THREAD: Everyone knows Bible translations say slightly different things. But sometimes they say the EXACT OPPOSITE thing. And sometimes it's kinda important.

Example: Do Christians walk around as victorious winners IN THIS LIFE? OR do they walk as conquered losers on display? 1/

Well, look at 2nd Cor. 2:14. Paul says, "But thanks be to God who always [thriambeuo] us in Christ..." Some translate that as "triumph," while others recognize it as a reference to the Roman victory parade called a "triumph," in which both winners & losers would participate. 2/

So is Paul saying God always causes Christians to triumph? Or that God always leads them as winners in Christ's victory parade? OR is he saying God leads Christians as his conquered captives?

BIG difference. Christians are either worldly victors or losers awaiting heaven. 3/

So here's an example of how various Bibles have translated this. On the left: God makes Christians victorious winners! On the right: God has made Christians his captives on display. In the middle: could go either way.

Which is correct? 4/

Translations on the far right are correct. That verb thriambeuo, when it takes a direct object, the direct object is always the loser. God is parading Christians around as captives in this life & they get sacrificed at the end of the parade for his glory. (see also 1 Cor 4:9) 5/

But my broader point is that translation decisions matter & Bible-readers can get VERY different messages on key topics.

There's also implications for #ChristianNationalism.

Maybe Christians are supposed to be humbled, awaiting victory later rather than expecting it now.
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