ESV Bibles in the Pews

CLPC has new bibles in our pews. Several months ago the session and I began exploring replacing our New International Version (NIV) bibles with the English Standard Version (ESV). There are many fine bible versions on the market today and our corporate study of the scripture is enhanced by using a variety of translations. With that said, here are a few reasons why the session concurred with my recommendation to update our pew bibles.

First, the ESV, first published in 2001, takes a more literal approach to translation than the NIV. While the NIV seeks to translate thought-for-thought, the ESV translates the original Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) more closely word-for-word. An essentially literal translation, like the ESV, allows students of the scripture to draw conclusions independent of the bias of the translators. For instance, in Romans chapter eight the NIV translators consistently use the English phrase "sinful nature" to translate the single Greek word sarx,which literally means "flesh." While the NIV draws the interpretive conclusion that sarx (flesh) means "sinful nature," the ESV allows readers to draw their own conclusions by translating the word as simply "flesh."

Secondly, the ESV cleans up some of the unnecessary male gender bias reflected in the NIV. For instance, compare the way each bible version translates 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

(NIV) ¹²If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. ¹⁴If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

(ESV) ¹²Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

At other points, the ESV intentionally maintains the male language of the original languages so the reader, again, is invited to take Scripture on its own terms rather than depending on the assumptions of the translators.

Lastly, the ESV is widely available in a variety of platforms and study bible formats. You can easily find the ESV for your iPhone, iPad, smart phone and Kindle. The ESV Study Bible (which I personally use on my Kindle) is a solid resource for bible students.

You can find other resources and read more about the translation philosophy of the ESV on their website at www.esv.org.