• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Things Above Us

Missions - Evangelism - Theology - Sports

  • About TAU
    • Our Mission
    • The Gospel of Grace
    • Writers
    • Contact Us
    • Comment Policy
    • Attribution/Content Usage Policy
  • Resources
    • Before the Throne
    • From Death to Life
    • Our Tract
  • Articles/Blog Posts
    • Missions
    • Evangelism
    • Theology
    • Sports
    • Book Reviews
    • Kid’s Book Reviews
    • pSaturday Psalms
    • Movie Reviews
    • Go Therefore!
    • Something to Think About
  • Things Above Us Roundtable
  • Evangelio de Cristo
  • Store
    • Cart

Philippians in the Legacy Standard Bible: Instances of “Think”

January 29, 2021 by Garrett O’Hara

In case you’ve been hiding under the sky☘, a team from The Master’s University and Seminary is working on the Legacy Standard Bible, an update to the much-beloved NASB 1995. They recently released a PDF containing the entire text of Philippians, and I’ve made the time to note all of the differences from its predecessor. Unfortunately, the PDF also includes some copyright restrictions that keep me from just posting the PDF with all of my notes written on it. Three Sixteen Publishing responded to my request yesterday and declined me permission to publish the full PDF with annotations. What I can do is post some targeted notes under Fair Use.

☘ That’s a joke about how The Lockman Foundation is bad at marketing, Patrick.

In this post, I’m going to focus on the ten instances of the Greek verb φρονέω (phroneo, “I think”). The LSB gives it an interesting treatment as compared to its predecessor in that its translation of the term is mostly consistent throughout Philippians. Along the way, we’ll take the opportunity to comment on other aspects of the translation within these passages.

Philippians 1:7

For it is only right for me to think this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. you all are fellow partakers with me in this grace.

The LSB changes “feel” to “think.” We find the particular way Paul is thinking or feeling in verses 3 through 6, where Paul expresses his thanks for the Philippians church and his confidence that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” The NASB’s “feel” isn’t necessarily bad, but it would break down if used throughout the letter.

“Imprisonment” is changed to “chains,” a plainer yet more poetic rendering.

The LSB also shows its tendency to spell out etymologies in the case of συγκοινωνός (sugkoinonos), where the first three letters are a prefix meaning “with.” LSB renders this “fellow partakers” rather than just “partakers.”

Philippians 2:2–5

Our key verb φρονέω (phroneo) appears twice in verse 2 and once in verse 5. Whereas the NASB translated these three different ways — “by being of the same mind,” “intent,” and “attitude,” the LSB makes a point using forms of “think” in all three cases. This is sure to help readers who wish to observe the plain English text to find common patterns and do not want the translation to get in the way. I’m sure it will also help pastors who do not want to have to explain “the Greek says” and try to explain how the same word is being used in different places.

The LSB also exhibits a strong effort to retain the original tenses of Greek verbs. In verses 2 through 4, we see a long string of English “-ing” verbs: maintaining, being, thinking, doing, regarding, and looking. Except for “being” and “doing,” all of these are Greek participles. A preacher using the NASB might have a harder time breaking down the English into something usable in an exegetical or sermon outline. In the LSB, the sermon outline is staring the reader in the face, and it’s not even the result of manipulating the biblical text. It’s like God wrote it or something.

“Vain glory” in verse 3 is another example where the LSB makes an effort to spell out Greek words with multiple parts. The pastor is then saved from having to explain the Greek parts of a different English term.

Philippians 3:15–19

(15) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal that also to you. (16) However, let us keep walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained. (17) Brother, join in following my example, and look for those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. (18) For many walk—of whom I often told you and now tell you even crying—as enemies of the cross of Christ, (19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their stomach and glory is in their shame, who set their thoughts on earthly things.

We have another three instances of φρονέω in this passage: two in verse 15 and one in verse 19. In verse 15, the LSB changes the NASB’s forms of “attitude” to forms of “think.” Surprisingly, however, this is not the case in verse 19, which could have been translated “who think on earthly things” instead of “who set their minds on earthly things.” This isn’t necessarily a deficiency — it’s not a poor translation at all — but it does keep the English reader from immediately identifying another instance of the same verb.

Whereas the NASB 2020 editors find the term “let us” to be too archaic and went with “let’s,” the LSB translators disagree and retain “let us” for the hortatory subjunctive that starts verse 15.

Much improvement is seen in verse 16’s “walking in step” instead of the NASB’s over-translated “living.” Various glosses of στοιχέω (stoicheo) include moving in line, to be in rows, or to be in sequence, confirming with a pattern. In Romans 4:12, the same verb is used to illustrate following in the steps of Abraham as if placing one’s feet in the footprints he left behind. “Living” is just too plain here.

Philippians 4:2

By this point, it should be easy enough to see what the LSB did with Philippians 4:2. But this is also a case where some readers might find the rendition to be a little wooden. The NASB footnotes suggest the literal translation, “be of the same mind,” which in my opinion should have been the translation of the NASB’s main text anyhow.

Whereas critics might have a stronger case in Philippians 4:2 against using “think” in nearly every single instance of φρονέω, Philippians 4:10 might be more of a 50/50 case. I would imagine someone might say that “thinking” implies short-term thinking rather than a persistent mindset of concern or meditation. The NASB translates forms of “concern” in both instances of φρονέω in verse 10, whereas the LSB goes to its standard “think.” It doesn’t bother me too much here, as the context makes clear that this kind of thinking as is being commended really is a persistent mindset.

How Pervasive Are These Changes?

Researchers might be able to better verify questions like these mathematically once we have full editions of the electronic text to mess around with. For the time being, I can tell you how I felt as I went through the text of Philippians. It definitely feels like there are more changes here in Philippians than in the Gospel of Mark. Whereas Mark yielded entire pages with no more than five changes of translation other than including minor conjunctions that the NASB omitted, changes in Philippians felt consistently frequent. Out of the 104 verses in Philippians, 37 are completely untouched other than in punctuation or capitalization.

I’ll leave you with this: a ridiculously low-resolution screenshot of the entire epistle that should help communicate the density of changes without violating the publisher’s wishes. I continue to hold out hope that they may change their minds. In either case, the translation continues to impress.


More posts on published Bible versions

• Some Thoughts on the Legacy Standard Bible
• Lexham English Bible: Outdoing the NASB?
• NASB 2020 Review (and GIVEAWAY!), part 1 — Gender, Slaves, and Lovingkindness
• NASB 2020 Review, Part 2 — Direct Comparisons in John, Hebrews, and Psalms
• Legacy Standard Bible Gospel of Mark: Initial Observations
• LSB, NASB 2020, NASB 1995: Three-Way Comparisons in Psalm 65 and Mark 4
• Philippians in the Legacy Standard Bible: Instances of "Think"
• Psalm 37 in the LSB vs. NASB 1995
• Psalm 46 in the LSB vs. NASB 1995

Garrett O’Hara

Garrett O’Hara

Garrett appears to have originated the term, but not the theology, "dispybapticalvinistic-expialidocious." He is a husband, a father of four children, a U.S. Navy veteran, a semi-truck driver, and a second grade Sunday school teacher. He also holds a Th.M. in New Testament paid for mostly by the Post-9/11 GI Bill (don't tell Mikey Weinstein).

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Bible translations, Legacy Standard Bible, LSB, NASB, nasb 1995, New American Standard Bible, Philippians

Liked what you read? Subscribe!


Views expressed in posts are those of their individual authors and may not be shared by all writers on Things Above Us.

Primary Sidebar

On Sale Now

  • From Death to Life $14.99 $13.99
  • Before the Throne $17.00 $14.99

Subscribe To Things Above Us

Sign up for our RSS newsfeed and stay up-to-date with the latest blog posts on Things Above Us!

Things Above Us Roundtable

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Play | Stitcher | Email | RSS

Pull up a chair to the TAU Roundtable as the writers from ThingsAbove.Us and other special guests discuss current events, theology, missions, evangelism, and sports!

The Bible Memory App - Bible Memory Verses
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Biblical Doctrine and Biblical Theology (book reviews)
  • Manga Messiah (children’s book review)
  • “the Rank game” Giveaway
  • Should Small Churches Unite?
  • A Pair of Pauls: “Paul’s ‘Spirit of Adoption'” and “Paul’s ‘Works of the Law'” (book reviews)

The Team

Michael CoughlinMichael Coughlin

Michael Coughlin lives near Columbus, OH, and leads local outreaches to glorify our Lord and reach the lost with...

“the Rank game” Giveaway
Chuck IveyChuck Ivey

By God’s grace, Chuck Ivey grew up in a Christian home and came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a y...

Biblical Doctrine and Biblical Theology (book reviews)
Allen Nelson IVAllen Nelson IV

Allen S. Nelson IV is the pastor of Perryville Second Baptist Church in Perryville, Arkansas. He and his wife Steph...

Should Small Churches Unite?
Tim BatesTim Bates

Tim lives in Akron, Ohio with his wife, Melanie and two children, Calvin and Caroline. He serves as a deacon, teacher...

Reflections on a World Without Sports
Justin BullingtonJustin Bullington

Justin Bullington is the husband of Deb, a father of four, the Associate Pastor at Princeton Bible Church, a 6th...

When Should We Officially Ditch a Christian Content Creator?
George AlvaradoGeorge Alvarado

George Alvarado is an almost retired member of our Armed Forces (yes, he's older than he looks). He has a beautiful w...

A Open Letter to Afflicted Saints
Garrett O’HaraGarrett O’Hara

Garrett appears to have originated the term, but not the theology, "dispybapticalvinistic-expialidocious." He ...

Manga Messiah (children’s book review)

Click a term to see related posts.

Adoption atonement Bible book review Cessationism children Christian Life Christmas Chuck Ivey church conversion Culture Devotional discipleship egalitarianism evangelism Foster Care From death to life Genesis gospel grace imputation Jesus local church love Marriage mercy NFL preaching propitiation Psalm 119 Psalms reformed baptist Reformed Baptist Theology reformed theology Roundtable sanctification scripture sin sola scriptura Something To Think About Suffering theology Things Above Us worship

Click the image below if you got one of these cards.

Other Posts You May Like…

TAU Roundtable logo with a gravestone left and lady praying on right

Ep. 021 | Getting the New Covenant Right — TAU Roundtable

Michael and George discuss the New Covenant. This covenant is unmixed, unbreakable and unconditional. This is the first in a series where we will define the New Covenant, discuss its implications, apply it to the Christian life, and then contrast it to errors that ensue when getting the New Covenant wrong. Scripture references: Jeremiah 31:31-34; […]

God-Breathed: A Response to Rachel Held Evans’s View of Scripture – Part 6

In the last post on Rachel Held Evans’s (RHE from now on) new book Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again we talked about her view of the Old Testament. Today, we’ll discuss her view of the New Testament. All totaled this project has been several hours of work. Between reading the book and […]

Pilgrim’s Progress Movie – GIVEAWAY

I am really excited about the theatrical release of this new movie based on Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”  Before I can release my personal review of the movie, and a second giveaway of FREE movie tickets to see it in the theater, I first need to let you know about the giveaway of a free […]

Any Given Sunday

Frankly, I have zero desire to be a so-called “discernment blogger.” I simply don’t have the time to fulfill my God given duties of a Christian, husband, father, and pastor while also monitoring all the happenings of the evangelical world at large. Furthermore, I can’t find the motivation to blog or tweet about every single […]

Everyone is an Evangelist

Christianity seems to be marked by a divide between people who actively evangelize and those who do not. Clearly, some folks are particularly burdened about and gifted concerning the dissemination of the Christian gospel. But it is also generally understood that ALL CHRISTIANS are expected to be ready to make a defense for the hope that is in them […]

Kindly Let People Ask If Mary Knew

“Mary, Did You Know?” is a Christmas song with lyrics written by Mark Lowry and music written by Buddy Greene. It was originally recorded by Christian recording artist Michael English on his self-titled debut solo album in 1991 (English and Lowry were both members of the Gaither Vocal Band at the time). It reached No. […]

2018 © Things Above Us

Copyright © 2021 · Things Above Us on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in