The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) and English Standard Version (ESV) are two of the most popular Bible translations used today. But what exactly sets them apart?
With so many English Bible versions to choose from, it can get confusing trying to determine which translation is the best fit for your personal Bible study needs and preferences.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare and contrast 11 key differences between the CSB and ESV translations. Discover how they stack up to help you find the best Bible version for you.
What is the CSB Translation Philosophy?
First published as the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) in 2004 by Holman Bible Publishers, this modern English translation was updated and renamed the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) in 2017.
The CSB seeks to find a nice balance between word-for-word literal translation while still being highly readable. The 130-member team of Bible scholars aimed to keep theological accuracy on disputed doctrines while translating the original Greek and Hebrew into natural-sounding English.
Some translations like the ESV lean more word-for-word, while others like the NIV aim closer to thought-for-thought readability. The CSB strikes a nice balance between the two translation philosophies.
What is the ESV Translation Philosophy?
The English Standard Version (ESV) was first published in 2001 by Crossway Bibles as a revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV).
The stated goal of the translation team was to provide an essentially literal, word-for-word translation into more modern English. The ESV leans heavily toward formal equivalence rather than dynamic equivalence.
The team of over 100 international Bible scholars sought to accurately translate the original biblical texts while also maintaining literary excellence and readability.
1. Readability
When it comes to readability, the CSB translation aims to make following the text easier by formatting sentences to match modern English speech patterns.
The translators break up lengthy sentences, change passive verb constructions to active, and reorder words to reflect a less formal tone. As a result, the CSB flows better when reading aloud.
The ESV takes a more traditional, literal word-for-word translation approach. Sentences can be choppy or awkwardly phrased at times. The ESV ranks as one of the top most difficult Bible versions to read.
So while the ESV provides an extremely accurate translation, the CSB offers improved readability while retaining faithfulness. Depending on your needs, one may work better than the other.
2. Textual Basis
The CSB translation is based on the most up-to-date manuscript discoveries, textual analysis, and archaeological findings. The translators incorporated modern critical Greek texts including Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece 28th edition and the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament 5th corrected edition.
The ESV cites a commitment to translating the very words of Scripture from the original texts. The New Testament relies on the 1993 editions of the Greek New Testament and Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum while frequently consulting the closely related United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament.
So both translations utilize the latest scholarly manuscript evidence in their work.
3. Translation of Romans 8:38-39
Let’s compare how the CSB and ESV translate this popular Bible passage:
CSB: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
ESV: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The CSB simplifies the vocabulary a bit from “rulers” to simply “angels” while the ESV preserves more literal terms. The CSB restructures some phrases to improve readability.
Overall the passages communicate essential identical meaning. The variations demonstrate how the CSB clarifies concepts at the possible expense of literalness while the ESV retains technical precision.
4. Translation of Genesis 1:21
Now let’s look at Genesis 1:21 describing God’s creation on the fifth day:
CSB: “So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds.”
ESV: “So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds.”
In terms of readability, most readers would likely find “large sea-creatures” an easier phrase to grasp than “great sea creatures.” The CSB simplifies the language slightly while communicating the core ideas.
5. Treatment of God’s Name
The CSB translates God’s personal name (YHWH) literally as “Yahweh” while the ESV renders it as more of a title, “the LORD.”
There are merits and drawbacks to both approaches. Using Yahweh preserves the original language and may help readers feel closer intimacy with God’s revealed name. Rendering it LORD in all caps draws a connection back to early English Bible translations known and loved by many longtime Bible readers.
6. Old Testament Quotes in the New Testament
Unlike translations like the ESV, the CSB does not alter New Testament quotations to match the wording used from their Old Testament sources. The translators judged it would confuse readers less by retaining the actual New Testament Greek quotation even if it varies slightly from the Old Testament passage it references.
The ESV alters the New Testament quotes to precisely match the OT verses quoted which is helpful for Bible study but can also be confusing. The CSB sticks closer to the original text.
7. Treatment of Gender
The Christian Standard sought to use gender-inclusive language where the translators judged it permissible and accurate to the meaning of the original texts.
For example, Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers” in the CSB rather than “blessed are the peacemakers” (ESV). Similarly, 1 Corinthians 15:28 says that “God will be all in all” (CSB) rather than “God will be everything to every one” (ESV)
So the CSB incorporates inclusive language more often than the very literal ESV translation. This may impact your study if you prefer strict adherence to male pronouns found in Greek and Hebrew when indicated.
8. Word Choice Differences
Consider this passage with key word choice differences between the ESV and CSB versions highlighted:
ESV – “And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.””
CSB – “So God created the large sea creatures, every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, and every winged bird according to its kind.”
The CSB simplifies concepts, breaks long sentences apart, and utilizes equivalent modern terms that sacrifice technical precision for improved readability. Which translation works best will depend if truthfulness to the original language or ease of comprehension holds higher priority in your Bible study.
9. Treatment of Divine Pronouns
The CSB capitalizes all divine pronouns referring to members of the Trinity – He, Him, His, Himself. The ESV does not make this distinction. Capitalization may aid with identifying God in passages applicable to both Christ and God the Father.
10. Additional Study Resources
The Christian Standard Bible offers the CSB Study Bible released in 2020 with detailed book introductions and thousands of study notes to enhance engagement with God’s Word.
Crossway’s English Standard Version famously offers the thorough ESV Study Bible used by countless Bible students to better comprehend Biblical truth. So both translations offer outstanding study resources.
11. Translation Supported By
The CSB translation is published by Holman Bible Publishers which is owned by HarperCollins Christian Publishing and also publishes the popular NIV translation.
Crossway Bibles is an evangelical non-profit ministry passionate about propagating of God’s Word that publishes the ESV translation.
So both translations come from publishers with admirable missions rooted in Christian scriptural foundation.
Conclusion : CSB vs ESV
When weighing the CSB against the ESV, neither translation is intrinsically better across the board.
The more readable CSB prioritizes conveying Scripture’s meaning as clearly as possible to a modern audience over technically literal representation. This allows for simplifying complex wording to promote comprehending the passage’s intent.
The meticulous ESV relentlessly pursues precision adherence to the original Greek and Hebrew phrasing. The language transparency comes at the cost of elevated reading difficulty however.
Here are key questions to help determine if the CSB or ESV (or another translation) proves the best choice for you:
- Will you use the Bible primarily for in-depth word study or Scripture memorization where pinned-down accuracy trumps all? The ESV shines here.
- Do you want a translation welcoming for new believers not yet acquainted with church language conventions? The CSB opens its arms to welcome newcomers.
- Do readability struggles discourage you from immersing yourself in the Word? The welcoming prose of the CSB aims to make Bible diving an inviting joy rather than duty.
Every translation involves tradeoffs. But rest reassured that our sovereign God supervised the work of linguistic scholars to steward the Bible’s essential truths in the CSB, ESV, and other key English versions to reach hungry hearts.
Rather than get distracted worrying over translation picking, prayerfully ask God to guide you in selecting the best fit Bible translation for the season of spiritual journey you currently travel. Then prayerfully study the Scriptures He opens before you each day to encounter transformed life in joyful relationship with Christ the Lord!