengths and weaknesses of translation types
Formal (literal)
• Goal: Comprehension. Alter Hebrew and Greek form until text is comprehensible.
• Versions: KJV, NKJV, NASU, NRSV, RSV, ESV.
• Strengths: Helps capture metaphors, verbal allusions, ambiguities.
• Weaknesses: Awkward English, obscurity, inaccuracy. Comprehension test often fails.
Mediating
• Goal: Clarity. Alter form until text is clear.
• Versions: NIV, TNIV, NAB, NJB, HCSB, NET.
• Strengths: Achieves both accuracy and clarity.
• Weaknesses: More interpretation, so greater margin for interpretive error. Sometimes uses unnatural English.
Functional (idiomatic)
• Goal: Naturalness. Alter form until text is natural.
Versions: NLT, NCV, GNT, GW, CEV.
• Strengths: Greatest comprehension. Communicates message clearly, naturally.
• Weaknesses: Even more interpretation, so greater margin for error. Sometimes loses nuances of meaning in pursuit of simplicity and clarity.
Inadequacies of a functional version are outweighed by benefits of comprehending God's Word.
Part 2: Making Words Work
Translating Words
Words can have many different meanings. Most words in any language don't have one "literal" or all-encompassing meaning, but a semantic range (range of potential senses). Translators can't translate "literally"; they must translate according to meaning in context.
Part 3: Translation and Culture
Cultural Issues in Translation
Because formal versions use language of original culture, they risk miscommunication with modern reader. Because functional versions change to contemporary language, they lose some cultural or historical or religious context.
Goal: transport readers to world of text, so they can understand what was originally heard.
Gender and Translation
Gender-neutral versions aren't about gender neutrality, but about gender accuracy. Goal isn't to eliminate gender distinctions, but to clarify them. Passages that refer exclusively to males should remain masculine, and references to females should remain feminine. When context shows that males and females are meant, gender-inclusive terms are more accurate.
Part 4: Other Translation Issues: Text and Presentation
The Question of the Original Text
1st task of translator is to know which words to translate, before they can think about how to translate.
Standard Hebrew text is Masoretic Text. Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah shows how accurate Masoretic Text is. Translators occasionally follow Septuagint rather than Masoretic, especially when Septuagint agrees with Dead Sea Scrolls. All contemporary English versions use Masoretic Text as primary source for OT.
There are no 2 manuscripts of NT that are exactly alike, even when we know one is a copy of another. Copyists made mistakes, mostly careless, but sometimes deliberate, as they tried to clarify or harmonize to a companion passage.
In manuscripts, quantity counts for very little; quality and age count for everything.
Majority Text includes centuries of copying errors. Early manuscripts are more valuable.
There is near unanimous agreement that Greek text used for contemporary English versions is very close to original text of NT. In small percentage of passages that are uncertain, you can be certain that original is in text or in footnote.
NKJV is only modern version that uses Textus Receptus. Textus Receptus agrees in most cases with Majority Text (majority of manuscripts), most of which are very late manuscripts. Total of manuscript differences make up a relatively small percentage of biblical texts, and seldom reflect important doctrines. NKJV includes footnotes with variant readings from Majority Text and Critical Text. Original reading is more often in footnote than text.
Most translational difficulties are related to one word being substituted for another, or a letter or word or phrase being added (or sometimes omitted) by scribes copying manuscripts. Scribes sometimes tried to "help out" an author by clarifying or "correcting" what they perceived as difficult readings. They usually added or rearranged words; omitting words was rare.
2 reasons KJV shouldn't be primary Bible: archaic language, scribes harmonized manuscripts.
Issues of Style and Format
"Sheol" is Hebrew for place of dead. Septuagint translators rendered it as "Hades" in Greek. "Gehenna" originally meant Valley of Hinnom, where children were sacrificed to Molech (2 Kings 23:10). In Jesus' time, it was city dump where bodies of criminals were burned, and which burned constantly. Jesus used "Gehenna" to describe Hell, and most modern translations render "Gehenna" as "Hell."
Most English stylists say pronouns, including those referring to God, should be lowercase. Capitalizing them can distort meaning, such as capitalization of pronouns referring to Jesus when quoting those who didn't believe Jesus was God (Matt 12:38).
Part 5: The Bible in English
Contemporary Bible Versions
HCSB strives for "optimal equivalence" (balance between words and thoughts). It follows Critical Text and supplies many alternative readings from Textus Receptus and Majority Text in footnotes.
Authors recommend any of 25 versions covered in book.
March 4, 2022
2.5 stars
I didn't disagree with a lot of this, but I found the tone a bit full of itself. Unlike many books I've read on the subject, the authors don't assume their readers already know common translation theory terms, which is a plus since the book purports to introduce the basics. But issues are often discussed so briefly, followed by, "So of course this particular way of thinking is correct," that I don't think newcomers to the subject will walk away with any real understanding, and people already familiar with it already have their opinions and aren't likely to be swayed.
If you're new to translation theory and curious to start learning about it, this isn't the worst. But personally I would recommend One Bible, Many Versions: Are All Translations Created Equal? by Dave Brunn instead.
I didn't disagree with a lot of this, but I found the tone a bit full of itself. Unlike many books I've read on the subject, the authors don't assume their readers already know common translation theory terms, which is a plus since the book purports to introduce the basics. But issues are often discussed so briefly, followed by, "So of course this particular way of thinking is correct," that I don't think newcomers to the subject will walk away with any real understanding, and people already familiar with it already have their opinions and aren't likely to be swayed.
If you're new to translation theory and curious to start learning about it, this isn't the worst. But personally I would recommend One Bible, Many Versions: Are All Translations Created Equal? by Dave Brunn instead.
January 9, 2023
“How to Choose a Translation for All its Worth” is a well written, informative, and useful book that I heartly would recommend, even though I am not convinced of all the arguments in the book. The book has a lot of examples, which I find informative and quite helpful.
As a Norwegian I don’t think version like ESV and CSB are hard to read and understand and I think Fee and Strauss exaggerate the difficulty of reading a more formal equivalent version when it comes to understanding the language. I also think believers can benefit from doing the job of looking up Hebrew and Greek idioms. But I do agree the usefulness of reading several versions, that included mediating and functional equivalent versions.
The authors were both involved in the TNIV translation and sometimes I feel they have a bias for this translation.
If you want other perspectives, I also recommend Leland Ryken’s book “The ESV and the English Bible Legacy”. Köstenberger and Croteau (ed) has also written a good book relevant to this subject: “Which Bible Translation Should I use?”
As a Norwegian I don’t think version like ESV and CSB are hard to read and understand and I think Fee and Strauss exaggerate the difficulty of reading a more formal equivalent version when it comes to understanding the language. I also think believers can benefit from doing the job of looking up Hebrew and Greek idioms. But I do agree the usefulness of reading several versions, that included mediating and functional equivalent versions.
The authors were both involved in the TNIV translation and sometimes I feel they have a bias for this translation.
If you want other perspectives, I also recommend Leland Ryken’s book “The ESV and the English Bible Legacy”. Köstenberger and Croteau (ed) has also written a good book relevant to this subject: “Which Bible Translation Should I use?”
Read
August 24, 2021This book is a good introduction to the issues involved in translation of the Bible. The information presented here will serve as a launching pad for the reader as they seek to make an informed decision about which version of the Bible to use. There are also a lot of resources presented at the end of each chapter for those who want to go further into the concepts discussed. I would recommend this for someone who has not given much thought to translations before, but is ready to spend a little time studying the subject.
March 30, 2022
This is a useful reference. It is slightly outdated. It does bring out the reality that it is important to know if your Bible was translated by committee or individual, and who was on that committee. Does that committee strive to be objective, or do they have a particular bent in their beliefs that manipulates the way they interpret the Bible. It is clear that Bible translation always includes interpretation, and that it is best to consult multiple versions for study.
March 13, 2023
MUST READ! Though compact and quite short, this book contains very helpful insights into the process and importance of Biblical translation (particularly into English). The whole spectrum is covered here, with helpful references for further reading included. If you find yourself wanting to know more about the process of translation, which translation to use and what translations are out there—this is the place to look!
April 23, 2024
Very good. Full of examples. Good chat about the genitive. I learned that the KJV has a use of the singular "their" (in Matthew 18:35). Nothing much new for the reader who has spend some time on the topic. The authors do not fall in the ever-popular-among-conservatives "literal/formal is better" school of thought.
August 4, 2024
Great overview of the details and difficulties of Bible translation. The authors lean a little more towards dynamic equiv. philosophy than I do, but their explanations are top notch. Recommendable for those who want to understand the need for and process of translation.
Used for Teaching Sunday School on 8/4/24, notes in Onenote workbook.
Used for Teaching Sunday School on 8/4/24, notes in Onenote workbook.
July 16, 2022
Truly fantastic and accessible overview not only of many Bible translations, but of what kinds of translations exist and what different purposes they serve/goals they aim for. Made me really excited to go try some new translations, and I feel like I can do it in a more educated way now
November 24, 2022
Great for
great unbiased explanation of the difference between most bible version - each bible’s approach to interpretation and each versions basic purpose - detailed explanation of different ways to interpret original scripture
great unbiased explanation of the difference between most bible version - each bible’s approach to interpretation and each versions basic purpose - detailed explanation of different ways to interpret original scripture
November 28, 2022
A good guide to helping the layperson understand the process of Bible translation and the differences in translation philosophy. My main complaint is I think they were overly critical of formal equivalence and overstated its weaknesses.
May 11, 2019
Does what it set out to. Looks at various different English translations of the bible and why you might want one over another.
January 7, 2020
Little more than a book-sized advertisement for the awful TNIV “Bible.”
July 20, 2021
Facile et rapide à lire tout en étant très complet.
June 13, 2023
An excellent, well-balanced, logical explanation to how the Bible has been translated and how we can choose a good translation.
October 17, 2023
Excellent overview to the challenges of translation. Specifically here about the bible, but all the issues are applicable to translation in general. Well and evenly presented.
August 31, 2024
Should have been titled "Formal Equivalence is stupid." That's pretty much the running theme of the book.
February 4, 2017
Does a very good job explaining the difficulties of translation. They showed some of the potential pitfalls of both formal and functional equivalence.
Much of the book, however, felt like a polemic against formal equivalence. It seemed a little one-sided in this regard. The book was destined for this from the start based on how the authors' define what a good translation is: 1) "imitating as closely as possible the words and grammar of the Hebrew or Greek text," and 2) "producing idiomatic, natural-sounding English." That second requirement is key. Seems to be almost begging the question. Not that I necessarily disagree with the authors' conclusion, so long as readers aren't surprised that the book arrives at the only acceptable place the original definition allows. But what else should one expect from Zondervan & the editors who themselves produced the TNIV translation? One can hardly expect them to be fair and unbiased on this subject, and it is good that they acknowledge this.
That being said, this book helped me grow in my appreciation and understanding of functional equivalent translations. Right now, probably my favorite translation is the HCSB/CSB.
Much of the book, however, felt like a polemic against formal equivalence. It seemed a little one-sided in this regard. The book was destined for this from the start based on how the authors' define what a good translation is: 1) "imitating as closely as possible the words and grammar of the Hebrew or Greek text," and 2) "producing idiomatic, natural-sounding English." That second requirement is key. Seems to be almost begging the question. Not that I necessarily disagree with the authors' conclusion, so long as readers aren't surprised that the book arrives at the only acceptable place the original definition allows. But what else should one expect from Zondervan & the editors who themselves produced the TNIV translation? One can hardly expect them to be fair and unbiased on this subject, and it is good that they acknowledge this.
That being said, this book helped me grow in my appreciation and understanding of functional equivalent translations. Right now, probably my favorite translation is the HCSB/CSB.
October 20, 2025
Very straight forward summary of how translations work (or should work), followed by a analysis of English translations of the Bible. I would have rated the book at 5 stars, but it did not seem to go far enough into detail about the translation process, even if that was not the main point of the book. For example Fee touches on idioms and metaphors, but does not then to go on to delve into issues with general figures of speech. See generally Ethelbert Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible: Explained and Illustrated. Translation is constrained in part by the need for economy in words. The translation can capture more aspects and pieces of the underlying meaning, sense, reference, but then heads down the road to paraphrasis, finally devolving into commentary. Nonetheless, it would have been interesting to get Fee's view on how to handle other figures of speech.
November 7, 2016
The Good:
Provides clear and helpful information about the history of translation and the entire process involved. They explain what they mean when using technical ideas and jargon. And, they offer clear critique of the twenty or so versions they survey.
The Bad:
At every turn, they are clearly "biased" toward a particular kind of bible translation (mainly less "literal" and more meaning based translation approaches). They do not hide this bias (which is nice). And, they provide a clear explanation about what a "literal" translation approach means. So, this is not meant to be a slight against versions that use this approach. It is just not their preferred approach.
I would have given it 4 stars if it had not been so tilted in one particular direction. This is still an invaluable resource to have in your library for the study of bible translations, and I will be referring back to it.
Provides clear and helpful information about the history of translation and the entire process involved. They explain what they mean when using technical ideas and jargon. And, they offer clear critique of the twenty or so versions they survey.
The Bad:
At every turn, they are clearly "biased" toward a particular kind of bible translation (mainly less "literal" and more meaning based translation approaches). They do not hide this bias (which is nice). And, they provide a clear explanation about what a "literal" translation approach means. So, this is not meant to be a slight against versions that use this approach. It is just not their preferred approach.
I would have given it 4 stars if it had not been so tilted in one particular direction. This is still an invaluable resource to have in your library for the study of bible translations, and I will be referring back to it.
January 5, 2012
Incredibly helpful in understanding Bible translation, taking D.A. Carson's brief explanation re: the gender-inclusive language debate to a whole new level and adding all kinds of other helpful insight for the average joe (like me!). I greatly appreciated this book and now have a much better (and less biased) grasp of what really goes into the work of translation and what is useful about different approaches to translation. Probably most notably for me, this drastically deepened and shifted my thinking about "word-for-word" translation.
April 9, 2015
Good, informative read!
I really appreciate Dr. Fee's down to earth approach to the science of translation. Although I got lost in the "wordiness" of some of the more grammar oriented pages, I really enjoyed this reference on bible translations and learning more about how they come about. One thing I did notice is the constant undertone that the "TNIV" is somehow the best translation right now; wish the author could have been a little more balanced in his review. Other than that it is a great tool for understanding what the translation fuss is all about!
I really appreciate Dr. Fee's down to earth approach to the science of translation. Although I got lost in the "wordiness" of some of the more grammar oriented pages, I really enjoyed this reference on bible translations and learning more about how they come about. One thing I did notice is the constant undertone that the "TNIV" is somehow the best translation right now; wish the author could have been a little more balanced in his review. Other than that it is a great tool for understanding what the translation fuss is all about!
April 21, 2014
Every bit as good as "How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth". It is like an expansion and update of one of the early chapters from that book. As in its predecessor, Fee shows great bias toward the NIV and it is apparent in the reading. Nevertheless, a solid help for choosing a good translation of the Bible.
February 29, 2008
So informative and well written. Great insight that every translation requires some interpretation -- even the ones that claim to be 'literal.' We need different translations for different reasons. Read this book to find out which for what. :)
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