A Brief Note of Warning
By J. W. H. GEISS
DOUBTLESS the reading of the Twentieth Century New Testament may be made both profitable and interesting, or, if there is not constant caution in its study, it may be hurtful and misleading. This may be seen from the following:— The translators have set themselves not only to put the words of God into the current language of to-day, but also their aim is to leave no ambiguity as to the meaning of the text. An example is found in Rom. 10:4. The Authorized Version reads, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” The Twentieth Century has it, “For Christ has brought law to an end for all who believe in him, that they may attain to righteousness.” The Authorized Version gives a literal rendering, and it may be that the translator had no very clear notion as to what the word “end” meant, and so left the interpretation open. But the modern translator is quite sure that Christ abolished the law, and so he states that the law is brought to an end. It is seen by this example that the theological opinions of the modern translators are, and must be, strongly impressed on the translation, and this fact the reader will do well ever to keep in mind while studying the book. It may be remarked as regards the text quoted above that the translator does violence to the original words used by Paul. The word “end” is not used in the Greek language with any thought of abolition, but to convey the idea of finishing, perfecting, consummating. Christ is the “perfection of the law.” That is the simple rendering of the Greek words written by Paul. Using the same root-word on the cross, Christ said, “It is finished,” not meaning that anything was abolished, but that it was perfected. It will be seen from this example that the translator in this work cannot avoid giving the impress of his doctrine to the sacred text. The doctrine taught by the Twentieth Century Version is likely to be the ordinary theological views current among the denominations. In a careless reading of the book it would be quite likely that the reader might be imbued with just that teaching which we desire to avoid. How deep is our need of divine guidance amid the concealed pitfalls which are everywhere around us in the world to-day! Surely, before taking up any book and putting the writer’s thoughts into our mind, we need to plead with the loving Father that our reading may be for edification and not for destruction.