The J. B. Phillips translation of the Bible is an important modern English translation that was published in parts between 1947 and 1972. J. B. Phillips was the pen name of John Bertram Phillips (1906-1982), an Anglican clergyman who translated the New Testament and some Old Testament books into contemporary English. Here is an overview of the key features and history of the J. B. Phillips translation:
Overview of the J.B. Phillips Translation
J.B. Phillips sought to make the Bible more accessible to modern readers by translating it into the kind of English that people actually spoke and wrote in the mid-20th century. Some key features of his translation include:
- It uses contemporary, conversational English rather than formal, archaic language.
- It aims for dynamic equivalence rather than formal equivalence – it tries to convey the meaning and intent of the original texts rather than translating word-for-word.
- It incorporates insights from modern biblical scholarship to clarify difficulties in the text.
- It divides longer sentences into shorter, more readable units and arranges the text into sense paragraphs.
- It eliminates archaic verb endings and simplifies grammar where possible.
- It clarifies figurative language and obscurities for the modern reader.
Overall, Phillips sought to make the Bible sound fresh, clear, relevant and readable for the average person. He wanted it to have the same impact on modern readers as the original texts had on their audiences. This makes it a very accessible and engaging translation for personal Bible reading and study.
Translation History and Key Publications
J.B. Phillips began work on his translation in the 1940s as a way to help youth members of his church understand the letters of Paul. He would meet with them using his own handwritten translations, going over the texts line by line. Based on their feedback, he continued revising his translations until they were published more widely:
- 1947 – Published first part of translation, Letters to Young Churches, covering Paul’s epistles.
- 1958 – Published translation of Gospels titled The Gospels in Modern English.
- 1960 – Published The Young Church in Action containing Acts, James, and 1 Peter.
- 1972 – Final translations published as complete New Testament in Modern English.
- 1958-70 – Published translations of various Old Testament books including Psalms, Genesis, Ruth, Song of Songs, Daniel.
While Phillips translated a significant portion of the Old Testament, his main focus was the New Testament which he translated in its entirety. The New Testament in Modern English published in 1972 represents the culmination of his life’s work. It incorporates decades of feedback and contains his final revisions. It remains the definitive version of the J.B. Phillips translation.
Reception and Impact
The J.B. Phillips translation was immensely popular from the outset. His fresh, engaging style made the New Testament come alive for many readers. Within just a few years of publishing his first parts, Phillips received letters from all over the English-speaking world testifying to how his work had revived people’s interest and faith in the Bible.
Some highlights of its positive reception and impact include:
- His Letters to Young Churches sold over a million copies within just two years of publication.
- His complete NT quickly became a global bestseller and a preferred Bible version for many Christians.
- It received praise from clergy, scholars, and laypeople alike for its faithful yet readable modern idiom.
- It became widely used for church teaching, private devotions, and evangelistic outreach.
- Portions were read over BBC radio in Britain to millions of listeners.
- It shaped many people’s first encounter with the Bible and led to renewed engagement with scripture.
The tremendous popularity of the J.B. Phillips translation put modern English Bibles on the map. It demonstrated the impact that updating the language could have in making the Bible connect with contemporary readers. Along with versions like the NIV, TEV and LB, it helped pave the way for the proliferation of modern translations we see today. The readability, vitality and clarity of Phillips’ translation endures as a testament to his skill as a translator and commitment to making the Bible accessible.
Translation Philosophy and Approach
J.B. Phillips articulated the motivation behind his translation approach in prefaces to his works. Some key aspects of his philosophy include:
- The teachings of Jesus and the early Christians had an original vitality and power. His aim was to let these speak again as originally intended.
- He strove to bridge the cultural gap between the biblical world and the modern reader’s context, making ideas and figures of speech clear.
- He emphasized translating thoughts rather than words, wrestling with the meaning of each phrase before deciding how to translate it into natural English.
- He translated into the kind of English that people would use in letters to friends – simple, direct, fresh, and to the point.
- He arranged sentences into sense paragraphs to clarify relationships between ideas and aid readability.
- He divided lengthy Greek sentences into shorter English ones following modern writing conventions.
- He located the best textual evidence when translating ambiguous or disputed passages.
Phillips’ approach reflects a dynamic equivalence philosophy of translation – conveying ideas accurately in the language forms of the receptor language. He effectively bridged the culture gap between the ancient biblical context and the mid-20th century English-speaking world. The result is an extraordinarily clear and natural rendering of the Bible’s message.
Sample Passages
Here are some sample passages from the J.B. Phillips translation that illustrate its readability:
John 3:16-17
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its saviour.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains – but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burnt – but if I have no love, this does me no good. Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in right paths, as he has promised. Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me. You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honoured guest and fill my cup to the brim. I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.
These passages showcase Phillips’ skill in communicating the meaning of the original texts in crisp, contemporary language that flows smoothly. He illuminates figurative language and conveys key concepts clearly without losing the beauty and imagery of the Bible.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The J.B. Phillips translation has many strengths that have contributed to its appeal, along with some potential weaknesses to be aware of:
Strengths:
- Very readable, conversational English
- Clarifies obscurities for modern readers
- Vivid, expressive phrases
- Divides text into readable paragraphs and sentences
- Simplified grammar aids comprehension
- Retains imagery and emotion of original texts
- Helpful introductions and outlines
Potential Weaknesses:
- Paraphrases significantly at times rather than formal translation
- Individual interpretation influence on ambiguous passages
- Simplification risks losing some nuances of meaning
- Not always consistent in translating recurring terms
- Occasional influence of Phillips’ theological assumptions
- Lacks scholarly notes and cross references of formal translations
On the whole, most readers find the strengths of Phillips’ version outweigh any weaknesses. His skill in communication, feel for the original languages, and desire to make scripture clear shine through. However it is worth being aware that as a one-man translation shaped by mid-20th century English usage, it does not represent a formal scholarly translation. For detailed Bible study, formal versions like the ESV, NASB or NRSV may be more suitable. But for grasping the overall message and flavor of the Bible, Phillips’ version remains extremely effective for most readers.
Enduring Value of the J.B. Phillips Translation
The J.B. Phillips Bible translation still retains much value for today’s readers. Some key reasons it continues to enrich engagement with scripture include:
- It remains highly readable and comprehensible for contemporary readers.
- It effectively communicates the essence of the Bible’s contents and message.
- It introduces readers to the core themes and figures of the Bible in clear language.
- It conveys the atmosphere and imagery of the biblical world with vivid phrasing.
- It helps readers grasp Paul’s letters and theology very effectively.
- It models dynamic equivalence translation theory for modern versions.
- It demonstrates the impact of translating scripture into current language.
- It reflects thoughtful wrestling with the meaning of the text.
- It aims to make the Bible engaging and relevant to daily life.
For these reasons, the J.B. Phillips Bible continues to appear on recommended Bible reading lists and aid people in understanding the messages of scripture. His groundbreaking work shaped modern translation approaches and brought the Bible to life for millions. While recent translations incorporate current scholarship and language, J.B. Phillips’ version endures as a testament to the power of clear, dynamic translation to illuminate God’s word. His rendering continues to enable readers to hear the Bible speak freshly today.