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The American Standard Version

A Study of Translations

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“on the whole [as], the finest of all

English Versions of the New Testament

in popular use today”

Guy N. Woods

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There is no perfect English Translation

available

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Strengths of the ASV

•Manuscripts–It had available to it far more manuscripts and archaeological evidence than any previous version of the Bible.•100 years have passed since it was prepared and the knowledge of biblical scholars has advanced dramatically.

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Strengths of the ASV

•"Harmony of Expression."–Attempt to be consistent in translating the same Greek word with the same English word each time it appears.

–This was an attempt to get away from the wide diversity of expression found in the KJV.

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Strengths of the ASV

•The ASV is one of the more literal translations on the market.–It has often been criticized for its "translation English."

–“Strong in Greek, but weak in English."

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Released just before major manuscript and archaeological discoveries were made–In 1877, Philip Schaff said that only 1500 manuscripts of the Greek New Testament were available to them.

–There are now close to four times that many available!

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Released just before many major manuscript and archaeological discoveries were made–"It is not at all suggested that these tools radically change the biblical message, but each new insight is a welcome one for the English reader!" - Dr. Jack P. Lewis

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Released just before many major manuscript and archaeological discoveries were made–2 Kings 18:17, Jeremiah 39:13

•"Tartan," "Rabshadeh," "Rabsaris," and "Rabmag" are not proper names,

•Now known to be titles of individuals.

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Though effort is made to render each Greek word by a single English word, this policy is not always carried out.–"Teleios" is rendered "full-grown" in Ephesians 4:13,

–As "men" in 1 Corinthians 14:20–As "perfect" in most other places.

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•The ASV has at times rendered differing Greek words or phrases alike in English.–Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens" ("baros")

–Vs. 5 it reads, "For every man shall bear his own burden" ("phortion").

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•ASV at times has overstepped its limits –1 Corinthians 7:36-38 the ASV inserts the word "daughter" after "virgin" three times,

–Declaring the relationship is between a father and his virgin daughter.

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•ASV at times has overstepped its limits–Hebrews 12:2 - the ASV adds the word "our" to the phrase "looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

–The NASB has translated this correctly: "The perfecter of faith."

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•1 Corinthians 2:13 "combining spiritual things with

spiritual words." –"Words" has been added to the text.

–A footnote to this passage reads, "interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men."

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•John 9:38 “And he said, Lord, I believe.

And he worshipped him.”–The ASV footnote declares: “The Greek word denotes an act of reverence, whether paid to a creature (as here) or to the Creator”

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•The expression “God only begotten” (John 1:18) is given in the footnote of the ASV, while “the only begotten Son” is in the text.

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Weaknesses of the ASV

All of these attempts at interpretation can be very confusing to the reader

Not to mention the fact that the interpretations just may be

incorrect.

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•In its choice of what kind of English to utilize, the ASV made two determinations: –To use "translation English," and not the common English spoken or written at that time.

–The English they chose was from the 16th - 17th century.

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•To accommodate this preference, the ASV was produced intentionally in a more ancient style of English than was then current.–For example: "six score thousand" is used instead of "one hundred twenty thousand."

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Some passages in the ASV have been worded or translated poorly. –2 Timothy 3:16

"Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable for

teaching, …"

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Some passages in the ASV have been worded or translated poorly. –2 Timothy 3:16 –KJV

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God…"

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Some passages in the ASV have been worded or translated poorly. –2 Timothy 3:16 –NASB-U

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching…"

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Matthew 28:1 “Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first

day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary

to see the sepulchre.”–Greek term – opse – in this case means “after,”

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•Matthew 28:1 – NASB-U

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the

grave.”

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Weaknesses of the ASV

•The KJV, ASV, & NKJV are incomplete at 1 Corinthians 16:2–ASV, KJV & NKJV – “Upon the first day of the week…”

–They fail to translate the Greek, “kata mian sabbatou”,

–“On the first day of every week …” – NASB-U

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"There are no significant weaknesses of the ASV. It

may take just a little longer to read than the KJV or RSV, but it is more accurate, and

remember, we will be judged by the words He has spoken"

(Warren Wilcox, Versions of the Bible: Their Strengths and

Weaknesses)

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"The ASV represented the best scholarship and biblical learning of its time. It is not, however, the final word in

Bible translation. Scholarship has advanced with the

passing of years, and the ASV now lags behind."

Jack P. Lewis

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