The study of the Bible is a joyful work. But often the reader of the Scriptures becomes discouraged when he is confronted by the wealth of information contained in their pages. He has to deal with sixty-six books, all setting forth the same great theme of God and man, but each containing different material, presented in widely different ways. The most obvious question to him then is, How can I master all this material? So he may need some help.
Those who study the Bible Lesson prepared for each week in the Christian Science Quarterly will use the King James Version regularly. And many feel that for the student looking for inspired meanings no other Bible translation quite equals the King James Version. There is much spiritual insight in its pages—and more use of elemental words than in any other translation. While its language is sometimes archaic, this great version stands unrivaled in its literary beauty.
Besides the King James Version many students have found it helpful to have on hand one or several other Bible translations. Mrs. Eddy herself sometimes refers to other translations; there are even cases where she uses one of these in place of the King James Version, as in the words "cast out demons" Matt. 10:8; in the cross and crown emblem on the cover of her writings. Modern translations correct textual errors. They can rely upon a greater knowledge of Hebrew and Greek and thus bring out the original meaning of many a word. Because of new knowledge, new renditions have the tendency to be more specific, thereby narrowing down the meaning of an expression or phrase. This has advantages and disadvantages. The King James Version often gives one a more generic term than a modern translation, and so a wider range of possible meanings.
