Why is Memorizing Passages even better than memorizing individual verses?

Because of context.

Context ALWAYS matters.

It is one thing to remember a phrase or a verse – such as ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. ‘

This is a great verse. Many people have clung to this verse and it’s been a source is strength and comfort for them. But what was Paul really talking about?

Context adds IMPACT

Here is the verse in the CEB (Common English Bible) version – ¹³ I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. 

Paul talking about ENDURING all THESE things is somewhat different than someone saying I can do anything and Christ will give me strength.   What is Paul referring to when he refers to himself enduring all these things?  – if you go back to Philippians Chapter 1, you will learn that Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians from PRISON.

 Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that the things that have happened to me have actually advanced the gospel. ¹³ The whole Praetorian Guard and everyone else knows that I’m in prison for Christ. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers and sisters have had more confidence through the Lord to speak the word boldly and bravely because of my jail time. (Phil 1:12-15)

Context provides additional meaning

So what is Paul actually trying to tell the Philippians to do?  Was Paul trying to tell them that they can do anything?  If you read earlier in the chapter, the message he is actually trying to impart is found in verse 4 –  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice

He goes on to say that he has always rejoiced and expands on that further in verses 11-13

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Context helps provide deeper understanding of what you have learned.

When all the writing in the letter (all the chapters and verses in Philippians) become ingrained in your head, and the words roll around in your brain like a melody, the Spirit provides wisdom and understanding.  He reveals things that are not at first evident.

Context helps reveal the big picture

God’s story woven throughout all of Scripture.  If we go back to what Paul is saying in the first chapter  – he is excited about being in prison because this has helped to advance the Gospel.  What is the common thread throughout the Bible – the Gospel.

Context helps the brain retain the information in the long term

Context helps us internalize what our brain learns – and live it every day.  When we live our day to day lives with the big picture of advancing the Gospel in mind, we are ready to do His work.  This is what soaks into our brains, it is precious and we retain it.

One more quick example from the same chapter in Philippians – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

This is another fantastic verse, but what does the whole paragraph say?

¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul is saying a blessing over the Philippians who were faithful supporters and contributors to his ministry.  This is not to say that God cannot or will not supply MY needs or YOUR needs, I just think it is important to know that this blessing over the Philippians was in response to their faithful giving.

The authors of Scripture wrote words, inspired by God, but they did not write individual verses. These authors wrote stories, songs, poems, letters, detailed accounts of events etc. that were divided into verses thousands of years later.

Whenever I hear a neat verse, I always want to learn more – what is the context? what is God’s message in this?  Memorizing full passages of Scripture are an incredible way to get deeper insight into his Word.

See my other posts about memorizing Scripture.

The Bible Translation War – 2 Years Later – NIV vs ESV

Bible Translation discussion – NIV1984 to NIV2011 and the ESV

Why was an updated NIV translation released? 3 reasons were given for the need for an update

1. Update in English general language usage,
2. Provide scholarly updates and
3. To provide clarity in phrasing.

The full translator’s notes can be read here: NIV Translator’s Notes. Another change made in NIV2011 was to include more gender-inclusive language – such as ‘brothers and sisters’ in place of ‘brothers’. Some commentary on gender neutrality and the history of NIV2011 see: Bible Version Wars – NIV vs ESV.

The use of the plural forms, such as they and them, in place of singular masculine forms was another change in direction. For example Hebrews 2:6 looks like this in the 3 versions:

• NIV1984 – “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
• NIV2011 – “What is manmankind that you are mindful of himthem, thea son of man that you care for him?
• ESV – “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?

Modern English and Clarity Phrasing changes look like this example in Romans 1:4:

• NIV1984 – and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
• NIV2011 – and who through the Spirit of holiness was declaredappointed with power to be the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
• ESV – and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

More information on these examples including additional details can be found in these two links:

• NIV2011 Romans Comparison
• NIV2011 Hebrews Comparison

How much has changed in the new version? NIV2011 Publishers say that 95% of the text remains the same as NIV1984, however, others have reviewed the changes made in comparison to the NIV1984 and found that 19030 verses (61.1%) are the same, and 12056 verses (38.8%) have changes made to them. It depends on if you are counting words or verses.

 

The ‘More Literal’ and ‘Less Literal’ Scale for Bible Translations

2 Years after the NIV update

I found something very odd when I went to look back to the research that I had done in 2012 when the International Committee was looking at ESV vs NIV2011. At the time of the change, there was information to be found in a lot of places, including institutions such as Focus on the Family, Bible Gateway, Southern Baptist Convention etc. There was also, of course, much talk in the blogosphere. At the time of my research, I had links to a few of these organizations’ sites only to find that 2 years later, these pages no longer exist. Focus on the Family no longer information specifically pointing to the NIV. It does however, have a page that lists translations that they recommend and the NIV is not included in their list of recommended translations.   The only place to find information from the time of the change is to try to find reputable writings in blogs. Here are a few examples:

• The Two Different NIVs (Patheos)
• The NIV2011 Forces a Choice (The Gospel Coalition)
• Farewell, NIV (Cripplegate)
• The SBC Resolution on the NIV (Denny Burke)
• Words Matter _ Why We Can’t Recommend the NIV

Concerns

Why did Zondervan demand that all NIV1984 copies be removed? – I have not found an answer to this question yet. Local Christian book store were ordered by NIV’s publisher, Zondervan, to turn in all NIV1984 versions in exchange for 2011 equivalents. I can understand an edition going out of print, but why go to the extent of having all printed copies PHYSICALLY removed? It is the same story with all online publishers, such as Bible Gateway, Blue Letter Bible etc. They were not permitted to offer the NIV1984 online.  If you go to the Biblica website, you won’t find a single reference to the 1984 version. If you go into a Christian bookstore, you will only see NIV Bibles. There is no indication that this is an updated version, or that it is not the same as the NIV you might have at home. One Pastor says he will not be recommending the NIV to his congregation because – The worldly marketing scheme that Zondervan seems to be following is one I don’t want to support with my congregation’s dollars.

Copyright differences – If Zondervan can remove all rights from printing NIV1984 in order to push the NIV2011, what is to stop them from doing it again 5 or 10 years down the road with an even newer version of the NIV and forcing organizations to make impacting and costly changes all over again? ESV’s publisher, Crossway has attempted to make the ESV translation easily and readily available to all. Here is the ESV Copyright information.

Publisher differences – ESV is published by Crossway, a multi-denominational non-profit organization. NIV is published by Zondervan which is owned by Harper Collins, a division of NewsCorp (owned by Rupert Murdoch).

Choosing ESV

Many well-known evangelical leaders have made bold statements declaring their support for the ESV. John Piper of Desing God.org is one of them. He states the following : We are building all our future ministry around the ESV…. The ESV satisfies the preaching, memorizing, studying, and reading needs of our church, from children to adults.” John Piper, Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Additional commentary on the ESV choice:

• NIV vs ESV and Why Piper Switched
• Why we should change from the NIV to the ESV
• What Bible Translations does Focus on the Family recommend?

 

If you go to the Biblica website (for NIV information) and the ESV website, you will see that they both have their share of supporters:

NIV Endorsements

ESV Endorsements

But I wondered if there was a connection between these well-renown speakers, the books they have published and their publisher and it turns out there is a definite correlation. For example, Andy Stanley recommends the NIV Bible. All have Andy Stanley’s books have been published by Zondervan. This is what I was able to find out:

ESV is recommended by:	Publisher of Author’s books	NIV is recommended by:	Publisher of Author’s books
Focus on the Family	Focus on the Family	Andy Stanley	Zondervan
Desiring God (John Piper)	Crossway	Craig Groeschel	Zondervan
JI Packer	Crossway	Jim Cymbala	Zondervan
R. Albert Mohler Jr.	Crossway & SBTS	Scot McKnight	Zondervan
Francis Chan	David C. Cook	Charles Stanley	Thomas Nelson (also owned by Harper-Collins/ Newscorp)
Kevin DeYoung	Crossway
Ravi Zaccharias	formerly Zondervan, now FaithWords

What do Other Quizzing and Bible Memorization Organizations use?

• AWANA – ESV
• Nazarene Bible Quizzing – Same Quiz Material Cycle, NIV2011
• Free Methodist Bible Quizzing – Different Quiz Material Cycle, NIV2011
• World Bible Quiz – ESV

Summary

In summary, based on my research, I would not choose the NIV2011 for my own personal Bible study. This is mostly due to the liberties that have been taken in the translation to provide ‘clarity’, as well as updating the use of English language. And having spent the last 2 years getting into the ESV translation to teach quizzers, I have come to appreciate it more and more and it has become my defacto translation.

However, I think the NIV translation committee had good intentions and I think it is a translation that God can use. It has some possible readability advantages that MAY make it easier to memorize. My biggest concern about using the translation for quizzing is that I no longer have faith in the publisher to stand by this translation, to not pull it whenever they see fit, or want to make additional profits etc. My recommendation would be to work with a non-profit organization like Crossway and continue with the well-respected ESV version.

 

	PROs	CONs
NIV2011	Readability, and therefore (maybe) easier to memorize	Risk of publisher not being trustworthy
	Common translation, found in homes, preached with	Some feel that the translation is less true and/or makes compromises; not recommended by some Christian organizations. A number of churches would withdraw from C&MA quizzing if the NIV is used.
ESV	Continuity, we have been using it for 2 years; not to introduce a 3rd version	Some have found it more difficult to memorize than NIV1984
	Trustworthy literal translation, well respected