The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is an English translation of the Bible that was published in stages between 1946 and 1971. The RSV is a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) that was published in 1901. The RSV sought to update the ASV by incorporating new manuscript discoveries and advances in Biblical scholarship since the late 19th century. The RSV was intended to be a readable, accurate, and ecumenical translation suitable for both public and private use among English-speaking Christians.
The translation work for the RSV was done by a committee of about 30 biblical scholars from various Protestant denominations in North America. Some key members of the translation committee included Luther Weigle, E.J. Goodspeed, Henry Cadbury, and Emmett Matthews. The National Council of Churches sponsored the RSV translation work.
The New Testament portion of the RSV was published in 1946. The translation of the Old Testament followed soon after, with the full RSV Bible being published in 1952. A thorough revision of the RSV text was made in 1971, resulting in the Common Bible. Further minor revisions led to the RSV Second Edition in 1971. The goals of the revisions were to modernize language, make the translation more accurate, and remove archaic words.
Reasons for Creating the RSV
There were several key factors that motivated the creation of the Revised Standard Version in the mid-20th century:
- The RSV translators wanted to update the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901 to reflect new manuscript discoveries, archaeological findings, and advances in biblical scholarship. The ASV was becoming outdated.
- There was a desire to make the Bible more readable and accessible to the average reader compared to the literal and wooden style of the ASV.
- The discovery and publication of new ancient biblical manuscripts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls provided new sources for translators.
- Archaic language in previous translations was updated toincrease comprehension for modern readers.
- The RSV translators sought to create an ecumenical translation that Protestant denominations could unite around and approve for use.
- The RSV incorporated updated scholarship concerningBiblical languages, textual criticism, and translation theory.
Essentially, the RSV aimed to bring together the latest scholarship and discoveries to provide an accurate, readable, and unified modern English translation that could serve as an update to the aging ASV.
Translation Philosophy of the RSV
The RSV sought a middle ground between a literal, word-for-word translation and an idiomatic, meaning-based translation. The translators wanted to provide as literal a translation as possible where the original meaning was clear. But they also allowed for idiomatic translations and grammatical adjustments for readability when needed. Some key aspects of the RSV translation philosophy included:
- Formal equivalence – sticking closely to the lexical details and grammatical structure of the original languages.
- Literal translation – rendering Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words and idioms as directly as possible into English.
- Literary beauty – seeking elegance and eloquence in English style.
- Dignified language – avoiding colloquialisms, slang, and vulgarities.
- Archaeological and manuscript evidence – basing translations on most ancient sources available.
- Ecumenical collaboration – incorporating input from Protestant scholars.
The RSV sought a middle path between formal literalness and functional dynamic equivalence. The goal was an accurate, dignified, and unified English translation for use in the church.
Major Translation Revisions in the RSV
The Revised Standard Version underwent a few major updates and revisions after its initial publication in order to improve accuracy and modernize language:
- 1971 – Common Bible: This thorough revision edited the entire RSV text for comprehension and stylistic improvement. Archaic language like “thee” and “thou” was removed.
- 1971 – Second Edition: Additional changes were made to create the RSV Second Edition, including replacing “behold” with “see” or “look.”
- 1973 – Apocrypha: The RSV Apocrypha was published to translate the Deuterocanonical books of Catholic and Orthodox canons.
- 1977 – Reader’s Edition: This edition had shorter sentences and paragraphs to optimize readability.
- 2006 – Ecumenical Edition: The RSV text was again updated to improve accuracy and clarity.
These major updates show the commitment of the RSV translation committee to maintain an accurate, modern, and readable English Bible through the years via ongoing textual revisions.
Reception and Impact of the RSV
The Revised Standard Version had a significant influence on Bible translation, study, and reading among English-speaking Christians:
- It gained wide acceptance among mainline Protestant churches and was adopted for liturgical use.
- Many Christian education programs and Bible studies incorporated the RSV.
- It prompted conservative backlash over certain passages, especially Isaiah 7:14 using “young woman” instead of “virgin.”
- The RSV provided the textual basis for the popular New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) in 1989.
- Its scholarly yet readable style influenced subsequent major translations like the ESV and CSB.
- The RSV offered many readers access to updated biblical scholarship and manuscript evidence.
- Some criticize it for being too liberal with its use of gender-inclusive language.
The RSV provided Protestants with an authoritative, unified, scholarly translation that was widely used for decades as a benchmark for accuracy and readability. It guided the development of most major modern English Bible versions.
Ongoing Use and Study of the RSV
Although it has been superseded by more recent translations, the Revised Standard Version continues to be valued and consulted by students, scholars, and readers today:
- Its thorough scholarship and accuracy is still appreciated.
- The RSV is considered one of the most literally accurate English translations.
- It maintains slightly more of a formal equivalence approach than dynamic equivalence translations.
- Some prefer its more traditional theological language compared to inclusive-language versions.
- The RSV is widely available for free online and in print formats.
- The RSV is still one of the top few versions cited in biblical commentaries and academic literature.
- Its updates provide a way to track the progress of biblical scholarship over the decades.
While utilizing more modern translations, many continue to appreciate the RSV for its faithfulness to the original text, its pioneering of scholarly translation principles, and its legacy of dignified English style.
Key Features of the RSV Translation
Here are some of the defining features and translational characteristics of the Revised Standard Version:
- Precise, literal rendering of Hebrew and Greek words, idioms, and grammar.
- Careful attention to translating theological terms consistently.
- Formal, dignified English vocabulary and style.
- Archaic forms of address like “thee” and “thou” used for God.
- Inclusive language not utilized; male-oriented words retained.
- footnote apparatus providing translation alternatives, explanations, and cross-references.
- Preference for manuscript evidence from oldest extant sources.
- Readability enhanced via shorter sentences, clauses, and paragraphs compared to previous versions.
- vertical gender-specific language generally avoided by using “you,” “they,” etc.
- Translated by a team of interdenominational Protestant biblical scholars.
These characteristics made the RSV both a precise, scholarly translation as well as an eloquent, dignified English text. It balanced accuracy and readability for its time.
Criticisms and Controversies Regarding the RSV
Despite its broad acceptance and use among Protestants, the Revised Standard Version also prompted criticism and controversy:
- Use of “young woman” instead of “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14 was viewed by some as liberal distortion.
- Translating Old Testament phrases as “the Lord” instead of “Jehovah” was disliked by some.
- Elimination of thee/thou when addressing God was seen as disrespectful.
- Rendering Greek “hilasmos” as “expiation” instead of “propitiation” in 1 John stirred debate.
- The RSV translators were perceived as being too liberal and skeptical by some conservatives.
- The RSV New Testament translation relied heavily on Westcott and Hort’s Greek text.
- Some words and phrases were rendered too obscurely for average readers.
- Favoring dynamic equivalence in some passages was viewed as distorting traditional interpretations.
The RSV received some criticisms at its publication, especially from conservatives concerned with the translators’ methodology and certain word choices. But it was largely well-received as an updated, readable Protestant translation.
The RSV Compared to Other Major Versions
When compared to other widely used Bible versions over the decades, the Revised Standard Version stands out in the following ways:
- Less literal than: ASV, NASB, ESV, NKJV, KJV
- More literal than: NIV, NLT, CEV, The Message
- More readable than: NKJV, NASB, KJV, ASV
- Less readable than: NLT, GNT, CEV, NIrV
- More formal than: NLT, CEV, NIV, CSB
- Less formal than: NKJV, NASB, KJV, ESV
In terms of both literalness to the original languages and literary elegance, the RSV hits a middle ground between very literal and very dynamic equivalence translations.
Significant Passages in the RSV
Some of the most theologically significant Bible passages as translated in the Revised Standard Version include:
- Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman’u-el.” (Uses “young woman” instead of “virgin”)
- Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
- Micah 5:2 – “But you, O Bethlehem Eph’rathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”
- Matthew 1:23 – “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us).”
- John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal…”
- Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”
These and other beloved passages have been cherished by generations of RSV readers and shaped understandings of key biblical doctrines.
Denominations and Groups that Use the RSV
Due to its broad, scholarly ecumenical approach, the Revised Standard Version has been widely used among:
- Mainline Protestant churches – United Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA), Presbyterian Church (USA), etc.
- Eastern Orthodox churches
- Some Roman Catholic churches and individuals
- More liberal evangelical churches and seminaries
- Mainstream Bible colleges and seminaries
- Bible scholars, academics, and theologians
- Ecumenical study groups and clerical associations
Conservative Protestant groups tend to favor more literal modern versions like the NASB and ESV over the RSV. But the RSV remains popular in wider ecumenical circles.
The RSV’s Influence on Modern Translations
As one of the most prominent mid-20th century English translations, the Revised Standard Version had significant influence on almost all major versions that followed it:
- It provided the foundation text for the popular New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
- The RSV modeled scholarly rigor and ecumenical translation principles.
- Its readable, dignified style was emulated by later versions.
- The RSV proved the acceptability of less literal, meaning-based translations.
- It set a new standard for using concise, modern language.
- Footnotes were utilized extensively to explain textual issues.
- It paved the way for gender-inclusive translations.
- The RSV shaped what readers came to expect from modern English Bibles.
Nearly every major translation in the past 50 years owes an enormous debt to the groundbreaking methodology and style of the Revised Standard Version.
Lasting Value of the Revised Standard Version
Although newer translations have been published, the Revised Standard Version continues to offer enduring value to Bible students today:
- It preserves a link to original ASV and its literal approach.
- The RSV is one of the most precisely literal English versions available.
- It serves as a record of progress in biblical scholarship during its era.
- The eloquent language is still appreciated by many as dignified and beautiful.
- The RSV avoids contemporary colloquial or slang language.
- It provides an alternative to gender-neutral translations.
- Footnotes provide helpful information on manuscript variances.
- Its style influenced almost all subsequent English translations.
For those desiring a historically grounded, literal yet literary translation, the Revised Standard Version still holds great appeal and usefulness today.