Bible Translations and Base Texts

In most cases, differences among Bible translations are due to different ways of rendering the base text. However, this is not always the case.

For example, compare how Ephesians 3:9 is rendered in the KJV and the ESV:

• KJV: And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
• ESV: and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

Most of the differences between these two translations are due to different ways of rendering the same Greek expression in the base text. For example,

• the translations “all men” (KJV) and “everyone” (ESV) are different ways of rendering the same Greek expression, pantas (πάντας).
• Likewise, the translations “from the beginning of the world” (KJV) and “for ages” (ESV) are different ways of rendering the same Greek expression, apo tōn aiōnōn (ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων).

However, this is not the case for the other differences.

• The difference between “fellowship” (KJV) and “plan” (ESV) is not different ways of rendering the same Greek expression. Rather, the base texts of both translations have different readings. The KJV’s base text reads koinōnia (κοινωνία), meaning “fellowship”, while the ESV’s base text reads oikonomia (οἰκονομία), meaning “plan”.
• Also, the KJV contains the phrase “by Jesus Christ” at the end of the verse, but the ESV does not contain the name “Jesus Christ”. Again, the base texts of both translations have different readings. The KJV’s base text contains the phrase dia Iēsou Christou (διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ), while the ESV’s base text does not contain this phrase.

When a Bible passage has different words or less words in a certain Bible translation, it is likely because both Bible translations were using base texts which have different readings of that Bible passage.