A Clear and Consistent Bible Translation

Since its release on the Olive Tree Bible App in August of 2022, the Legacy Standard Bible has been one of our best-selling Bibles. Building on the legacy of the New American Standard Bible, the Legacy Standard Bible aims to clearly and consistently translate the Word of God into the English language. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should consider adding the Legacy Standard Bible to your Olive Tree app.

Clarity

What do you look for in a Bible translation? Our hope is that you would desire a translation that accurately conveys the Word of God into the language of your choice. If we all had the ability, I’m sure we would choose to read God’s Word in the original Hebrew or Greek. Since that isn’t within our grasp, we have to settle for a translation, preferably one that clearly translates God’s Word as accurately as possible.

The goal of the Legacy Standard Bible is to do just that. It strives to be a word-for-word translation which helps readers know exactly what God has said. The translators are all committed to keeping the translation true, correct, and understandable. One of the ways this shows itself in the LSB is by using italics. Italicized words in the translation are words supplied by the translators that are not in the original languages. The addition of italicized words is sometimes necessary for correct English or to convey the meaning of the text.

Take, for instance, the phrase “what is done” in Matthew 6:4, 6, and 18. In each of these verses, the LSB reads “Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Jesus is exhorting his disciples to give, pray, and fast secretly or privately and not to be noticed by men. God takes notices, he sees, the things that are done in secret and will therefore render his reward. The point of adding “what is done” to the translation helps the reader understand that God sees what his children do in secret. Though these words are not a part of the original text, they help the reader understand what the text is saying while showing that they were added by the translators.

Consistency

One of the stated commitments of the translators who worked on the Legacy Standard Bible was to translate “individual words as consistently as possible within their various nuances.” By aiming for translation consistency, readers can identify similarities and/or sameness in the underlying word in the original text. Here’s an example from Philippians with the Greek word φρονέω (phroneō).

For it is only right for me to think this way about you all . . .”

Philippians 1:7

Fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose . . .”

Philippians 2:2

Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus . . .”

Philippians 2:5

Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal that also to you.”

Philippians 3:15

Whose end is destruction, who god is their stomach and glory is in their shame, who set their thoughts on earthly things.”

Philippians 3:19

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to think the same way in the Lord.”

Philippians 4:2

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived thinking about me; indeed, you were thinking about me before, but you lacked opportunity.”

Philippians 4:10

Why Is Consistency Important?

Consistency in translation is important in helping readers understand the main point of the biblical text. The translators of the Legacy Standard Bible explain their reasons for consistently translating φρονέω in the example from Philippians with these words.

The word “think” rather than “have [a certain] attitude” is used here to translate the verb φρονέω (phroneō), which literally carries the idea of thinking or considering—a faculty of the mind. This is a major theme in the book of Philippians, as the word occurs 10 times. Paul puts a great emphasis on how believers “think” because it is thinking the same way which leads to the unity the church is to display to honor Christ, and one of Paul’s main goals in the book is to urge for church unity. To help readers notice the emphasis on thinking in Philippians, φρονέω (phroneō) is translated using ‘think’ everywhere it appears.”

While we may not know the Greek word behind the translation, by translating the word the same way throughout the short book, we can begin to see how essential “thinking” is to Paul’s theme and the overall health of the church.

Get the Legacy Standard Bible

Hopefully you can see from this why it is important to have a clear and consistent Bible translation. The Legacy Standard Bible includes both clarity and consistency and we heartily recommend it for use in the Olive Tree app. Get your copy today through the link below!