Direct Answer
Bercot presents this as evidence that modern translations have generally not prioritized early Christian interpretation, despite its historical value. The implication is that modern Christianity often relies more on contemporary translators’ understandings than on the testimony of Christians closer to the apostles and their language.
Support from Transcript
- He says, “There have been over 50 different translations made of the New Testament into English.” - Yet “not one of these translations has attempted to translate the Greek the way the early Christians understood it.” - He asks, “What better place is there to go for historic evidence” of New Testament usage than early Christians? - He questions whether we really understand “the informal Greek of the New Testament better than the second-century Christians.” - He reminds readers that “plain Greek was their everyday language” for many early Christians. - He argues that common sense should lead us to “lean heavily on their understandings.”
Discussion Follow-ups
The transcript does not evaluate specific modern scholars or translations by name beyond the New American Standard examples, but it clearly challenges modern neglect of early Christian testimony.