The RSV: Scholarship, Tradition, and Continuity

The RSV: Scholarship, Tradition, and Continuity

The Revised Standard Version (RSV) stands as a notable midpoint between historic English Bibles and modern translations. First published in 1952 (with the New Testament arriving in 1946), the RSV updated the American Standard Version (ASV, 1901) in contemporary language while preserving the literary style of earlier English Bibles. It was the first major translation to integrate discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, representing a significant leap forward in translation accuracy and scholarly depth.

Historical Background

This translation emerged from the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches (NCC). A team of 32 scholars—including Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish advisers—carefully revised the ASV to produce a Bible suitable for both liturgical and personal use.

Published in full in 1952, with the Apocrypha added in 1957, the RSV sought to combine accuracy, clarity, and tradition: “to preserve all that is best in the English Bible … and to put the message of the Bible in simple, enduring words”.

Its legacy is particularly significant—it served as the basis for two later translations: the NRSV (1989) and the ESV (2001).

Translation Philosophy and Method

The RSV employs a balanced mix of formal equivalence and occasional dynamic intent. It aimed to be more literal than thought-for-thought translations but far less archaic than the KJV. For the Old Testament, it used the Masoretic Text, consulting the Dead Sea Scrolls, especially in Isaiah, where that innovation was revolutionary. The New Testament was translated using the Nestle-Aland/UBS critical Greek text.

Reading Level and Style

Written in mid-20th-century English, the RSV maintains a formal dignity reminiscent of the KJV while shedding linguistic archaisms like "thee," "thou," and "hath." Its readability falls in the 10th–12th grade range. Suitable for public worship and serious study, its tone is dignified but not distant.

Strengths

The RSV’s greatest strength lies in its combination of scholarly accuracy and dignified prose. It enriched English translation with insight from the Dead Sea Scrolls and broader textual research. Its ecumenical credentials—drawing scholars across Christian traditions and including the Apocrypha—marked a milestone in inclusive Bible production.

Weaknesses

Despite its achievements, the RSV did not always gain popularity among general readership, particularly because its English, though modern, is still formal and less warm than newer translations. Compared to subsequent revisions (the NRSV and ESV), the RSV’s language feels both dated and less inclusive in its approach to gender and modern readability. Over time, the RSV was largely superseded in many places by its descendants.

Problematic or Debated Verses

• Terminology on God: The RSV retains archaic pronouns like "Thou" to refer to God but not humans, which can jar modern worshipers.

• Genesis and Isaiah: Where Isaiah's Dead Sea Scroll readings appear, RSV sometimes differs significantly from earlier editions; praised by scholars, but confusing to readers familiar with the KJV.

• Inclusive Language: Unlike the NRSV, the RSV does not adopt inclusive renderings like “brothers and sisters,” which some see as outdated or sexist.

• Eclectic Apocrypha Editions: The RSV had several editions with and without Apocrypha; its ecumenical editions (RSV-CE, RSV-2CE) made deliberate changes for Catholic lectionary use—such as rendering ‘almah as “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14, or restoring “full of grace” in Luke 1:28.

Conclusion

The Revised Standard Version broke new ground in mid-century Bible translation by melding textual scholarship, ecumenical collaboration, and reverent English. Though largely superseded in popularity, it remains a pivotal text in the history of modern translation. It set the course for succeeding versions that better balance clarity, inclusivity, and accuracy. For readers seeking a dignified, historically rooted translation grounded in mid-century scholarship, the RSV remains a rewarding choice.