Category: Bible Translation and Interpretation

A Note on Divorce Terminology in the Bible

In this blog post, I give a brief overview of the Greek and Hebrew words used in the Bible for divorce.

April 10, 2022 15 Comments

“Brothers and Sisters” (Adelphoi) in Paul’s Letters

The Greek word adelphoi is used over 100 times in Paul’s letters. Is “brothers and sisters” or “siblings” an acceptable translation?

March 25, 2022 18 Comments

Junias and Junia in Early Commentaries of Romans 16:7

Here is a list of over a dozen early and medieval scholars who took Junia’s name in Romans 16:7 to be feminine. Junia was a woman and not Junias, a man.

November 13, 2019 17 Comments

Valiant or Virtuous? by Suzanne McCarthy

Here is a short review of Suzanne McCarthy’s book, Valiant or Virtuous?: Gender Bias in Bible Translation. Her book is on a topic close to my heart.

September 30, 2019 No Comments

Manhood and Masculinity in the ESV

The word “manhood” occurs twice in the English Standard Version. Does this word convey what Paul wanted to say in Eph. 4:13? In what other ways does the ESV create a masculine bias.

August 11, 2019 29 Comments

Authentein (in 1 Timothy 2:12), in a Nutshell

This short post looks at the verb authenteō (authentein) in 1 Tim. 2:12. My claim is that “to have/ exercise/ usurp authority” is an inadequate and misleading translation.

April 21, 2018 18 Comments

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 and Marrying your Rapist

Though it sounds harsh and heartless, even preposterous, to modern westerners, the Deuteronomy 22:28-29 law, for a rapist to marry his victim, was for the benefit of the raped woman. Here’s why.

January 15, 2018 63 Comments

Three Scholars with Two Views on Eve’s Role as Helper

What did Eve do to help Adam? Here are two very different views from three top scholars about Eve’s role as helper in Genesis 2.

October 26, 2017 17 Comments

teshuqah teshuqa desire devotion Genesis 3.16 pexels 1218483

Does Teshuqah mean Desire or Devotion in Genesis 3:16?

Is the Hebrew word teshuqah, traditionally translated as “desire” in Genesis 3:16, better translated as “single-minded concentration” or “devotion”?

October 4, 2016 15 Comments

Likewise women eshet chayil Lemuel's mother

Which Bible translation is best?

Many Christians are dissatisfied with English translations that seem biased towards men when, in fact, many passages are gender-inclusive. So, what is the best Bible translation?

October 1, 2016 100 Comments

God on Divorce (Malachi 2:16)

Here are some better translations of Malachi 2:16 that faithfully reflect the Hebrew grammar and do not have God saying, “I hate divorce.”

May 21, 2016 96 Comments

didaktikos, 1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:24

What does didaktikos mean in 1 Tim 3:2 and 2 Tim 2:24?

In 1 Timothy 3:2 and in 2 Timothy 2:24 is a rare Greek word, didaktikos. This word is usually translated as “able to teach” but it may mean “teachable.”

December 12, 2015 15 Comments

different translations, English Bibles, complementarian

The Politics of Bible Translations

Did you know that your preferred Bible translation could be a political act? And that the rhetoric about other translations is more about politics than reality?

October 1, 2014 7 Comments

“Workers at home” or “keepers at home” in Titus 2:5?

Titus 2:5 contains a word which is usually translated as “workers at home,” but the King James Bible has “keepers at home.” Which is the correct phrase? What is meant by “keepers at home”?

September 23, 2014 18 Comments

Why masculine pronouns can be misleading in English Bibles and in the Church

We need to use gender-accurate and gender-inclusive pronouns so that we do not imply a gender bias in the Bible and in church when none is intended.

September 11, 2014 25 Comments

King James Bible, New Living Translation NLT

7 things you may not know about the King James Bible

The King James Bible is a great English translation, but is it the best? This article looks at 7 aspects of the KJV translation.

December 18, 2013 61 Comments

Barbara Aland and the Nestle-Aland Greek NT

Most modern translations of the New Testament rely on the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. One of the editors of recent editions of this Greek New Testament is scholar Barbara Aland. This article provides a brief history of the Nestle-Aland text and a brief biography of Barbara Aland.

December 11, 2013 1 Comment

Using Greek-English Dictionaries and “Moving Bones”

Some wise words from C.S. Lewis, Wayne A. Meeks, and John H. Walton about learning the biblical languages, especially New Testament Greek.

November 6, 2012 8 Comments

The Authority and Authenticity of NT Scripture

Here are a couple of resources that I’ve found useful in regards to trusting the authority and authenticity of the New Testament.

June 24, 2012 No Comments

women bible scholars women bible translators

Women Bible Scholars and Translators in the Church

What does a woman with a call of God to minister do when she is prohibited from being a pastor? Many go back to school to do advanced degrees. How is this increase in biblical and theological scholarship from women being received by the church? And how will it affect the church?

January 7, 2012 11 Comments