The Message (MSG) is a paraphrase of the Bible translated by Eugene H. Peterson and published in segments from 1993 to 2002. It is a contemporary version of the Bible in English that aims to state the meaning of the original Bible texts in common, everyday language. Some key things to know about The Message:
- It is not a direct word-for-word translation like formal equivalency translations such as the KJV or ESV, but rather an idiomatic translation that focuses on capturing the original meaning and intent of the texts.
- It uses contemporary language and idioms rather than formal equivalency in order to make the Bible more accessible and understandable to modern readers.
- Peterson worked from the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic to craft the paraphrase and did not simply convert an existing English version into more modern language.
- It originally targeted an audience aged 30 and under, but has proven popular with a wide range of readers looking for a fresh expression of the Bible’s message.
- The complete Message was published in 2002, including the Old and New Testaments as well as introductory essays to each book.
Background of The Message
Eugene Peterson was a pastor and professor of spiritual theology who felt that the Bible translations available in the late 20th century did not speak effectively to contemporary readers. He observed that readers would often start reading the Bible but abandon it part way through because they struggled to relate to the language.
Peterson saw a need for a version that used the common, everyday language that people actually speak. He wanted to create something that would have the same powerful impact as the original texts but in a way that did not require people to learn specialized religious vocabulary. The Message set out to present the Bible in a way that readers could understand intuitively and engage with naturally, while still being faithful to the meanings of the source texts.
Work on The Message began in the early 1990s. Peterson translated the New Testament epistles and Revelation first, before going back to create an idiomatic translation of the entire New Testament. This was published in 1993. He then worked on translating the Hebrew scriptures, releasing a translation of the Psalms in 1994 and various other Old Testament books over the next few years. The complete Message, including the entire Old and New Testaments, was finally published in 2002.
Translation Philosophy of The Message
The fundamental aim of The Message is to take the words written in Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek and communicate their meaning in the English of today. The translator’s role is to understand the original context and intention of each passage and then convey this as naturally as possible in modern language, even if this means significantly altering the form or structure of a text.
Peterson described The Message as a “reading Bible” rather than a “reference Bible.” It is not intended for detailed word study or to be overly precise about formal equivalency. Instead it wants to create the same room for imagining and questioning that the original writings would have created in their own historical-cultural contexts.
Some key parts of The Message’s translation philosophy include:
- Using everyday language, expressions, and idioms rather than formal or religious vocabulary.
- Allowing contemporary allusions that capture the meaning and hook modern readers.
- Not simply converting existing English translations into more modern English.
- Being less concerned about word-for-word accuracy and more concerned about thought-for-thought conveying of the original meaning.
- Avoiding transparency to the original languages and structures, allowing rephrasing where needed for the target audience.
- Use of contractions, rhythm, and cadences to create a conversational style.
Peterson described the freedom of The Message to restructure texts according to the dynamics of contemporary language while seeking to be responsible to the meanings of the original writings. The goal is not a strict formal equivalence translation, but rather an idiomatic translation that captures the writers’ messages.
Reception and Criticism of The Message
The Message has proven very popular, having sold over 20 million copies. Its common language and fresh expressions of the ancient texts have appealed widely to modern readers seeking to make sense of the Bible. It has been praised for making the Bible more accessible and easier to digest for contemporary readers.
However, The Message has also received significant criticism, especially from those who prefer more formal, precision translations. Some of the common critiques include:
- It strays too far from formal equivalence and takes excessive liberty in rephrasing texts according to modern idioms.
- Key theological terms are missing as it avoids religious vocabulary.
- The simplification of language results in loss of nuances and depth.
- It adds subtle contemporary interpretations rather than strictly translating the original texts.
- The colloquial language seems irreverent at times.
- The meaning is skewed at various points due to paraphrasing errors.
The Message is often seen as a helpful supplement to traditional Bible translations rather than a replacement. While some enthusiastically praise The Message for reinvigorating their Bible reading, others caution against relying solely on it for study due to its freer approach to translating. It is generally recommended to be used alongside more literal translations.
Comparison to Other Translations
When compared to a formal equivalence translation like the English Standard Version (ESV), The Message looks very different. Formal equivalence prioritizes word-for-word accuracy and translating grammatical forms directly. This allows close study of the precise words and structures used in the original languages.
The Message instead focuses on translating entire thoughts in a way that would feel natural to a modern English speaker reading it for the first time. It does not follow formal equivalence or translate each word directly. The meaning may be unchanged, but the form looks very different to a literal translation.
Other meaning-based translations like the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT) fall somewhere between The Message and formal equivalence translations. They employ some common language while maintaining a closer word-for-word translation approach. The Message paraphrases much more freely.
The Message can be compared to translations designed specifically for children, like the International Children’s Bible or the New Century Version. These use simplified vocabulary and sentence structures to be easier for kids to read. The Message has a similar reading level, but covers the complete Bible rather than just being targeted at children.
The Message differs significantly from translations like the King James Version (KJV) or New King James Version (NKJV) that closely follow the Textus Receptus manuscript tradition. The Message draws from modern critical Greek and Hebrew texts rather than the TR manuscript stream underlying early English translations.
Examples of The Message Translation Style
Here are some examples that give a sense of The Message translation style in contrast to more formal equivalence translations:
Romans 3:23-24 (ESV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24 (The Message)
Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God saved us by the special gift that is given through Jesus Christ, his Son.
Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1 (The Message)
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (The Message)
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
As can be seen from these examples, The Message takes a much freer approach to translating than formal equivalence, using natural phrasing and language choices that convey key meanings in a contemporary idiom rather than replicating original grammatical forms.
Use of The Message Translation
Due to its paraphrasing approach, The Message is generally considered less appropriate than formal translations for in-depth Bible study, research, or memorization. Some limitations or cautions around its use include:
- It cannot be used to analyze or focus on the precise words chosen in the original languages.
- It is not suitable for exegetical preaching or making theological arguments based on specific words or phrases.
- The meaning is sometimes skewed or details lost due to paraphrasing errors.
- Memorizing The Message will result in memorization of Peterson’s interpretations rather than the original texts.
However, The Message can have wonderful value when used appropriately. Here are some of its strengths and best uses:
- Personal Bible reading – Its conversational style makes reading for personal study and devotions easier and more engaging for many.
- Small groups – Discussing Scripture in community can be enriched by The Message’s fresh and accessible wording.
- Teaching – Where appropriate, it can help teach or explain passages by expressing things in common terms.
- Evangelism – It can help those unfamiliar with the Bible to connect with biblical content by removing language barriers.
- Getting the gist – Reading The Message can give a quick sense of the overall meaning of a passage.
- Inspiration – Many find The Message inspires them spiritually by helping them see, feel, and connect with the meanings in a fresh way.
The Message serves a valuable purpose, but is best utilized alongside more literal translations for those desiring in-depth study. The combination allows readers to benefit from both word-for-word accuracy and The Message’s ability to powerfully communicate the ideas in everyday language.
The Living Bible and The Message
The Message is sometimes compared to The Living Bible since they both use idiomatic language and aim to make the Bible more accessible. However, there are several key differences:
- The Living Bible is a paraphrase of the American Standard Version. The Message is a fresh translation from the original Biblical languages.
- The Message translates the whole Bible. The Living Bible covered only certain OT portions and the NT.
- The Message uses more contemporary language while The Living Bible sounded more dated, even at its release.
- The Message aims to inspire imagination and questioning. The Living Bible primarily aims for accessibility.
- The Message was the work of a single translator. The Living Bible was compiled by a team of translators.
While both translations employ idiomatic language, The Message sticks closer to the meanings of original texts rather than simply paraphrasing existing English translations. The Message also tends to use more contemporary expressions.
The Message: Remix and Other Editions
A few alternative editions of The Message exist, including:
- The Message: Remix – This edition aimed at teens includes artistic and graphic elements along with the Message text. It uses visual art, creative fonts, and various textual effects to help teens engage visually with the Bible.
- The Message: Solo – This pocket-sized edition was designed for Message readers on the go. It includes select New Testament writings in a portable, affordable format.
- The Message Devotional Bible – This edition adds devotional commentaries alongside the Message text to aid personal application of the Bible.
- The Message Large Print – This oversized edition of The Message is designed for visually impaired readers who benefit from large text.
- The Message Ministry Edition – This edition adds subject headings, indexes, and other supplemental reference material helpful for ministry use of The Message.
These alternative editions build on the popularity of The Message translation by formatting it for different audiences and uses. However, the original unadorned The Message containing just Peterson’s idiomatic translation text has remained the most popular.
The Message: Imperfect Yet Important
The Message undeniably has its flaws and limitations. All Bible translations involve interpretation and paraphrase versions like The Message amplify this. There are certainly valid concerns about its rendering of various passages. It cannot replace diligent study using formal equivalent translations.
Yet when used with discernment, The Message also has an important role to play in engaging people with Scripture. For millions of readers, it has provided an accessible starting point that kindles their interest and opens the Bible up to them in a fresh way. It succeeds at communicating essential meanings in the heart language of contemporary readers.
The Message reminds us that translating the timeless truths of Scripture into fresh idioms is often needed to start the process of connecting people with God’s Word. As did the work of historic Bible translators, The Message seeks to make the Bible’s message live inside its audience, speaking God’s timeless message into a modern cultural moment. For many readers, Peterson’s paraphrase continues to resonate and inspire over two decades after its complete publication.