When I was at a secular university studying computer science, I couldn’t believe New Testament Greek was offered as an elective. Of the 60,000 students who could have taken it, there were only seven of us, and two of them were friends of mine. What was of passing interest then turned into a passion of mine ever since. It would not be unusual for me to spend a whole Saturday learning about how one Greek word was used and what all the possible meanings were.

Now with ChatGPT, it’s much faster. I can ask it to look at the whole New Testament at once to see how translation affects our understanding. I had it compare the NIV translation with the original Greek with the Aramaic that Jesus and the disciples spoke.

Check out how different they are! (I shortened the actual conversation thread.)

What are the most common translation errors modern English Bibles have?

1. Overreliance on Tradition
2. Theological Bias
3. Flattening of Ambiguities
4. Cultural Anachronisms
5. Misrepresentation of Greek Verb Tenses
6. Lexical Simplification
7. Overuse of Dynamic Equivalence
8. Misinterpretation of Idioms and Figures of Speech
9. Inconsistent Translation of Key Terms
10. Loss of Hebraic or Semitic Influences
11. Translating for Doctrine Instead of Clarity
12. Neglecting Contextual Nuances
13. English-Only Focus

Create a glossary of the top 200 words that are typically translated poorly, including the probable Aramaic words that the Greek was translated from

1. Δούλος (Doulos)
   • Typical Translation: “Servant”
   • Issues: Often softened to “servant” to avoid discomfort, though it directly means “slave,” highlighting total submission to a master.
   • Better Understanding: “Bondservant” or “slave” is more accurate.
   • Aramaic Nuance: Abda (ܥܒܕܐ) would similarly mean servant or slave, but in the Aramaic worldview, the term often emphasizes devotion and loyalty, particularly in service to God.
2. […plus another 199 tricky words; I’ll spare you the whole list]

Summarize the New Testament for me, using your new glossary to help you read it through each of these lenses: NIV translation, original Greek and probable Aramaic sources

1. The New Testament Through the NIV Lens

“God’s Love Revealed in Christ”

In the New Testament, God demonstrates His love for humanity by sending His Son, Jesus, to save the world from sin. Jesus, born of a virgin, lived a life of compassion, teaching forgiveness, humility, and love. He healed the sick, performed miracles, and preached about the kingdom of God.

Jesus called people to turn away from sin and believe in the gospel. His ministry was marked by mercy and inclusion, as He forgave sinners and welcomed those who had been rejected by society. Although He lived a perfect life, He was crucified to atone for humanity’s sins, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death and offering eternal life to all who believe. After His resurrection, He instructed His disciples to share the good news with all nations. Empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they established the church.

The church became a community of believers who lived in fellowship, love, and shared faith. The New Testament concludes with the promise of Jesus’ return, when He will establish eternal peace and bring His followers into God’s presence forever.

2. The New Testament Through the Greek Lens

“The Reign of God: Redemption and Restoration”

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of God’s promises through Jesus, the Anointed One. Born of a virgin, Jesus announced the arrival of God’s sovereign reign, declaring, “Change your hearts and minds, for God’s rule has drawn near.” Through His teaching and miracles, He demonstrated that God’s authority and justice were breaking into the world.

Jesus invited people to realign their hearts and lives with God’s purposes, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to those who trusted Him. His death on the cross bore the consequences of humanity’s rebellion, satisfying God’s justice and opening the way for restored relationship with Him.

On the third day, Jesus was raised to life, defeating the power of death and the corrupt systems of the world. After His resurrection, He commissioned His followers to proclaim the good news of God’s rule to all people, calling them to live as citizens of His reign.

The community of believers became a holy assembly, united by love, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament ends with the promise that Jesus will return to complete God’s work, restoring creation, defeating all evil, and bringing humanity into the fullness of life under God’s eternal reign.

3. The New Testament Through the Aramaic Lens

“Returning to God’s Sovereign Rule”

The New Testament tells the story of God’s unshakable love and faithfulness, revealed through Jesus of Nazareth, the promised Deliverer. Born of a virgin, Jesus proclaimed the good news that God’s sovereign rule was near, urging people to return to God’s ways and walk in alignment with His justice and mercy. His ministry revealed God’s compassion and authority through miraculous healings, forgiveness of sins, and the restoration of broken lives.

Jesus invited people to turn back to God and live in harmony with His purposes, offering a restored relationship to all who trusted Him. As the suffering servant, He bore the consequences of humanity’s failures and provided a pathway for reconciliation through His death on the cross. His sacrifice was an act of profound love, bringing healing and wholeness to a world marred by sin.

On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating the power of death and inaugurating a new era of God’s rule. He commissioned His followers to proclaim the message of God’s reign to all nations, calling people to return to their Creator and live under His leadership.

The assembly of believers became a holy community, marked by selfless love, unity, and spiritual transformation, empowered by the Spirit of God. The New Testament concludes with the hope of Jesus’ return, when God’s reign will be fully established, evil will be vanquished, and humanity will dwell in lasting peace and wholeness in God’s presence.