Legacy Standard Bible, A Faithful and Precise Translation with Justin Peters

Show: Sound Theology and Discernment with Justin Peters Host: Justin Peters Guests: Dr. William Varner, Dr. Abner Chao Topic: The Legacy Standard Bible, Translation, and Biblical Accuracy

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Show Summary

Should the Legacy Standard Bible be your next translation of choice? In this episode of Sound Theology and Discernment, Justin Peters talks with Dr. William Varner and Dr. Abner Chao, two of the translators of the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) and professors at The Master’s University and Seminary.They walk through why the LSB was produced, how it grows out of the NASB 95 tradition, and what sets it apart. The discussion covers formal equivalence, the use of the divine name Yahweh, translating doulos as “slave,” consistency in key terms, and how the LSB helps readers “see through” the English text to the original Hebrew and Greek. The men also address criticisms that the LSB is a money-making project and offer pastoral wisdom for churches considering a transition to the LSB.

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Key Scriptures

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – All Scripture is “God-breathed.”
• John 2:18–21 – “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.”
• Romans 12:6 – Prophecy “in agreement with the faith.”
• 1 Corinthians 12:10 – “Various kinds of tongues” and the “translation of tongues.”
• Acts 2 – Tongues as real, known human languages.
• Selected passages from Ruth, Judges, Amos, Ezekiel, and Revelation – Examples of precise, consistent wording.

Episode Highlights

• The heart behind the Legacy Standard Bible and its connection to the NASB 95.
• Why the translators are committed to formal equivalence and grammatical precision.
• The importance of using the divine name Yahweh and what that communicates about God.
• Why doulos is translated as “slave” and how Scripture distinguishes sinful slavery from slavery to God.
• How the LSB handles tongues as “translation of tongues” in 1 Corinthians 12:10.
• The difference between “temple” and “sanctuary” in John 2 and why that matters.
• Distinguishing between crowns and diadems in Revelation.
• Responding to the criticism that the LSB was produced for financial gain.
• Pastoral wisdom for slowly and patiently transitioning a congregation to the LSB.

Resources Mentioned

• Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)
• MacArthur Study Bible – Legacy Standard Bible Edition (with updated notes)
• Handbook for Praying Scripture – Dr. William Varner
• Wonderful Things in the Word of God – forthcoming LSB devotional
• The Master’s University and Seminary

About the Guests

Dr. William Varner serves as a professor of Bible and Greek at The Master’s University. He has written commentaries and books for both pastors and laypeople, including works on the Psalms, the life of Christ, and praying Scripture.Dr. Abner Chao is the president of The Master’s University and a professor of Old Testament. He teaches widely on biblical theology, hermeneutics, and exegesis, and served on the core translation committee for the Legacy Standard Bible.Call to ActionIf this episode encouraged you, please share it with others, subscribe for future content, and take time to open your Bible and read these passages for yourself. Pray that the Lord would deepen your love for His Word and your confidence in what He has breathed out for our good and His glory.For more from Justin Peters please visit his page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.This episode first appeared at Justin’s YouTube and is posted here with his permission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEgMqAoxL-o