God commands us to hide specific words, which He calls “these words”, in our hearts. (De 6:6) They are His words; we call them holy scriptures (2Ti 3:15), given by inspiration of God. (16)
Keeping this command may seem straightforward until we note [1] that no one today has the original manuscript of any part of the Bible (only copies of copies exist today, and they aren’t all identical), and [2] that most us don’t understand all the original languages the scriptures were written in. If we don’t have access to the actual words of the autographs and actually understand these paticular words, how can we obey this basic, foundational instruction? (Ja 1:22)
To resolve this, observe that God’s purpose in giving us scripture is to fully equip us unto all good works. (2Ti 3:17) If inspiration is confined to the autographs, the purpose of God in inspiring scripture cannot be achieved since most all believers don’t have access to them. So, if God needs to preserve the inspiration of His word across the boundaries of language and time to accomplish His purpose, which is to equip His people to live for Him, then we may safely conclude that He has done so. It is evidently consistent with scripture to expect the inspired words of God to be available today in languages we understand so we can obey Him in this command.
Hiding the words of God in our hearts, meditating on them day and night (Ps 1:2), and treasuring them (Je 15:16), is God’s loving design for us. (De 6:7-8) He does not intend for us to spend our time trying to figure what these words are, but rather in trusting, understanding and obeying the words He has inspired. (Ja 1:21)
Consider our options if this is not the case; if God has not reliably preserved His Word for us in an inspired form we can readily access and understand. If what we actually have are numerous faulty translations of His word which are all imperfect, containing mistakes and errors of various kinds which no one can clearly identify and correct, then what are we to do? If we cannot trust any particular text as inspired, what becomes our ultimate spiritual authority? Do we pick and choose which translation we prefer based on how we feel? Do we defer to religious institutions or organizations and try to outsource our ultimate spiritual welfare to them? This is not God’s design.
Memorizing a text which we do not implicitly trust, which we do not intend to submit ourselves to, is perhaps good for personal discipline, and we may pick up much of God’s truth in the process. But when it comes to correcting us where we are out of the way, we may tend to disregard it since it is not our ultimate authority. We will not be able to renew our minds where we are unwilling to be corrected.
And if we’re thinking the words themselves don’t matter as much as the ideas they express, we get into a sort of circular trap because we cannot express ideas without specific words, and it is not so easy to change the wording without changing some sense of the meaning, significance or nuance contained within them. In many cases, we may not be able to tell if the meaning has changed or presume the difference is inconsequential. In any case, we find ourselves dabbling in a space that is itself foreign to scripture. We should then ask ourselves what our motivation is for doing so. Are we clarifying the meaning and intent of the text based on our informed knowledge of the original intent? Or are we simply changing it based on our subjective, personal preference? In either case, how do we ensure we are dealing rightly with the words of God? (De 4:2)
And scripture itself is layered with meanings which may not be readily apparent as we read the text. Even after meditating on a text at length, we may come back to it and eventually see precious things which were hidden from us at first. (Ps 119:18) If we cannot be aware of all of the intended meanings and applications of any given text of scripture, how can we possibly correct it with any confidence? (Pr 30:6)
It would be nice if the scripture itself told us clearly what translation to use, but we are evidently tasked with seeking this truth out from God just as we are the understanding of truth of scripture itself. The task is not an easy one but it is essential. Thankfully, He promises to guide us into all truth as we seek Him earnestly in it. (Mt 7:7-8)