This year (2026) marks the 500th anniversary of
William Tyndale’s 1526 translation of the New Testament into English from the
Received Greek Text. This was the first time that English speaking people were
able to read a faithful translation of the Bible from the originals in their
mother tongue. The Roman Catholic Church forbade such translations, maintaining
that the Bible could only be read in Latin, a language which few (including even
the priests) knew.
For his labors, Tyndale was put to
death on October 6, 1536. In Foxe’s Book of Martyrs it is reported that his
final words were “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” The Lord heard that
prayer, and the English Bible triumphed. Tyndale added more than 1,700 words to
the English language, using for the first time words like atonement,
intercession, scapegoat, Jehovah, Passover, etc. It is estimated that eighty-percent
plus of the words in the New Testament of the King James Version translation
(1611) were taken from Tyndale.
God gave Tyndale a zeal for translating God’s Word for ordinary
believers. He wrote of what motivated his work:
I had perceived by experience, how
that it was impossible to establish the lay-people in any truth, except the
scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue, that they
might see the process, order, and meaning of the text.
Indeed, he wanted his kinsmen to receive the spiritual benefits
of access to God’s Word, recommending:
It is not enough, therefore, to read and talk of
it only, but we must also desire God, day and night instantly, to open our
eyes, and to make us understand and feel whereof the scripture was given, that
we may apply the medicine of scripture, every man to his own sores….
He
added:
As thou readest, therefore, think that every syllable
pertaineth to thine own self, and suck out the pith of the scripture, and arm
thyself against all assaults.
On
this 500th anniversary we give thanks to the Lord for the English
Bible and the blessing it has been to us and the world.
Grace
and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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