Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Serve - Sever - Veers - Verse (08/14/25)
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TITLE: Jesus Did Not Speak English | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
08/18/25 -
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I received my first KJV Bible as a Christmas present at a young age, and it would play a significant role in my upbringing.
Along the way, the Sunday School leadership chose to adopt a Living New Testament version of Scripture, as it provided an easier read for younger children, whereas the KJV would remain the “go to” source for spiritual edification.
It wasn’t until decades later, when I began studying for my ordination, that I learned that Bibles that have been translated into the English (or any other) language are, at best, only good (or not so good) translations of the original manuscripts that were inspired (1) and written in the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic languages.
There is an old saying that something can be lost in the translation. Biblical disciples (students and appliers of Scripture) will concede that this is certainly the case in the translations and application of Scripture over the course of the Church Age.
This is especially true due to the imposed limitations and inherent ambiguity of the English language.
Time and space does not permit me to cite all the numerous examples, but here are just a few.
When accurately translated, Exodus 20: 13 does not teach that one shall not “kill,” but that one shall not “murder.”
God cannot be true to His own nature if He were to do something (or instruct us to do something) that He has labeled sin.
Accordingly, the taking of human lives accidentally, when in self-defense, military or police service, or when imposing capital punishment, is not sin.
Another classic example is the use of the word “love.” The original Greek language makes clear distinctions between the different types of love being referenced in various verses of Scripture, that is not made clear in the English language.
Trying to apply one type of love when the verse is speaking of another, will generate confusion and false guilt trips. Love for our enemies is not the same type of love that we are to have for God, or that we have for others with whom we share a personal relationship.
. . .
1Cor. 13 is often quoted at wedding ceremonies, but ironically, is not speaking of personal love between married couples. It is speaking of unconditional love. It is unconditional love that “endures all things,” etc., whereas personal love can turn to hate in a heartbeat, for many different reasons.
. . .
In addition to language issues, I learned early on that there were NO chapter or verse breaks in the original manuscripts. These distinctions were the work of various translators to make quick reference points to assist in locating individual passages or verses of Scripture.
With the writing of John’s Revelation around 96 AD, all of what would become New Testament Scripture was completed, but there was no Chapter or verse indicators in the format of the original (scrolls) manuscripts.
Chapter and verse indicators did provide future disciples with ready-made points of reference, but it contributed to opening of the door for the isolation of individual verses, and or taking them out of context.
Such misuse of Scripture can make the Bible appear to say or to justify just about anything that a clever manipulator of Scripture desires.
The devil used this strategy during the temptations of the Lord Jesus Christ during the 40 days in the wilderness (2).
The devil was unsuccessful when interacting with Jesus, but has been quite successful (3 interacting with individuals and groups of individuals, whose lack or rejection of Biblical knowledge (4), sets the stage for such deception.
In closing, keep in mind that although an edified soul structure (5) is built verse by verse (6), one can be easily deceived if he or she does not take into consideration the historical setting, the significance of the original languages, and comparing all of the individual verses that relate to any given spiritual issue.
Through Biblical discipleship, a new or a better understanding of Scripture will emerge, calling for an ongoing need to adjust the existing doctrine in our soul structures, and its accompanying application and practices.
No adjustments means no moving forward along the road to spiritual maturity.
Securing salvation is a one-time event, but discipleship is a life-long journey, with the ultimate objective of participating in the Great Commission (7), evangelizing and or edifying others.
(1) 2Tim. 3: 16, 17 (2) Matt. 4/Luke 4 (3) Matt. 7: 14/Rev. 12: 9 (4) Hosea 4: 6 (5) Matt. 7: 24-27 (6) Isa. 28: 13 (7) Matt. 28: 19, 20
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