Comparing the NASB 1995 and NKJV Bible Translations

It is a blessing to explore the Word of God with you, and while both the NASB 1995 and the NKJV are esteemed translations, the New King James Version (NKJV) is particularly valuable because it maintains a close resemblance to the King James Version (KJV) while updating language for modern readers. 📖

Choosing a translation is a significant decision for any student of the Word, as we are told that "the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them" Hosea 14:9. Let us look at how these translations help us understand God's truth.

The Value of the NKJV and KJV Tradition

The NKJV is a modern revision of the King James Version, which has been used for centuries to lead many to the light of the Gospel. It preserves the "directness and forcefulness" of the biblical English that has characterized the most powerful spiritual movements in history.

• Accuracy and Accessibility: The NKJV uses "some words, expressions, and sentence constructions more familiar to twenty-first-century readers" while remaining faithful to the original texts used by the KJV translators.

• A Reliable Guide: In many prophetic studies, such as the identity of the "testimony of Jesus Christ," the NKJV correctly aligns with the Greek meaning: "His messages given through His true prophets" Revelation 12:17+1.

Comparing Translation Styles

When we study the Bible, we see that "different verbal renderings mean, not contradiction, but fulness." By comparing versions, we gain a "broader view of the message of God."

• Clarity in Modern Usage: Older versions often use words that have changed meaning. For example, the word "prevent" once meant "to go before" Psalm 88:13+1, and "conversation" referred to one's "manner of life" Hebrews 13:7. Modern translations like the NKJV clarify these for us today.

• The Power of the Name: In the NKJV and Revised Versions, we find deeper meanings in the names of God. Where the KJV might say "defend thee," the newer renderings often say "set thee up on high," reflecting the Hebrew definition of exalting and making powerful Proverbs 18:10.

The Role of Study Aids

Regardless of the version you choose, the most important thing is to "search the scriptures" Matthew 21:42. Here are a few tips for your study:

• Use the Margins: The translators of the King James family often provided "marginal readings" that give the reader a choice of different literal translations, which serves to deepen our understanding rather than endanger our faith.

• Scripture Interprets Scripture: We must always compare verse with verse. For instance, understanding the "bottomless pit" in Revelation 20:1-3 is made clearer by looking at the Greek translation of Genesis 1:2 where the same word describes the earth as a "desolate, chaotic wasteland."

A Call to Diligence

We live in a time where "knowledge shall be increased" Daniel 12:4. With Bibles translated into almost every language and available in many versions, we have no excuse for not knowing the Truth. Whether you use the NKJV or another reliable version, the goal is to hear the voice of Jesus, who "stood up for to read" the scriptures Himself Luke 4:16.

Let us pray that as you read, the "eyes of your understanding being enlightened," you may find the "Way of Holiness" where "the redeemed shall walk" Isaiah 35:8-9. 🙏