The Translation Does Make a Difference

The verse for the day from Bible Gateway devotions quotes

1 John4:20-21 from the NEW LIVING TRANSLATION BIBLE. “If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.”

          I went to http://www.biblegateway.com to find a few parallel translations.

1.      The KING JAMES VERSION, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

2.    THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

3.    THE MESSAGE paraphrase, “If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.”

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          My question is WHY would they use such an exclusive translation? Really…hello!!…Did Jesus really say, “Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters?” Jesus was JEWISH—not CHRISTIAN! Jesus message was for everyone. Jesus preached often to Gentiles and those thought worthless by the Religious Jewish community.

          If we want to be a light to others and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth then we must start thinking inclusively. We must stop the mentality of THEM vs. US! We are ALL God’s creations; let’s follow the way of Jesus and love all people.

Let’s be aware of the language we use and seek to find loving words, not separatist words.