calvinism & the ESV

[That'sWhatItSays]

I looked up another controversial passage and compared it with the three scriptures. It is my belief that the ESV reverts back into error in its translation when compared to the NIV.

I Timothy 3:13

KJV: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

NIV: Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

ESV: For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The word "deacon" is not really a translation, but a transliteration that has been used over the ages to add a strong element of ecclesiology to the text. We don't even know what a deacon really is, though some of our churches use the term. A literal translation of the verse reads much more closely to the NIV, because the NIV actually made an attempt to translate the words in the original. The ESV chooses the middle ground between the NIV and the KJV by using the term "serve" in the verse, but they keep the word "deacons" in. It's kind of a strange translation, because the word diaconos means "minister" or "servant". The ESV is kind of saying, "those who serve well as servants..."

Most translations of the Bible retain the word deacons. Standing with the NIV are the Geneva, Darby, and Phillips.