The Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew with portions composed in Aramaic. The New Testament was written primarily in Koine, Greek, the common language spoken throughout much of the Roman world during the first century. Over the centuries, these writings were translated into Latin, Syriac, and Coptic, and eventually hundreds of other languages carrying the message of Scripture across continents, cultures, and generations.

The process of translating the Bible became part of world history itself. Think about this for a moment, please. The Bible, the Bible was not originally written in English. The Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew with portions in Aramaic. While the New Testament was written in Greek for centuries, most people could not read those languages, which meant access to scripture was often limited. Many people depended on religious leaders to read and explain the scriptures for them.

But some believe God’s word should be available to everyone. Men of extraordinary courage, like William Tyndale, were willing to risk imprisonment, persecution, and even death. So ordinary people like you and me could read the Bible in our own language.

Tyndale believed that scripture should not be reserved only for scholars, clergy, or the educated elite. He believed it belonged to the hands of everyday people like us. Sadly, his commitment to translating the Bible in English ultimately led to his arrest and execution.

His English translation would later influence much of the language found in the King James Bible, leaving a legacy that continues to shape the English speaking world to this day.