The Message version of the Bible is a unique translation that has gained popularity in recent years for its conversational style and easy-to-understand language. While it can be a useful tool for personal study and understanding the context of certain passages, it is important to note that the Message should not be used as a primary translation for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, the Message is a paraphrase rather than a literal translation. This means that it is not a word-for-word rendering of the original Greek and Hebrew texts, but rather an interpretation of the meaning and intent of the text in modern English. While this can make the Message easier to read and understand, it also means that it is not as accurate or reliable as a literal translation.
In addition, the Message contains numerous changes and omissions that are not found in the original texts. For example, it often combines multiple verses into a single paragraph, rearranges the order of words and phrases, and omits certain words and phrases entirely. These changes can alter the meaning of the text and make it difficult to accurately compare the Message to other translations.
Despite these limitations, the Message can still be a useful tool for personal study and reflection. Its conversational style can help make the Bible more approachable and engaging, and its interpretation of certain passages can provide insight and perspective that may not be evident in other translations. However, it is important to use the Message in conjunction with more reliable translations, such as the New International Version (NIV) or English Standard Version (ESV), to ensure that you are accurately understanding the meaning and intent of the text.
Here are three verses from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible and their corresponding translations in the Message (MSG):
- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV) “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” – John 3:16 (MSG)
- “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28 (NIV) “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.” – Matthew 10:28 (MSG)
- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) “I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” – Romans 8:38-39 (MSG)
As you can see, the Message translation often uses more colloquial language and rearranges the order of words and phrases to make the text more readable and engaging. However, it is important to note that the Message is a paraphrase rather than a literal translation, and as such, it may not always be as accurate or reliable as a literal translation such as the NIV or ESV, NKJV, Etc…
In conclusion, while the Message can be a helpful tool for personal study and reflection, it should not be used as a primary translation. Its paraphrase nature and numerous changes and omissions make it less accurate and reliable than literal translations, and it is important to use it in conjunction with more reliable translations to ensure a thorough understanding of the Bible.
