Dear Editor,
Do we ever spare a thought (or a prayer) for Bible translators? Are we grateful for the fruit of their labours, providing us with an essential source of spiritual nourishment?
Getting it right can be far from easy. By way of illustration here are four different translations of a well known phrase in Hebrews 12.2.
‘Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.’ (AV, 1611). ‘Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’ (NIV, 1992 edition). ‘Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.’ (ESV, 2001). ‘Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.’ (NIV, 2011 edition).
The italics in the AV tell us that the word ‘our’ is not in the Greek text. Despite the absence of manuscript support, ‘our’ has featured in several subsequent translations. Is the 2011 edition of the NIV the first English translation to omit it? It’s worth taking a few moments to consider this version.
The Greek term translated ‘pioneer’ corresponds linguistically to the ‘arch’ part of words like ‘arch-enemy’ and ‘archbishop’. An archbishop could be described as the foremost among bishops. He is (or tries to be) a leader and trail blazer, who sets a standard for others to follow.
In Hebrews 12.2, Jesus is portrayed as a pioneer or trail blazer who set the standard for faith. In his unblemished human nature he displayed throughout his life an unwavering faith in his heavenly Father. He became the ‘perfecter of faith’ by trusting his Father to the very end even though he was momentarily forsaken as a result of being made sin for us (Matthew 27.46, 2 Corinthians 5.21). It was by faith that Jesus was able to pray in Gethsemane: ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done’ (Luke 22.42).
Martin Luther would have approved of the NIV’s 2011 rendering. It looks uncannily like an English version of Luther’s rendering of the same phrase in his German translation of the New Testament, published in 1522. Luther seems to have been nearly 500 years ahead of us in producing an accurate translation at this point.
There are many wonderful examples of faith in Hebrews 11, but Jesus surpasses them all. His faith enabled him to endure the cross (Hebrews 12.2). In the light of that matchless example, we are urged to ‘consider him...’ (Hebrews 12.3). The more we do so, the greater will be our incentive to live the life of faith in a way that pleases and honours our Lord.
Yours in Christ,
