Nicholas King is a lecturer at Oxford University. He is a well-respected New Testament scholar and has been working on this ground-breaking translation from the original Greek for the past few years. He is currently working on a translation of the Old Testament, and last year wrote a Lent resource for us, Thirsting for God.
Many of the Bible translations in the English language usually have an element of style and uniformity imposed on them, which is defined by a particular agenda. This could be to amplify the text in order to explain word meanings, to paraphrase it, to produce smooth-reading, to use a limited vocabulary for easy reading, or to produce a translation in more modern English, etc. Nicholas King’s translation is highly unusual and innovative. His aim has been to keep as close as possible to the original Greek in every way, including grammatical errors and idiomatic peculiarities. As a consequence, his text is at times startling, exceptionally fresh and stimulating, and because of this it is possible to gain exciting new insights. Sometimes passages which have become ‘tired’ because they are so familiar to us, have been so frequently quoted and favoured, or heard so often in church, jump out with renewed vigour and meaning. This translation is infused with a raw power.
It is exceptionally useful for individual or group study as it is accompanied by a running commentary and very accessible notes which explore the teaching, personalities and purposes of the New Testament writers. The notes after each chapter end with a question to help draw out various themes to provoke thought or discussion, frequently relating these to relevant issues for Christians today.
The translation has already gained enthusiastic endorsements:
‘Instantly accessible, with comments both lively and unobtrusive which bring the text home to readers of all backgrounds. This is a fine and quite distinctive addition to the ranks of Scripture translations. As a guide to the kind of study that will nourish a robust and grown-up faith, it will be hard to beat.’ Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
‘I welcome this fresh translation of the New Testament. Nicholas King has succeeded in putting into English something of the raw power that the first Christians experienced when they heard or read the documents.’ Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster
‘Wonderfully refreshing, like a splash of cold water on one’s face. The translation hits you between the eyes and certainly makes you sit up and take notice, waking you from the torpor of over familiarity with the text . . . amazing new insights and understanding that come to light. A splendid piece of work’ Desmond Tutu, Archbishop of Cape Town
‘Lively touches which make this new translation gripping and attractive. I hope that this translation will become an icon for the twenty-first century’ Henry Wansborough OSB, General Editor of The New Jerusalem Bible
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