Some folks think King James Version translation of the bible is closer to the original text. Even swear by it and insists every one has to use it. This may be so provided you understand old English, as old as Shakespeare and Queen Victoria.

The chain is as strong as the weakest link. In this case the weak link is not the accuracy of the translation but the language ability of the modern day reader.

I grew up with King James Bible and American Standard Version which my prejudiced view thinks they have wonderful prose. If only every one uses it. Indeed my sister studied the KJV in the university as a literature text. But then…how many of us are English literature major?

A modern reader is bound to read with a modern slant raising befuddled questions even if the text is better translation of the original Greek and Hebrew.

Example:

1)What do you understand by the word ‘without’?
[1] Hebrews 13:11-12 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned WITHOUT the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered WITHOUT the gate.

My reaction as a modern reader is to assume it means “don’t have”. E.g. I left home without my keys.

So it is odd that the sacrifice is burned not having the camp and Jesus suffered with no gate?? Why did he need a gate for? what gate? Strange, isn’t it?

To my surpise I later learned in old English it meant the opposite of ‘within’ so we have withOUT and withIN. Or in our modern world it means Outside!!

Thus the meaning of the verses above is that the sacrifice was done outside the camp and Jesus suffered outside the city gate of Jerusalem.

2) Another example is the word “wonderful”

[2] Judges 13:18 And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is wonderful? ( ASV)
[3] Psalms 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

What does wonderful mean to you? I thought it meant fantastic or marvellous.

In [2] Judges 13:18 Manoah, childless father of yet to be born Samson asked the angel what his name was. The angel’s reply was Wonderful. My name is Fantastic! Marvellous! Sounds like one of the Fantastic Four Marvel heroes.

The Hebrew word comes from pela or pala which means difficult, full of wonder or impossible. The angel was informing Manoah that the God who could do the Impossible had responded to his prayers.

The Psalmist is saying certain knowledge is full of wonder, impossible for him to grasp. He is not going to take more than he can chew! He will be like a weaned child and be at peace and let God takes care.

Our God is Wonderful, He does the Impossible, too full of wonders thus wonder-full.

Comparing bible versions is a good way of study. The purpose is to look out for similarities and differences which will give you a dead give-away that something is amiss in whatever you have been taught.

Let’s look at the word STUDY. This is a favourite quote if you have been in the churches of Christ for a long time. Newer Christians who study the bible with NKJV or NIV may not have this problem.

[5] 2 Timothy 2:15 STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

As a modern reader, how do you understand the word ’study’?
Most would immediately think it is bible study. More study, more better, yes?

My reaction is, if this is so, does it mean those who are less studious or literate will be able “to shew themselves approved”? Are they to be ashamed? Is this verse limiting our understanding solely to book study and nothing else?

How does book study influence interpretation of other verses? e.g.[6] Hebrews 5:12-13 For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.

I was told once that eating meat here means study more “cheem” stuff in Greek and Hebrew. If so , what happen if you are not smart enough?

If you compare with New KJV, NIV even old English ASV and the Chinese bible you will find something unusual.
e.g. ASV [5] 2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

What is the difference between ’study’ and ‘diligence’? Do they mean the same?

Study in the modern day context is an activity associated with book study. Diligence refers to one’s attitude and effort. Is diligence limited to book study?

The Greek word in the text is spoudazo which means diligent, give your utmost, zealous. Study may be correct translation if you think like Shakespeare , as in “study that man who is a suspect” where study here means to be focused and put effort into examining the suspect. It certainly does not mean buying a book from MPH about the suspect or attend a class on that subject.

SPOUDAZO is used elsewhere as in:
[8] Galatians 2:9-10 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was zealous/forward(spoudazo) to do.

[9] Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring(spoudazo) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

[10] Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour(spoudazo) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

If you read the Chinese bible, the word used is jie li which means give your utmost or put your utmost energy into……

Diligence will include many aspects and I do believe it includes bible study but not limited to it.

So for [11] 2 Tim 2:15 if you are a workman and you are to be diligent so that your work is approved, what is the product that will be inspected for approval by God?

How is a novice carpenter’s competence assessed? By his workmanship as seen in the furniture he made. A Master carpenter will see whether the carpentry of the chair or cupboard or table was well done before he certifies his workman. So spiritually if you are being assessed as a workman of God in His spiritual work, what part of you will be examined? What is the product of God’s Spirit at work? Where do you apply “rightly dividing (orthotomeo) the word of God” in order that you are an approved workman?

Does the answer lie in these verses?
Orthotomeo means making a straight cut. The root word for tomeo is used in Heb.4:12 meaning “sharper”.

What is sharp and where does it cut?

[12] 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.