Bible Translation as a Strategic Feat for Effective Evangelism
At the recently concluded 58th National Board Meeting of The Bible Society of Nigeria held in Maiduguri, Borno State, Rev. Paul Abraham Chadumi, Resident Pastor of EYN LCC Polo, Maiduguri, delivered a profound exhortation during the divine service on Bible Translation as a Strategic Feat for Effective Evangelism, highlighting the vital role of Bible translation in spreading the gospel. The Bible text was taken from Romans 10:6–11, 17. Below is a summary of his powerful message:
The Power of Language in Salvation
What a person hears shapes who they become — both in this life and in eternity. God, in His wisdom, has chosen to reach people through people. Since humans are rational beings, we process life through reasoning, and that reasoning is primarily expressed through language.
Language is not merely a tool; it is the medium of the heart. Every person best understands and resonates with the language they grew up hearing. That native language becomes the “machine language” of their heart. Therefore, the most effective way to communicate the gospel is through the language a person understands deeply — the language of their heart.
It is often said: “If you speak to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. If you speak to him in his own language, it goes to his heart.”
This principle underlines the importance of Bible translation. When the Scriptures are translated into the mother tongue of a people, the gospel message penetrates the heart — enabling a deeper understanding of God’s Word and a greater openness to salvation.
Biblical Evidence for Linguistic Inclusivity
In Genesis 11, God diversified human language at the Tower of Babel. Yet, during Pentecost in Acts 2, we see a reversal — a divine affirmation of every language as a valid channel for His Word. The disciples spoke in various tongues, and the pilgrims from across the world — Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond — heard the gospel in their own languages. This miraculous moment deeply moved their hearts, not just their minds.
God is not limited by tribe or tongue. He is the God of all people and all languages. Hearing the gospel in their own language gave people a sense of belonging to God’s family. It assured them that God knows, loves, and calls them by name.
Bible Translation as a Tool for Deep Evangelism
Habakkuk 2:2 instructs that the Word be written plainly so that even a runner may read and understand it. Bible translation makes the gospel clear, easy to understand, and easily shareable. It brings transformation, not just as head knowledge, but as heart conviction. Had the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 been reading a translation in his own language, perhaps he would not have struggled to understand the message until Philip intervened. Language should not be a barrier to divine truth.
The Incarnation: A Model of Contextual Communication
The incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 18) is the greatest model of contextualisation. God entered human culture, taking on flesh and speaking the language of the people — not Hebrew, but Aramaic, the lingua franca of His time. Jesus, as the ultimate Translator, mediated between God and humanity in a way people could understand. This is a blueprint for Bible translation — community-driven, understandable, and culturally relevant.
The Mandate of Scripture Translation
Revelation 5:9 and 15:4 show that God desires worship from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This worship can only happen when people hear and understand His righteous acts in their own languages. Bible translation enables this. It equips people to worship God authentically, not by copying other cultures, but by encountering God within their own.
The Strategic Role of the Church
Bible translation is not just a linguistic task — it is a mission mandate.
A Final Charge
As individuals, even as we support the availability of the Bible in multiple languages and formats, we must ensure that the version of the Bible our lives represent does not contradict the written Word (Ecclesiastes 6:9). Let our lives be living translations of God’s truth — readable, clear, and transformative.
Conclusion
Bible translation remains a strategic, Spirit-led tool for world evangelism. When people hear God’s Word in their heart language, it does not merely inform them — it transforms them. Let us continue to support, invest in, and prioritize Bible translation as a divine strategy to reach the nations with the gospel of Christ.
For more information about Bible translation and how you can partner with the BSN to translate the Bible into more languages, kindly call our Assistant General Secretary, Publishing, Pastor Olugbenga Oludaisi, on 08159094106, 08033672696 or email oludaisi@biblesociety-nigeria.org. You can also visit our website: biblesociety-nigeria.org for more information.
The Power of Language in Salvation
What a person hears shapes who they become — both in this life and in eternity. God, in His wisdom, has chosen to reach people through people. Since humans are rational beings, we process life through reasoning, and that reasoning is primarily expressed through language.
Language is not merely a tool; it is the medium of the heart. Every person best understands and resonates with the language they grew up hearing. That native language becomes the “machine language” of their heart. Therefore, the most effective way to communicate the gospel is through the language a person understands deeply — the language of their heart.
It is often said: “If you speak to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. If you speak to him in his own language, it goes to his heart.”
This principle underlines the importance of Bible translation. When the Scriptures are translated into the mother tongue of a people, the gospel message penetrates the heart — enabling a deeper understanding of God’s Word and a greater openness to salvation.
Biblical Evidence for Linguistic Inclusivity
In Genesis 11, God diversified human language at the Tower of Babel. Yet, during Pentecost in Acts 2, we see a reversal — a divine affirmation of every language as a valid channel for His Word. The disciples spoke in various tongues, and the pilgrims from across the world — Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond — heard the gospel in their own languages. This miraculous moment deeply moved their hearts, not just their minds.
God is not limited by tribe or tongue. He is the God of all people and all languages. Hearing the gospel in their own language gave people a sense of belonging to God’s family. It assured them that God knows, loves, and calls them by name.
Bible Translation as a Tool for Deep Evangelism
Habakkuk 2:2 instructs that the Word be written plainly so that even a runner may read and understand it. Bible translation makes the gospel clear, easy to understand, and easily shareable. It brings transformation, not just as head knowledge, but as heart conviction. Had the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 been reading a translation in his own language, perhaps he would not have struggled to understand the message until Philip intervened. Language should not be a barrier to divine truth.
The Incarnation: A Model of Contextual Communication
The incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 18) is the greatest model of contextualisation. God entered human culture, taking on flesh and speaking the language of the people — not Hebrew, but Aramaic, the lingua franca of His time. Jesus, as the ultimate Translator, mediated between God and humanity in a way people could understand. This is a blueprint for Bible translation — community-driven, understandable, and culturally relevant.
The Mandate of Scripture Translation
Revelation 5:9 and 15:4 show that God desires worship from every tribe, language, people, and nation. This worship can only happen when people hear and understand His righteous acts in their own languages. Bible translation enables this. It equips people to worship God authentically, not by copying other cultures, but by encountering God within their own.
The Strategic Role of the Church
Bible translation is not just a linguistic task — it is a mission mandate.
- It is part of the Church’s missionary activity (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8).
- The Church must identify unreached language groups, translate Scripture for them, and ensure wide distribution.
- The Church is the mouthpiece, hands, and feet of Jesus.
A Final Charge
As individuals, even as we support the availability of the Bible in multiple languages and formats, we must ensure that the version of the Bible our lives represent does not contradict the written Word (Ecclesiastes 6:9). Let our lives be living translations of God’s truth — readable, clear, and transformative.
Conclusion
Bible translation remains a strategic, Spirit-led tool for world evangelism. When people hear God’s Word in their heart language, it does not merely inform them — it transforms them. Let us continue to support, invest in, and prioritize Bible translation as a divine strategy to reach the nations with the gospel of Christ.
For more information about Bible translation and how you can partner with the BSN to translate the Bible into more languages, kindly call our Assistant General Secretary, Publishing, Pastor Olugbenga Oludaisi, on 08159094106, 08033672696 or email oludaisi@biblesociety-nigeria.org. You can also visit our website: biblesociety-nigeria.org for more information.