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Originally Posted by Burgon'sGhost  What then by brother is the standard NT Greek text for comparison to know a English translation deviant? |
Hi Ghost,
The above is somewhat of a loaded question
. I say this because there is not ONE standard Greek Text used. With the difference among scholars as to the "quality" of Greek texts available, this question is going to be answered based on what "group" you hang with.
I prefer the Novum Testamentum Graece (most just call it Nestle-Aland because of their work on it.) This as you know is the Greek Text used for the NASB. My NASB 95 update has the 26th edition of the Nestle but I think there has been one or perhaps two "updates" to that since then. I don't know if they are using 27th or 28th editions now. Why do I prefer this... bias
. I'm just being honest bro!
Most of the work being done on translations today makes use of Nestle-Aland. Not only this, it is the text used by most schools of preaching and universities (I say most- but that is my opinion based on talking with those that took Greek). I still have my little blue edition of Novum Testamentum Graece sitting on my book shelf next to all my dusty Greek books and study aids. Of course, while in school all my memory work was used from this text as well. Since this was way back in 91 I would have to look to see what edition it was.
I think this version of the Greek Text is preferred for some good reasons.
1. It has had extensive scholarly review, revision, and critical debate done to it.
2. It is one of the best footnoted Greek Testaments for variant renderings. Excellent for a discussion on Textual Variants when they come up. (Again, I recommend Bruce Terry and his book on variants)
3. Metzger (you know he died last year-right?) likes it and I am appreciative of his work in the area of Textual Criticism.
4. We used Gordon Fee's book in class, so I was exposed to his work and he defended the use of this Greek Text.
5. My biggest reason- it makes use of the critical text. I want the most amount of texts gathered, considered, compared and then a decision made with relevant variants noted.
So I am the first to admit Ghost, that my liking of it as a "Standard Greek Text" is as you can see, slightly biased because of my background.
I do not use the NASB 95 Update exclusively, but have come to appreciate its English translation of the Greek Text (Nestle-Aland). I have been perplexed by their choice of some of the variants, but a study usually brings me to at least understand why it was chosen- even if I still disagree.
Thanks for the questions and I do hope that you feel welcomed to the site. Welcome!
Brotherly,
Don