The Bible: It is All Greek to Me

The Bible was originally written using 11,280 Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words, yet the average English translation only contains about 6,000. This is not a problem for those who have the ability to study God's Word in the original languages, but the rest of us have to rely on the translation work of other scholars and theologians.

While all English translations are useful for studying God's Word, it is obvious why so many translations, and newer translations, are needed. The many descriptive and explanatory words used in the original languages need to be constantly put into words that we can understand in relation to our unique English speaking cultures.


I personally like to use BibleGateway.com and YouVersion's Bible app for my own personal Bible study time because I can choose from among dozens of translations as well as commentaries and Bible helps. It is also important that Christians become scholars of history so that we can better understand the cultural context of Scripture during the long time period that covers the recording of God's Words onto stone, animal skins, and paper.

God has used so many people, groups, and teams of theologians and scholars to pass on His Word to each of us in a language that we can read and understand. So as you pick up your favorite Bible translation today, thank God for providing it for you and for those who labored to bring it to you. And then dive right in and soak up the inspired Words of our Creator.

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