Michael Brooks
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a translation of the Bible that was first published in 2001. It is derived from the 1971 text edition of the Revised Standard Version (RSV). The ESV has been the subject of some criticism, including for its use of gender-neutral language and dated language. However, it is also esteemed as one of the most faithful English translations of the Bible. The ESV has an emphasis on close proximity to the original Hebrew and Greek texts. The Catholic Church has approved the use of the ESV-CE (English Standard Version – Catholic Edition) for liturgical use in several countries, including India, England, and Wales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first publication | 2001 |
| Publisher | Crossway |
| Derived from | 1971 text edition of the Revised Standard Version |
| Criticism | Use of gender-neutral language, use of dated language, inconsistent use of gender-neutral language |
| Approval | Approved by the Catholic Church, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, the Vatican |
| Use | Required for liturgical use throughout India, basis for the new Lectionary for Catholics in England and Wales |
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What You'll Learn
- The English Standard Version (ESV) is a Catholic translation of the Bible
- The ESV is derived from the 1971 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
- The ESV has been criticised for its use of gendered language
- The ESV has been approved for liturgical use in several countries
- The ESV is considered a precise and accessible translation
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a Catholic translation of the Bible
The ESV-CE is a translation that seeks to reproduce the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each biblical writer. It emphasizes word-for-word correspondence while taking into account differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. The ESV-CE is also recognized for its beautiful, accessible, and elegant prose, providing a fresh experience of God's word for readers.
The ESV-CE has been approved by the Catholic Church and the Vatican, and it adheres to Catholic teaching. It draws on recent archaeological discoveries and is translated from more reliable manuscripts of the biblical books than older English translations. The ESV-CE has been approved for liturgical use in India, and it is the basis for the new Lectionary and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics in England and Wales.
The ESV-CE has faced some criticism, including from the Ireland-based Association of Catholic Priests, which criticized the use of gender-neutral language, perceiving terms such as "mankind" and "brothers" as diminishing and disrespectful towards women. Additionally, some have pointed out awkward phrases and translational inconsistencies in the ESV-CE, such as the use of "servant" instead of "deacon" in Romans 16.1.
Despite these criticisms, the ESV-CE is considered by many to be the most faithful, precise, and beautiful English translation of the Bible available today.
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The ESV is derived from the 1971 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a translation of the Bible in contemporary English, published in 2001 by Crossway. The ESV was created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors. It is derived from the 1971 text edition of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).
The ESV relies on recently published critical editions of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Crossway describes the ESV as a translation that adheres to an "essentially literal" translation philosophy, taking into account differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. It emphasizes ""word-for-word" accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning.
The ESV is a revision of the 1971 text edition of the RSV, which itself was a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) published in 1901. The RSV was the first translation of the Bible to make use of the Dead Sea Scroll of Isaiah, a development considered "revolutionary" in biblical scholarship. The RSV New Testament was well-received, but reactions to the Old Testament were varied and controversial. Critics claimed that the translators had translated the Old Testament from a non-Christian perspective.
The ESV, in comparison to the RSV, reverts certain disputed passages to their prior rendering as found in the ASV. The ESV also differs from the NRSV in its sparing use of gender-inclusive language, depending on the context. The ESV has received endorsements from numerous evangelical pastors and theologians, including John Piper and R. C. Sproul.
The ESV has also been released in a Catholic Edition (ESV-CE), which has been approved by the Catholic Church. The ESV-CE is a modified form of the ESV Bible, reviewed by Catholic scholars to ensure adherence to Catholic teaching. It is translated directly from more reliable manuscripts of the biblical books and seeks to reflect the Church's theological tradition, emphasizing the unity between the Old and New Testaments. The ESV-CE has been adopted by Catholic churches in India, Scotland, England, and Wales.
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The ESV has been criticised for its use of gendered language
The English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible has been criticised for its use of "gender-exclusive" language, which some argue obscures the meaning of the text for modern readers and can lead to false interpretations. The ESV's translators have been accused of intentionally using gendered language to promote an agenda of male leadership and headship in the family. For instance, in the creation narrative, God says, "Let us make man in our image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26-27), and the ESV retains the Old English term "man" to describe all humanity, while other translations use "human beings" or "people".
The ESV's resistance to gender-neutral language has been a matter of serious concern for female readers and Catholic clergy, who argue that it demeans and disrespects women. For example, when an apostolic letter begins with a greeting to "the brethren" or "the brothers," it is addressing the whole church, not just males. However, the ESV's translation of Colossians 1:2, "To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae," excludes female members of the church. Critics argue that this is inaccurate and that more modern translations, such as the TNIV, better reflect Paul's intended audience with "To God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ."
The ESV's use of gendered language has been criticised as being out of touch with modern usage and diminishing of women. In 2020, the Ireland-based Association of Catholic Priests criticised the ESV for its use of terms such as "mankind" and "brothers," which are "culturally regarded as diminishing and disrespectful of women." Catholic clergy in England and Wales have also criticised the adoption of the ESV, arguing that it insults and patronises women, potentially driving them further away from the institution.
The ESV's translators have defended their choice of language, arguing for a word-for-word translation philosophy that prioritises proximity to the original Hebrew and Greek texts. They argue that the ESV is a more precise and transparent translation of the biblical texts, emphasising the unity between the Old and New Testaments. However, critics counter that the ESV's translation choices are biased and inconsistent, with some accusing the translators of intentionally promoting a conservative agenda.
Despite the criticism, the ESV® Catholic Edition has been approved by the Catholic Church in various regions, including India, Scotland, and England and Wales. The translation has been praised for its elegant and accessible prose, providing a fresh experience of God's Word while adhering to Catholic teachings.
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The ESV has been approved for liturgical use in several countries
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a translation of the Bible that was first published in 2001. It is an update of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1952 and 1971. The ESV has been approved for liturgical use in several countries, including India, England, and Wales.
In India, the Catholic Church approved the use of the ESV-CE (English Standard Version - Catholic Edition) as the required translation for liturgical use throughout the country in 2018. The ESV-CE is a modified version of the original ESV, reviewed by a team of Catholic scholars in India to ensure adherence to Catholic teachings. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India granted approval for this translation, as required by the Code of Canon Law.
In England and Wales, the ESV-CE has been approved as the basis for the new Lectionary and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics. This decision was made following the establishment of the English Liturgy after the Second Vatican Council, which approved the use of two different Catholic Bibles in these regions: the Jerusalem Bible (JB) and the Revised Standard Version (RSV) Catholic edition.
The ESV-CE is also recognized and approved by the Vatican, which granted the Imprimatur for this translation. This approval confirms the accuracy and precision of the ESV-CE, which draws on recent archaeological discoveries and more reliable manuscripts than older English translations. The ESV-CE seeks to reflect the Church's theological tradition and emphasize the unity between the Old and New Testaments. It also offers a fresh and accessible reading experience with clear and elegant English prose.
In summary, the ESV-CE has been approved for liturgical use in multiple countries, including India, England, and Wales. This approval is granted by the respective Catholic Church authorities and the Vatican, ensuring that the translation adheres to Catholic teachings and accurately reflects the original biblical texts.
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The ESV is considered a precise and accessible translation
The English Standard Version (ESV) is a precise and accessible translation of the Bible. It is a revised version of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of 1971, which itself was a revision of the 1611 King James Authorized Version. The ESV was first published in 2001 by Crossway Books and has since been translated into multiple languages.
The ESV is known for its commitment to translating the original Hebrew and Greek texts as closely as possible. This word-for-word translation philosophy ensures transparency to the original text, allowing readers to experience the structure and exact force of the original writing. The ESV also takes into account differences in grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages, resulting in a clear and elegant style that brings the Bible's meaning to life for modern readers.
The precision of the ESV is further enhanced by drawing on recent archaeological discoveries and more reliable manuscripts of the biblical books than older English translations. This makes it the most up-to-date translation available and helps it better reflect the Church's theological traditions, emphasizing the unity between the Old and New Testaments. The ESV's accessibility is evident in its use of modern language, avoiding archaic English that can be challenging for contemporary readers.
While the ESV has been generally well-received, it has also faced some criticism. Some, like Mark L. Strauss, argue that it uses dated language and inconsistently employs gender-neutral language. The Ireland-based Association of Catholic Priests, for example, criticized the ESV for its use of terms such as "mankind" and "brothers," which they perceive as diminishing and disrespectful towards women. Despite these criticisms, the ESV remains a widely used and trusted translation, particularly within Catholic communities, where it has been approved for liturgical use in several regions, including India, Scotland, England, and Wales.
The ESV Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) is a modified version of the original ESV, ensuring adherence to Catholic teachings. It has been approved by the Vatican and various Catholic bishops' conferences, including those in India, Scotland, England, and Wales. The ESV-CE is recognized for its beautiful and accessible prose, offering readers a fresh and meaningful experience of the Bible's message.
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Frequently asked questions
The English Standard Version (ESV) Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) is a translation of the Bible that has been approved by the Catholic Church and the Vatican. The ESV Catholic Edition (ESV-CE) was first released in India in 2018 and in North America in 2019.
The ESV-CE is a modified version of the ESV that has been reviewed by Catholic scholars to ensure it adheres to Catholic teaching. There are over 150 changes made to the ESV in the ESV-CE, including the use of gender-neutral language and the removal of archaic English.
The ESV is considered by some to be the most faithful and precise English translation of the Bible today. It emphasizes close proximity to the original Hebrew and Greek texts and is more up-to-date than older translations. However, some critics argue that the ESV uses dated language and inconsistent gender-neutral language.
The ESV-CE can be purchased from the Augustine Institute in North America and the Asian Trading Corporation in India. It is also available from online Catholic Bible stores.
