In our world of 8 billion people the Bible continues to be translated into new languages each year. Some statistics will show us just how much work has been done in translating the Bible into other languages as well as how much more work needs to be done.
According to the Wycliffe Global Alliance1 (all statistics are from 2021) there are 7,378 languages in the world. Wycliffe estimates that of the world population of 7.9 billion 3,495 languages have some Scripture. That would mean that approximately 7 billion people have some Scripture in their native tongue. Of these 3,495 languages, 717 languages have a complete Bible reaching 5.75 billion people. 1,582 languages have a complete New Testament reaching 830 million people And 1,196 languages have at least some portion of Scripture reaching 457 million people.
While these statistics are encouraging there is still much work to be done since approximately 3,900 languages with a total population of 900 million still do not have any portion of the Bible in their native tongue.
Clearly there is no other book on the planet that can boast these amazing translation statistics. Yet there are many countries today such as China and North Korea where owning a Bible can get you thrown into prison and even worse. These oppressive nations understand full well that wherever the Bible goes it creates real freedom. Horace Greeley shared this thought well when he said: “It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”2
So, what should our role as Christians be in this battle for the human soul? First, we need to pray that organizations like the Wycliffe Global Alliance continue to translate the Bible into those languages that still have no Scriptures in their native tongue. Second, contribute financially to the cause of Bible translation work. Third, share the precious word of life (the Bible) with others as the Lord opens up opportunities. And fourth, express gratitude to the Lord that you have the great privilege of owning a Bible.
My friends we are living in exciting times where the Bible continues to reach more and more people with the life transforming message of Christ. I would like to personally commend the Wycliffe Global Alliance for the amazing translation work they are doing around the world today. But there is still much work to be done so let’s continue to pray that one day the whole world will have the Bible in their native tongue!
1 2021 Scripture Access Statistics – Wycliffe Global Alliance
2 Quote by Horace Greeley: “It is impossible to enslave, mentally or social…” (goodreads.com)
“Let’s continue to pray that one day the whole world will have the Bible in their native tongue!”
This is why we must have an eschatology of victory. Those who preach that the world is going to hell in a hand basket, must be called to Biblical accountability. Do the following verses sound like the church, that the gates of hell shall not prevail over, is failing to conquer the world?
“I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:18
How about Habakkuk 2:14
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” What a promise for the translators!
From the time of Christ’s birth, we are told that “to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” Isa. 9:6 He is taking back this world with the gospel message.
Have you ever thought about the extent of God’s kingdom and why it’s likened to leaven? “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” Matthew 13:33
Of course, don’t forget the mustard seed. “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matt. 13:31-32
We could talk about Christ overcoming the world, putting Satan in chains so he cannot deceive the nations we are evangelizing with Bible translations. Those nations that will become disciples under the absolute authority of Christ. Matt. 28:18-19 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”
We could go on but just know that it is fulfilling a prophesied mandate when we get God’s Word into the hands of those who have never heard its message. God bless the work of Bible translators.
I had no idea!
Elaine