HCSB Translation, A Good Version?

HCSB Translation
Good Version?

Q. What is your opinion of the Holman Christian Standard Bible?
(T. Brown – Grants Pass, Oregon)

Date of Publication

The entire HCSB Bible including the Old and New Testaments was published in 2004. While the English Standard Version is promoted by Reformed groups, the HCSB primarily derives its notoriety from the Southern Baptist Convention.

Promotions

It takes time for a new translation to become known by Christian pastors and scholars, and sometimes publishers are ineffective or clueless about how to promote their own materials – even when they are really good. This seems to be the case for the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

I have begun to use the HCSB more in my own work lately. We have found it to be one of the most accurate translations we’ve seen to date. When it uses a dynamic type of translation (thought for thought), it consistently gives a more literal meaning – not less. That is because occasionally, a word for word translation is difficult to understand and a thought for thought expresses the concept more accurately.

Otherwise, it is a literal translation with a Messianic feel to it. You’ll see terms like “Messiah,” “Yahweh,” and “slave” (rather than “servant”) throughout this translation. For this reason the translation should appeal to believers who embrace the millennial view and who have a high regard for Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Here are some examples for you:

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Philippians 2:6

I have always found Philippians 2:6 difficult to understand:

…“who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,” (NASB).

To me this always meant that Jesus didn’t expect men to understand – to grasp – that He existed in the form of God. Wrong.

Ryrie’s notes in the NASB explain that this verse “may be paraphrased: ‘Who, though of the same nature as God, did not think this something to be exploited to His own advantage.'”

Lo and behold, the HCSB translates this passage: …“who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.” The translation allies itself with Dr. Ryrie’s interpretation. Top-notch scholarship!

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Revelation 1:1

The sense in Revelation 1:1 is that an angel “codified,” or put into symbols, the things that would take place and presented it to John. Bible teacher and scholar Chuck Missler has pointed this out in his commentaries (2002). Most translations have been careless with this passage. The ESV says, “He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John…” In my opinion that is a “flat,” boring rendition. The only two translations that seemed to get it right were the NKJV and the KJV.

However, the HCSB translates Revelation 1:1, “He sent it and signified it through His angel to His slave John…” To “signify” means to put it in “signs” or symbols. Right on… (We also appreciate the consistent use of the term “slave” rather than “servant” in this and many other passages. For this reason noted scholar John MacArthur utilized the HCSB translation in his 2010 book, Slave (Nelson pub.).

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Hebrews 3:14

If you have ever wondered why translators are so “nit-picky” and if one word poorly translated makes any difference, Hebrews 3:14 should settle the issue.

In Christ?

The ESV translates this passage, “For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Fine. Most of us understand the odd phrase “in Christ.”

But, what if it doesn’t really say that? Would it make a difference?

Partakers of Christ

The NASB translates it better: “For we have become partakers of Christ…” Better…Yet still, what does “partakers of Christ” mean?

Companions of the Messiah

The HCSB comes to the rescue: “We have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.”

Ruling with Christ

This distinction between “in Christ” vs. “companions of the Messiah” matters according to Dr. Paul Benware, Dr. Joseph Dillow and Erwin Lutzer from Dallas Theological Seminary. That is because the book of Hebrews emphasizes that we need to “faithfully endure in order to receive those rewards which include being a companion of the coming King” – those who rule with Christ!

In other words, not all of us will rule with Christ! Not all of us will be the ruling companions alongside our beloved King. Only Christ’s companions, the “metochoi,” will reign with Christ. (Benware 2002, 159; Dillow 2006, 20, Lutzer 1998).

This is something we can lose at the Judgment Seat of Christ as explained in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and other places. While all Christians are saved and will go to Heaven, not all Christians will reign with Christ.

The consequences of this idea of “equality” in heaven has stripped Christians of their motivation to follow Christ and act better and to be better persons. Let this be a lesson to all of us! Good for the HCSB translation! For those of us who take the Bible seriously this is vital information!

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Psalm 27:10

Psalm 27:10 has been a great comfort to those who have been rejected by their parents or who have lost their parents – only in the KJV or NKJV translations, however.

The NASB says, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.” What does it mean to “take me up?”

Here the HCSB translates it, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.”

This is a wonderful verse to give to foster children, to those whose parents have died, and to those whose families have rejected them.

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Psalm 82

What is the Divine Council?

Psalm 82 has been problematic for some scholars. They have tampered with the text until it says what they think it should say – not what it really says.

For example, the NKJV says: “God stands in the congregation of the mighty. He judges among the gods.”

The NASB says: “God takes His stand in His own congregation. He judges in the midst of the rulers.”

Ruling Elite or Ruling Gods?

Many well known scholars such as John MacArthur say that these rulers and gods are the ruling elite in Israel.

But, what if this passage doesn’t mean Israelites at all? What if it means something more?

The HCSB translates this passage:

“God has taken His place in the divine assembly. He judges among the gods: ‘How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless. Uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy. Save them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82: 1-4).

Later on in this passage it clarifies: “I said, ‘You are gods. You are all sons of the Most High. However, you will die like men and fall like any other ruler'” (Psalm 82: 6-7).

Divine Council Rulers

In other words, God has taken his place in the Divine Council. This is the same council Satan attended in Job 1:6. It is the same council mentioned in 1 Kings 22:19. “I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and the whole heavenly host was standing by Him at His right hand and at His left hand.”

The Divine Council is inclusive of some of the “gods” who are ruling unjustly and showing partiality to the wicked. These are from the same class of cosmic leaders whom we know as the rulers, authorities, world powers, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavens described in Ephesians 6:12 and many other references. (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24; Ro 8:38; 1 Cor. 15:24; Col. 1:15; Dan. 10:5; etc.)

(Michael S. Heiser.com.; Bryan T. Huie).

And of course, this is the passage Jesus referred to in John 10:34 when He said, “Has it not been written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’ If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?'” (John 10:34-36, NASB).

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HCSB – Not without its Critics

It is important to know that the HCSB is based upon the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, fifth edition for the Hebrew – and the Nestle Aland Text, 27th edition and the United Bible Societies 4th corrected edition for the Greek.

This means that they used the same manuscripts that were used for the English Standard Version and other popular translations. These manuscripts have been criticized by the folks who hold up the King James Version as the only version or as the preferred translation. Thus they see the HCSB as inferior.

Many Choices

At any rate the HCSB comes in many different shapes and styles. You can purchase Illustrated study bibles – children’s – Sportsman’s – and even a Scofield Study Bible in the HCSB! I suggest that you go to Amazon.com for a complete listing. It is amazing.

Conclusion

Finding a perfect translation is almost impossible. That is why we always recommend that you own more than one translation and a good study Bible. Remember also to ask your pastor or Bible teacher which translation he/she uses so you can follow along.

Our overall view of the HCSB is positive and it has been useful to us in working through some difficult passages. But that is the fun of Bible study. So go for it! (But keep a KJV or NKJV handy).

Remember, if we work diligently “to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), we will grow in grace and knowledge of Christ in our Christian walk. It is my goal, hope and desire to be one of Christ’s “metochoi,” a companion of my beloved Messiah. How about you?

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