The Preservation of the Bible || Module 2 || Part 4

 

The Preservation of the Bible

The preservation of the Bible is one of the most remarkable aspects of its history. Over the centuries, the Bible has been copied, translated, and transmitted with exceptional accuracy, despite intense opposition and efforts to destroy it. The Bible’s preservation is attributed to both divine providence and the diligence of scribes, scholars, and believers throughout history. Here’s a comprehensive look at how the Bible was preserved:

1. Meticulous Copying by Scribes

The primary means of preserving the Bible, especially in its early stages, was through the meticulous work of scribes. These individuals were responsible for making hand-written copies of the scriptures, which were originally recorded on materials like papyrus and parchment.

• Old Testament:
  Jewish scribes, particularly the Masoretes, were known for their extreme care in copying the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). They counted every word and letter to ensure accuracy. Their work resulted in the Masoretic Text, which became the authoritative Hebrew text of the Old Testament.

  • Deuteronomy 6:6-9:
    "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

    This passage reflects the Jewish commitment to preserving the Word of God and passing it down through generations.

• New Testament:
  Early Christian scribes also took great care in copying the texts of the New Testament. The Byzantine scribes and later monastic communities played a crucial role in preserving the New Testament manuscripts. Thousands of copies of the New Testament were made, leading to a rich manuscript tradition.

2. The Role of Manuscripts

The Bible was preserved through a vast number of ancient manuscripts, which provide a strong foundation for the accurate transmission of the biblical text.

• Old Testament Manuscripts:
  The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 was a monumental event in the preservation of the Bible. These scrolls, dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 1st century A.D., contain portions of nearly every book of the Old Testament. They closely align with the later Masoretic Text, showing that the Hebrew scriptures were faithfully transmitted over centuries.

  • Isaiah 40:8:
    "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

    This verse emphasizes God’s promise to preserve His Word through the ages.

• New Testament Manuscripts:
  The New Testament is the best-attested ancient document in terms of manuscript evidence. There are over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, along with thousands of early translations in Latin, Coptic, and Syriac. Some of the earliest manuscripts, like the Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, date to the 4th century A.D. These manuscripts help scholars reconstruct the original text with high confidence.

3. Translations and the Spread of the Bible

Another key element in the Bible's preservation was its translation into various languages, which helped it reach new audiences and survive different cultural transitions.

• Septuagint:
  The Septuagint was a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures made around the 3rd century B.C. It was widely used by Jews in the Hellenistic world and became the primary Old Testament text for early Christians.

• Vulgate:
  In the 4th century A.D., Jerome translated the Bible into Latin, producing the Vulgate, which became the standard Bible of the Western Church for over a millennium. The Vulgate ensured the survival of the Bible during the Middle Ages when Latin was the language of scholarship.

  • Psalm 119:89:
    "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

    This verse reflects the enduring nature of God's Word, which was preserved in many languages.

• The Reformation and Vernacular Translations:
  During the Protestant Reformation, the Bible was translated into vernacular languages (the common languages of the people), such as Martin Luther’s German Bible (1522) and William Tyndale’s English Bible (1526). These translations played a vital role in making the Bible accessible to ordinary people and ensuring its preservation across cultures.

4. The Printing Press

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century revolutionized the preservation and dissemination of the Bible. The first major book printed using movable type was the Gutenberg Bible (1455), which allowed for the mass production of Bibles for the first time in history. This development greatly reduced the potential for errors in copying and increased the availability of the Bible across Europe.

• Isaiah 59:21:
  "As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever."

5. Persecution and Survival

Throughout history, the Bible has faced intense opposition, yet it has survived numerous attempts to destroy it. From Roman emperors like Diocletian, who ordered the burning of Christian scriptures, to later state-sponsored censorship by governments and religious authorities, the Bible has been targeted for destruction.

• Diocletian’s Persecution:
  In A.D. 303, Roman Emperor Diocletian issued an edict to destroy all Christian scriptures. However, just a decade later, Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and commissioned the production of 50 copies of the Bible for the churches in Constantinople.

• The Medieval Church and Bible Bans:
  During the Middle Ages, the Bible was restricted in some regions, and translations into vernacular languages were banned in certain countries. Despite these efforts, groups like the Waldensians and Lollards risked their lives to preserve and distribute the Bible.

  • Matthew 24:35:
    "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

    This passage underscores the Bible's indestructibility, even in the face of fierce opposition.

6. Divine Providence

Ultimately, Christians believe that the preservation of the Bible is not solely due to human effort but is a result of God’s divine providence. God has promised to preserve His Word throughout the ages, and history demonstrates His faithfulness in keeping this promise.

• Psalm 12:6-7:
  "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."

• 1 Peter 1:25:
  "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

These verses reflect the belief that God actively oversees the preservation of His Word, ensuring that it remains available for all generations.

Conclusion

The preservation of the Bible is a testimony to the faithfulness of God and the dedication of those who valued His Word throughout history. From the careful copying by scribes, the multitude of manuscripts, the translation efforts, and the invention of the printing press, to its survival through persecution, the Bible has been remarkably preserved. Today, it stands as the most widely distributed and translated book in human history, available to people of every nation, fulfilling God's promise that His Word will endure forever.