Bible Translations: Old & New April 8, 2013 Issue

Digging deeper

Gordon Myers

My favorite translations of the Bible (in order) are the King James Version, The Message, and the New Living Translation. The King James has a sacred feel to it that will always have a special place in my heart. Major historical figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., have used its language in powerful ways. 

However, for me, the King James Version’s translation of the Greek word agape as “charity” instead of “love,” does not make as much sense today. It doesn’t flow well with modern language. In First Corinthians 13—which is read at many weddings—“charity,” which “never faileth,” just doesn’t sound nearly as uplifting, inspiring, or relevant as the word love. 

When I think of charity, I think of nonprofit organizations saving the rain forests and funding micro-loan projects in Africa. And while those human institutions do a lot of good, frankly they do sometimes “fail.” Whereas love based on divine Principle is something more profound to me, something people can relate to, and something that really can fit the bill of never failing. 