Translation Philosophy: Formal vs Dynamic Equivalence

8. TRANSLATION PHILOSOPHY — Word-for-Word vs. Thought-for-Thought

Formal Equivalence (KJV) — Word-for-Word

The King James Bible uses Formal Equivalence (word-for-word) translation.

This means:

• Translate each word as accurately as possible
• Preserve the original word order and structure
• You get what GOD SAID, not what a translator thinks God meant

Luke 4:4 (KJV): "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

Modern versions (NIV, ESV, NASB): "Man shall not live on bread alone." — "But by every word of God" REMOVED

If you don't need EVERY WORD of God, then deletions don't matter!

Dynamic Equivalence (Modern Versions) — Thought-for-Thought

Modern versions use Dynamic Equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation.

This means:

• Translate the "general idea" or "thought"
• Change words, structure, and phrasing for "readability"
• You get what the TRANSLATOR THINKS God meant

The problem: You are reading the translator's interpretation, not God's Word.

Paraphrase (MSG, TLB, etc.) — Complete Rewrite

Some "Bibles" are not even translations — they are paraphrases (complete rewrites in the author's own words).

These are NOT Bibles. They are commentary.

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