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) He tells us to live by every one of them. (Mt 4:4)
Keeping these commands may seem straightforward until we note that [1] no one today has the original manuscript of any part of the Bible (only copies of copies exist, and they aren’t all identical), and [2] most of us don’t understand the original languages of scripture. So, without reliable, consistent access to the actual words of the autographs, how can we live by God’s words and obey such basic, foundational instructions? (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 the intention of 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 intended effect of inspiration 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 act as if the inspired words of God are available today in a language we understand so we can obey Him in these core commands. (De 6:7-8)
Hiding the very words of God in our hearts, meditating on them day and night (Ps 1:2), and deeply treasuring every one of them (Je 15:16), is God’s loving design for us. (Ps 119:103) He does not intend for us to spend our time trying to figure what these words are, but rather to focus our energy in trusting, understanding and obeying His words as He has intentionally inspired them. (Ja 1:21)
Consider our options if this is not the case: if God has not reliably preserved His Word for us in a form that is sufficient to achieve His purpose in inspiration, within a written document which we can readily access and understand … if what we actually have are only faulty, imperfect translations of His Word, containing mistakes and errors of various kinds which no one can authoritatively and conclusively identify and correct, then what are we to do? If we cannot trust any particular text as if it were inspired, what becomes our ultimate spiritual authority? Do we pick and choose which translation we prefer in any given context based on how it makes us feel? Do we defer to religious institutions or organizations and try to outsource our ultimate spiritual welfare to them? This is not God’s intent.
Memorizing and meditating on a text which we do not implicitly trust as if it were God’s inspired, perfect, infallible Word (Pr 30:5), 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, and giving us insights essential to discerning and proving God’s will for our lives (Ro 12:2), we may tend to disregard it since we don’t accept it as our ultimate spiritual authority. We will not be able to renew our minds where we are mistrusting and unwilling to be guided, challenged and corrected. (1Pe 2:2)
And if we’re thinking the words themselves don’t matter as much as the ideas they express, we get into sort of a circular trap because we cannot express ideas without specific words, and it is not so easy to change the wording in a non-trivial manner without also changing some sense of the meaning, significance or nuance expressed. We may not be able to tell if or how the meaning has changed with different wording, or presume the difference is inconsequential. In any case, we find ourselves dabbling in a space that is itself foreign to scripture, for which most all of us are deeply ill-equipped. (1Pe 3:16)
We should then ask ourselves what our motivation is for wanting to modify scripture. Are we clarifying the meaning and intent of the text based on an 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 are becoming familiar with the text. Even after meditating on a particular passage at length, we may come back to it later and discover precious things which were hidden from us at first. (Ps 119:18) If we are not 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)
Further, God’s Word is actually alive (He 4:12); it is what He leverages to impart spiritual life into us (1Pe 1:23), birthing us into Himself through it (Ja 1:18); the words themselves are spirit and life. (Jn 6:63) Modifying these living words is no small matter. (Re 22:18-19)
It would certainly be convenient if the scripture itself told us clearly which translation to use, but we are apparently tasked with seeking this truth from God, just as we are our own understanding and application of scripture. The effort is not necessarily easy, but in God’s providence the challenge is evidently good for us, essential if we are to fully benefit from His design in giving us His Word. Thankfully, He promises to guide us into all truth as we seek Him earnestly to find it. (Mt 7:7-8)