1, 2 & 3 John

Word Come Alive:

• is an expanded translation of the New Testament of the Bible by respected editor Martin Manser

• supplies linking phrases and background information in italics within the text to help make its message more immediately understandable

• aims to express the sense of the original in contemporary, natural English

• aims to have a powerful effect on readers, with a fresh, incisive quality that will make readers sit up and think.

Who is behind ‘Word Come Alive’?

Martin Manser, a professional reference-book editor. He has compiled or edited more than 200 reference books, particularly Bible-reference titles, English-language dictionaries and business-skills books. He is also a Language Trainer and Consultant with national and international companies and organisations.

Who is ‘Word Come Alive’ aimed at?

1 Christians who are so familiar with the language of the Bible that it has little or no impact on them, but who want to maintain a living relationship with Jesus Christ. I want such readers of the WCA to then go back to their NIV, ESV, NLT, KJV or NKJV to see what that says.

2 Readers without a knowledge of the Bible but who want to understand its message.

Features of ‘Word Come Alive’: an extended translation (paraphrase) of the New Testament

1 Additional explanatory phrases in italics. For example, 1 John 3:1–3:

Stop and look at the amazing love the Father has lavished on us! He has poured his love into our lives so generously. Let the wonderful reality of the Father’s love for you impress itself deeply into your being. He has taken the initiative to call us the children of God. Just think: we are his own dear children! Remember that is who we are at this very moment. The reason why people do not recognise us as God’s children is that they did not know him. Dear friends, we are the children of God right now. What we will be like is not yet fully clear to us, but what is absolutely clear is this: we know that when Christ appears at his return, we will be like him, because we will see him. Yes, you and I will actually see Christ! We will see him as he really is. Everyone – every child of God – who has such a hope in Christ’s glorious return makes themselves pure, just as he is pure. They will keep themselves inwardly clean, removing anything that conflicts with what Christ is like.

2 Natural, contemporary informal English. For example, 3 John 9:

I have written a letter of instruction to the church, but one of the leaders, a man named Diotrephes, will have nothing to do with us. He refuses to welcome us and does not recognise our authority. He is intent on being in the limelight all the time. He’s power-crazy and likes throwing his weight around.

Martin Manser and his reviewers have worked from and checked his text against United Bible Societies’ 4th edition/26th and 27th editions of Novum Testamentum Graece [Greek New Testament] (Nestle-Aland) as well as other English translations. Martin Manser’s reviewers are respected New Testament authorities: Dr Gervais Angel, formerly New Testament Greek Examiner for the Church of England and tutor in New Testament Greek, Trinity College, Bristol, England and Dr Pieter Lalleman, Tutor in Biblical Studies, Spurgeon's College, London, England.