Are you overwhelmed by all the different Bible versions? With the King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), New Living Translation (NLT), and even paraphrases like The Message—it can be confusing to know which one is right for you.
In this episode of Behind the Mike Podcast, Mike Stone breaks down why there are so many Bible translations, the differences between them, and how to choose the one that will help you grow in your walk with God.
We’ll explore:
• The history of Bible manuscripts and translations
• The three main translation styles: word-for-word, thought-for-thought, and paraphrase
• Strengths and weaknesses of popular versions like KJV, NIV, ESV, NLT, CSB, and The Message
• How to select a Bible that fits your purpose: study, devotion, history, or academic use
• Why there’s no “perfect” Bible version—but there is one that’s right for you
👉 Challenge: Read your favorite passage (like John 3:16 or Psalm 23) in three different translations this week. Notice what stands out to you!
📖 Comment below: What’s your go-to Bible version and why?
👍 If this helped you, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share. Keep seeking, keep learning, and keep your eyes on Jesus!
#bible #bibleversions #christian #biblereading #behindthemikepodcast #mikestone
⏱️ Chapter Markers:
00:00 – The Bible version dilemma
00:27 – Why are there so many translations?
01:41 – Manuscripts & translation choices
02:16 – How we got the Bible we have today
04:22 – 3 main translation philosophies
06:28 – Comparing John 3:16 in different versions
06:57 – Quick tour of popular Bible versions
09:01 – How to choose the right Bible for you
10:04 – Bible reading challenge for this week
10:56 – Final encouragement & subscribe
Episode Transcript
Let me ask you something.
If you walked intoa bookstore today
and you looked at thatgiant Bible section, which one
would you choose?
There's the King James,the NIV, ESV, the message,
the Living Bible.
It can be overwhelming.
And here's the thing.
Bible sales are actually boomingright now.
In fact, sales of Bibles jumpedmore than 20% just last year,
(00:23):
even while most print booksdeclined.
People are searching for answersand they're reaching
for God's Word.
So today, we're divinginto a question.
A lot of people ask,why are there
so many Bible versions,and how do I know
which one is right for me?
This isn't about picking the oneperfect Bible translation
(00:46):
because that doesn't exist.
But it is about understandingthe differences
and the strengthsand the purpose behind them.
So you can pick the right onethat helps you grow in your walk
with God.
We're going to talk about that.
(01:09):
All right.
So let's start with the obvious.
Why are there so manyversions of the Bible.
Well, it comes downto two main factors
the manuscripts and thetranslation choices.
So let's talk aboutthe manuscripts.
The Old Testament was writtenmostly in Hebrew,
(01:30):
with some Aramaic,the New Testament Greek.
And when translators go backto those ancient manuscripts,
they have to make decisions.
You see, some words don't have a1 to 1 match in English.
Second, the translation choicesdo you go as literal
(01:52):
as possible, word for word,or do you smooth it out?
Thought for thought.
So it reads more naturally.
And then if you add in history,denominational influences,
cultural shifts like inclusion,language updates,
(02:12):
you start to see whythere isn't just one
English Bible.
Each translation is trying tofaithfully communicate
God's Wordto a specific audience.
Before we go deeper intotranslations, let's zoom out
for a minute and ask,how did we even get the Bible
we have today?
Well, in case you don't know,the Bible isn't just one book.
(02:34):
It's a library of66 books written
over 1500 years agoby more than 40
different authors.
There were shepherds, kings,prophets, fishermen,
even a doctor.
And yet it tells oneunified story of God's
plan of redemption.
The Old Testamentwas written in Hebrew
(02:55):
with some Aramaic.
These were the sacredwritings of Israel.
There was history andlore, poetry and prophecy.
The New Testament, as Imentioned, was written in Greek,
the common languageof the first century.
It contains the Gospels,the history of the early church,
and acts, the letters of Pauland others.
(03:19):
And then, of course, revelation.
So how did all these writingscome together?
Well, earlyChristians recognized
certain books as being inspiredby God.
They were collected, affirmed,and passed down.
The Old Testament canonconfirmed by Jesus
and the apostles,and the New Testament
(03:41):
canon widely recognizedby the church.
By the fourth century.
And here's the amazing part.
We have thousandsof ancient manuscripts,
far more than any otherancient work.
And that's why translators todaycan work with
incredible accuracyand confidence.
So when you hold a Bible,you're holding the product
(04:03):
of God's inspiration,faithfully preserved
by his peoplethroughout history.
And that's whytranslations matter.
Because the goal is to carrythat same inspired message
clearly into our language today.
So now let's look at howtranslations actually work.
(04:26):
Translators usually followone of three main philosophies.
First, formal equivalence,sometimes called word for word.
This includes the KingJames Version,
the English StandardVersion, ESV, and the New
American Standard Bible, NASB.
(04:47):
These aim for accuracyto the original words.
So that's great for study,but sometimes it can feel stiff
and harder to read.
For example,
John 3 (04:58):
16 in the ESV says, For God so loved the world
that he gave his only son, thatwhoever believes in him
should not perishbut have eternal life.
It's precise, feels classic.
Second, dynamic equivalence,which is thought for thought.
(05:20):
The NIV and the NLT fit.
Here the goal is to capturethe meaning in natural English.
Easier to read, sometimesmore interpretive.
The new Living Translation
puts John 3 (05:33):
16 this way.
For this ishow God loved the world,
he gave his one and only son,so that everyone who believes in
him will not perishbut have eternal life.
Same truth.
Just a smoother flow.
And the third paraphrase.
(05:54):
Think of the message.
This isn't a strict translationat all.
It's retellingin today's language
for devotion.
It can make familiar verseshit fresh.
So John 3 (06:08):
16 in the message reads like this.
This is how much Godloved the world.
He gave his Sonhis one and only son.
And this is why.
So that no one needsto be destroyed
by believing in him.
Anyone can have a wholeand lasting life.
(06:28):
You see the difference.
Each has a purpose.
Word for word pullsyou close to the text.
Thought for thoughtkind of makes it flow.
To paraphrase,makes it conversational.
All right, so let's take a quicktour of some of the most
popular Bible versions and whypeople choose them.
(06:53):
King James Version, KJVthe granddaddy.
Over 400 years old.
Poetic, beautifuland still beloved.
But the English is1600s English,
so it can be toughfor modern readers.
Then there's the newinternational Version,
and I've probablythe most widely used today.
It's balanced between accuracyand readability, and it's great
(07:16):
for general use.
Then we have the EnglishStandard Version or ESV.
This version is formalbut literary.
It's loved by many evangelicaland reformed circles.
It's also strong for study.
New Living Bible Translation,or NLT.
It's very readable.
It's great for new believers,devotional reading or
(07:39):
just soaking in Scripture.
Then we have theChristian Standard Bible or CSB.
It's a newer translationthat tries to hit the sweet spot
between accuracyand readability.
And it is gaining popularity.
Then we have the new RevisedStandard Version,
NRSV or NRSVue.
(08:01):
It's widely used inacademic and mainline
Protestant contexts.
It's known for inclusivityand careful scholarship.
Then we have the message again,not a translation,
but a paraphrase.
It's very popularfor devotional use
and hearing scripturewith fresh ears.
Now, are you noticing something?
(08:24):
Each of these Bibleshas a place.
The King James Versionconnects you with history.
The NIV gives balance.
The ESV digs deep.
The NLT speaks plainlyand the message
makes it personal.
None of these are really wrong.
They're just different tools.
(08:45):
I personally have a libraryof all of those and more,
and I switch between themas I need to.
So how do you pickthe right Bible for you?
Well, ask yourself this.
What's my purpose?
If you want deep study,I would suggest
digging into the ESV,the NASB, or the CSB.
(09:10):
If you just wantsome devotional reading.
Then look at the NLTor the message that might speak
to your heart.
Certainly, if you love traditionand history, then
go straight to the KingJames Version.
It's rich and timeless.
If you're doing academic work,the New Revised
Standard Version,Nrsv, is often a go to.
(09:35):
Here's a little secret.
You don't have to pickjust one Bible.
Apps make it very easyto compare side by side
translations.
In fact, sometimes readinga verse in 3 or 4 translations
is the best wayto catch its full depth.
So here's the bottom line.
(09:56):
There's no single perfectBible translation,
but there is a rightBible for you, right now.
In this season of life,just know the differences.
What each one is for.
This week I wantto challenge you.
Take one verse that you love.
Maybe it's John 3 (10:14):
16.
Maybe it's Psalm 23.
Or maybe it'sone of my favorites.
The entire chapter of Psalm 139read it in three
different translationsand notice what stands out.
Notice what feels fresh.
And then let me know what's yourgo to version and why.
Drop a comment.
(10:34):
I'd love to hear your story.
Remember, the goal isn'tjust to read words on a page.
It's to let God's Wordread us to shape
us, to guide us,and to draw us closer to him.
Hopefullythis was helpful to you.
If so, please hitthat subscribe button.
(10:56):
Like this.
Share it with someone.
And until nexttime, keep seeking,
keep learning, and keep youreyes on Jesus.
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