The Amplified Bible

[Lone Wolfe]

I was hoping to get some insight/input on the Amplified Bible that has been suggested to me? If anyone here at the forum has this version of the Bible, would you please share your views on owning this Bible please?

I have a few bibles here at home but, they are the NKJV and the NIV versions and I'm still having problems understanding a lot of what is being said and, those who have suggested this Amplified Bible claim it is written in simple English and much easier to understand in today's terms. I did a little research online and it does look like it would be very helpful to me but, I have to be very frugal with my money and they are not cheap from what I have been able to find (even online) so, I want to be sure I'm spending my money wisely here???

Thanks so much for your insight/input. It is truly appreciated.

 

[blackribbon]

I like the NIV...but I own many different Bibles. I have owned this version at some time...I think it was the one of the ones we used at Lakewood Church when I went there as a kid (when it was under John Osteen). For that reason, I'm a little hesitant.

However, I do have a suggestion. If you go to BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages. , you can put in a verse or a series of verses and then choose which translation you want to read it in. This would allow you to access other versions when you want additional references without having to buy them. You can also enter the name of a translation of the bible and it will tell you the history of that translation. Also, Bible Answer man is a wealth of information on the different translations/paraphrases.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

And if you take Blackribbon's suggestion it won't cost you anything .

I, personally always wanted an amplified version, but never got one. I like the NIV, but I read the American Standard Version, myself. I like it best because it is a trusted translation. The NIV is OK but there are parts (very few) that have been in dispute. I still think it is a fine version.

Bo, the amplified version just gives more terms or it just expands on key words or phrases

read this: What is the Amplified Bible (AMP)?

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Thanks for that link BR. I think I have decided on the New International Reader's Version because it's much easier to read and yet it doesn't really changed the format of the NIV.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate ya'll on this forum!

 

[dayhiker]

I have an Amplified Bible. I like it and carried it to church and Bible studies for a few years. I'm not sure it is easy to read. The vocabulary of the OT and NT was a lot smaller than we use today. So words back then tended to have broader meanings and thus not be so technically specific in what they meant. Bible translators today there for usually pick on of several English words hoping to get the smaller meaning the original author had in mind.
The Amplified Bible approach is to not pick one work but to list a few words for each word in the original languages. So one then gets the breadth of meaning in the original from reading it. But that also means it doesn't read that smoothly. Tho the author of the Amplified Bible did a great job of putting the short lists together so it can be lead.
All woman can rejoice because it was written by a woman.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I didn't know it was written by a woman?

 

[blackribbon]

Darn, I thought it was written by God. <wink>

 

[dayhiker]

lol .. guess it depends on which level we talk about.

 

[blackribbon]

Well, if I read a book that was written originally in French but translated by someone else...the author remains the same...and the translating and/or editing credit is given to the appropriate person. So when we get to the Bible...we also might have to give credit to who-ever's pen God chose to use in the very first place.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Well, after a lengthy conversation with the young man at the local Christian Family Center & Book Store, I decided on the Amplified Version for several reasons. He showed several versions, NKJV, NIV, NIrV, ASV and the Amplified Version and this by far was much easier to understand and easier to look things up with the type of index it has. It's also the large text version which really makes for easier reading.

I got the new bible, page tabs and a real nice leather bible cover w/zipper all for just under $40 which I felt was a good deal. This is a hard cover bible too, not a paperback version. It has both OT & NT which is nice because my other two bibles are NT versions only. The bible that was my late wife's bible is also OT & NT but, it is the KJV which I really have trouble with? Plus, her bible is 30+ years old and I want to keep it in nice condition and we really need our very own bible anyway, lol.

Thanks everyone for your input, I truly do appreciate you all.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

BTW, they even have a Joyce Meyer Version and I thought that was a pretty arrogant thing to do in my opinion???

 

[dayhiker]

I have a Dakes Bible which I feel is fine, because it has his life work in studying the Bible. Most of these other people who have their name on a Bible had some staff member pull some stuff together and add it to the Bible and put their name on it to raise money. I don't by those. Good point Wolfe.

 

[blackribbon]

BTW, they even have a Joyce Meyer Version and I thought that was a pretty arrogant thing to do in my opinion???

Oy! I'd hate to stand in front of our Lord one day and say..."Well, I picked out the cover design and font, don't I get some credit for that?"

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well.......um..........I currently use a Charles Stanley Life Principles American Standard Version Bible because it has about 30 study lessons which I am going thru for a second time now....is that bad?

My husband used an NIV toward the latter years of his life, but he also had this really cool Thompson Chain reference Bible that was very imformative, but it was in KJ version and I think he gave it away before he died.

I have another American Standard Version, that is my Bible (with my name on it ) I think it's a Zondervan?

So IDK if I think it's arrogant or not. Would I buy a Joyce Meyer Bible? Probably not but all Bibles usually carry some sort of name so you at least know how it was translated. Joyce Meyer happens to like the Amplified Version.

That's one issue with the Mormons and their Bible. They claim that their "Prophets" or whoever "translated" their Bible didn't want recognition because they were so humble, so they do not have their names, so there is no way to verify if the translators knew Hebrew or Greek, or any other thing.

 

[blackribbon]

I guess spiritual leader's name might go on the Bible if they include study notes or other writings in them. I didn't think about that. NIV or Amplified or KJV or Living serve to identify who (and therefore identifying the methods used) translated or paraphrase the Bible from the original languages.

...so IF Joyce Meyers actually contributed some prayers or mini-studies between the cover of an Amplified Bible, then I guess, who cares.

 

[dayhiker]

I think we are trying to discern what the motive of these ministers are. Are they doing this to raise money? Are they doing it because they really want to help people follow Jesus. If the later, I'm not buying anything from them. If the former, then I would.

The amazing thing about the Holy Spirit is how often even when a minister has missed what God wanted them to do, the Holy Spirit still uses them so often to help people find God and start to build that foundation in their life. I don't know how many Christians I've talked to who started out in a Christianity Lite church, as Michelle worded it, and then later needed more and found it in some other church.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I totally agree with you dayhiker. God uses whatever means HE wants to because He CAN. So yes, in that sense, some of these ministers can be totally off the mark, but it does not mean that some people are truly blessed by their teachings.
I grew up as a christian listening to alot of the big name it and claim it preachers like Charles Capps and the Copelands and Hagins. I've listened to Joyce Meyer, Fred Price and alot of others. I don't now, but I've grown up alot in the Word too.

I believe if WE are truly believers God will not let us hang out to dry on some 2 bit preacher and the Holy Spirit will guide us to the truth. But if we do NOT study and know our Bible we could be susceptible to being deceived just like some of these preachers.

To ME, it just shows how narrow the path is and how EASY it is to be deceived. Because if these supposedly learn ed men can be deceived, how much easier can we who are not as learn ed?