Comparing Bible Translations of Matthew 6:1–18
This paper analyzes three Bible translations — The Message, the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the New International Reader's Version (NIrV) — as applied to Matthew 6:1–18, the "Sermon on the Mount" passage addressing prayer, fasting, and charitable giving. The paper examines the intended audience and purpose of each translation, identifies significant differences in layout, word choice, and tone, and offers a personal translation preference along with a recommendation for new Christians. The NASB is favored for its formal accuracy and versatility, while the NIrV is recommended for new believers due to its simplified vocabulary and accessible structure.
- Audience and Purpose of Matthew 6:1–18: Context, setting, and audience of the passage
- Themes of Prayer, Fasting, and Giving: Three core themes and Christ's warnings on sincerity
- Key Differences Between the Three Translations: Layout and structural differences across translations
- Word Choice and Language Variation: Diction, tone, and informal versus formal language
- Preferred Translation: The NASB: Author's preference for NASB accuracy and style
- Recommended Translation for New Christians: NIrV recommended for accessibility and simplicity
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What makes this paper effective
- Grounds each analytical claim in specific verse references, making the argument traceable and verifiable within the biblical text.
- Provides concrete side-by-side examples of translation differences (e.g., "three square meals" vs. "daily bread") rather than relying on vague generalizations.
- Balances objective textual analysis with clearly marked personal preference, distinguishing descriptive and evaluative sections cleanly.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates comparative textual analysis: it selects a single passage and systematically examines how three distinct translations handle the same content across multiple dimensions — layout, diction, tone, and audience appropriateness. This technique is useful in religious studies and hermeneutics courses where students must evaluate interpretive choices embedded in translation decisions.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens by establishing the scriptural context and the passage's three central themes. It then moves to a structured comparison of translation differences, organized by layout and language. The final two sections shift from analysis to recommendation, addressing the writer's own preference and an audience-specific suggestion for new Christians. The structure follows a description-then-evaluation pattern common in short comparative essays.
Audience and Purpose of Matthew 6:1–18
Matthew 6:1–18 falls under the scriptural section titled "Sermon on the Mount." Here, Christ is addressing individuals from neighboring localities who had followed him. According to Luke 7:1 and Matthew 8:5, the nearest city was Capernaum.
The three translations combine three themes: praying (6:5–6), fasting (6:16–18), and giving (6:2–4). Individuals are cautioned to perform these acts in a way that goes unnoticed by others (6:1, 5, 16), and are instead urged to attend to God's judgment, since He can see whatever is done secretly by man (6:4, 6, 18). The first verse dominates the entire discussion: man is advised not to perform righteous deeds before others in order to be seen. If one performs good deeds for show, God will not offer any reward for them. As a comparison with verse 5:16 makes clear, the key issue is one's intention. It is worth noting that Christ, aside from separately mentioning the three themes, recognizes all three under the single word "righteousness."
Bibliography
Barnes, Robert. "Secret, Secret, Secret: A Sermon on Matthew 6:1–18." 2001. Accessed November 25, 2016. http://www.thirdmill.org/files/english/html/nt/NT.h.Barnes.Matthew.6.1-18.html.
Burke, Dave. "Translation Comparison: The Message, NASB, & NIrV." 2011. Accessed November 25, 2016. https://www.academia.edu/4377811/Translation_Comparison_The_Message_NASB_and_NIrV.
Chamblin, Knox. "Commentary and Lesson on Matthew 6:1–18." Accessed November 25, 2016. http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/kno_chamblin/NT.Chamblin.Matt.6.1-18.pdf.
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