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faq:the-bible:inerrancy

Are all translations the inerrant word of God?

No, all translations aren't the inerrant word of God, only the original Greek and Hebrew are. Translations try to be as accurate to the original as possible but there are disagreements between the translations that are significant enough that one or both of them must be wrong or at least incomplete. Take for example, 1 Cor 7:36.

NASB: But if anyone thinks that he is acting dishonorably toward his virgin, if she is past her youth and it ought to be so, let him do what he wishes, he is not sinning; let them marry.

Amplified Bible: But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly and honorably toward his virgin daughter, [by not permitting her to marry], if she is past her youth, and it must be so, let him do as he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.

KJV: But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

NET: If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry.

CSB: If any man thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage, and he feels he should marry—he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married.

NIV: If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married.

NLT: But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin.

The NASB and Amplified Bibles specifically say this is about a virgin daughter while the CSB, NIV and NLT say it is about a virgin fiancé. The KJV and NET are ambiguous. If the NASB and Amplified are correct, then the CSB, NIV and NLT are incorrect and vice versa. At the very least they are all incomplete if it is supposed to refer to both daughters and fiancés. Either way, they can't all be the inerrant word of God, since they say different things. Which one is correct is only important if you have a virgin fiancé or daughter. Perhaps the KJV and NET handle it the best by being ambiguous and covering both possibilities.

The most important take away though it that all of the major translations agree about the important salvation related things. It is only in a few minor details that they differ.

faq/the-bible/inerrancy.txt · Last modified: by kbieb