In Honor of William Tyndale

Presented by Middle School, Grades 5-6

In the year 382 Pope Damascus I asked St. Jerome to make an official translation of the Gospels from the original Greek manuscripts into Latin. There were already several Latin translations, but most were confusing, and used the Classical Latin used by scholars. The pope wanted an official translation that used the common Latin used by the average person so that they could have the word of God in a language they could understand.

In the year 405 St. Jerome finished his translation of the gospels. A few years later he also translated the Old Testament directly from the original Hebrew text. These translations of St. Jerome, along with translations of the rest of the New Testament by an unknown contemporary of St. Jerome, eventually came to be known as The Latin Vulgate. This name comes from the Latin word vulgus which means “common people”.

Over a thousand years later The Latin Vulgate was still the official translation of the Bible used by the Catholic Church. By this time Latin was no longer a spoken language and only scholars could read it. The people had to rely on their clergy to teach them about the word of God.

At the beginning of the 16th century the clergy of the church was focused more on the teachings of the pope, than on scripture. Because the church acknowledged only the Latin Vulgate as scripture, not allowing any translations into commonly spoken languages, the people had no way to learn what was in the Bible. In 1522 an English scholar named William Tyndale decided that he would create a translation of the Bible into English.

William Tyndale was born in England in 1494. He was an Oxford and Cambridge scholar with a gift for languages. It is said that he was fluent in French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, and Spanish, in addition to his native English. William Tyndale had been influenced by the growing protestant movement, having learned of Martin Luther’s 95 theses and read his German translation of the Bible.

Tyndale became outspoken and was called for an examination of his beliefs. During this examination one of the clergy stated, “We had better be without God’s laws than the pope’s” to which Tyndale responded, “I defy the pope and all his laws and, if God spares my life, before many years, I will cause the boy that drives the plow to know more of Scripture than thou dost.”

In 1524 William Tyndale moved to Germany in order to finish his English translation of the Bible in safety. Tyndale’s translation was the first English translation coming directly from the original Greek and Hebrew. It was also the first English translation to be printed on a printing press, which allowed it to be widely distributed.

This printing was smuggled into England, where it quickly sold thousands of copies. This translation was condemned by many prominent religious and political figures, including the king of England, Henry VIII. In 1536 William Tyndale was captured, tried and condemned as a heretic. This coming Monday, October 6, marks the day William Tyndale died. His final words are reported to have been, “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes.” Three years later Henry VIII authorized a new English translation of the Bible.

In 1611, King James commissioned another English translation of the Bible. Approximately 80% of the King James Bible comes from William Tyndale’s translation, and has blessed many generations. This poetic translation of the Bible, drawing largely from Tyndale, has coined many English words and phrases. As people around the world memorize beautiful passages from the King James Bible, they fulfill Tyndale’s vow to make even the most common of men knowers and doers of God’s word.

By Mrs. Shelli Boynton

Curriculum Director

Following this historical thought, Primary School students recited the poem "Come, Little Leaves" by George Cooper.

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This historical thought was delivered by our Middle School students at devotional on 10/02/2025. Each week one class leads the student body in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, scripture recitation, a meditation, and an historical thought. Belmont family and friends are welcome, Thursdays 8:30-9:05 am.

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