Logos Staff
With all the Bible translations available, here are four reasons the CSB stands out.
1. The CSB is accurate and understandable
These goals, taken from the CSB’s introduction, show the translators’ and publisher’s intention to honor God, preserve his word, and spread the gospel:
- Provide English-speaking people worldwide with an accurate translation in contemporary English.
- Provide an accurate translation for personal study, sermon preparation, private devotions, and memorization.
- Provide a text that is clear and understandable, suitable for public reading, and shareable so that all may access its life-giving message.
- Affirm the authority of Scripture and champion its absolute truth against skeptical viewpoints.
2. The CSB is easy to read
Rather than taking a translation philosophy of formal equivalence (word for word) or dynamic equivalence (thought for thought), CSB’s philosophy is optimal equivalence.
What’s that, exactly?
CSB’s editors explain it this way:
Optimal equivalence starts with an exhaustive analysis of the text at every level (word, phrase, clause, sentence, discourse) in the original language to determine its original meaning and intention (or purpose). Then, relying on the latest and best language tools and experts, the nearest corresponding semantic and linguistic equivalents are used to convey as much of the information and intention of the original text with as much clarity and readability as possible. This process assures the maximum transfer of both the words and the thoughts contained in the original.
Compare how Luke 7:36–38 reads in the CSB, ESV, and KJV.
CSB Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume. |
ESV
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. |
KJV
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. |
The result of such natural text is that readers see new things in well-worn passages.
3. The CSB is backed by respected theologians
More than 100 conservative, evangelical scholars from 17 denominations translated from the best available Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic source texts.
A quick highlight of three translators represents the level of scholarship and dedication to Scriptures you’ll find among CSB’s translators:
- Thomas R. Schreiner, professor of New Testament Interpretation and Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Schreiner’s works include Romans in the Baker Exegetical Commentary Series, Believer’s Baptism: The Covenant Sign of the New Age in Christ, and New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ.
- David Allen, dean and distinguished professor of preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Allen’s publications include 1–3 John in the Preach the Word Commentary Series and Hebrews in the New American Commentary.
- Iain M. Duguid, professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Duguid has written many books and articles, including Ezekiel in the NIV Application Commentary Series, Ruth and Esther in the Reformed Expository Commentary Series, and Numbers in the Preach the Word Commentary Series.
4. The CSB pairs with helpful study resources
The CSB Study Bible Notes help readers better understand and apply God’s Word. They include
- 15,000+ study notes, many written by the translator(s) for each book
- 315 word studies
- 141 photographs
- 62 timelines
- 59 maps
- and more
With side-by-side scrolling in Logos, you can read your Bible and see related notes simultaneously so you can dig deeper without taking extra time to find your place.
Get the CSB and accompanying study notes today.
James-Michael Smith
Michael F. Bird
Daniel Yoon
Rob Eddy