Podcast Summary: Grace in Focus

Episode: Do English Translations Sometimes Promote False Gospels?
Date: March 6, 2026
Hosts: Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates
Duration: ~13 minutes

Episode Overview

Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates tackle a thought-provoking listener question: Do some English translations of the Bible use wording that can unintentionally promote a “false gospel”—specifically, confusion around terms relating to salvation, the soul, and assurance? Using examples primarily from the New Testament, they examine how translation choices, as well as theological preconceptions of translators, can lead to misunderstanding core gospel truths. Their discussion centers on pivotal passages where popular translations may blur the line between justification (being declared righteous before God) and sanctification (living out the Christian life), and how this confusion affects evangelism and assurance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Listener Question and the Problem Passage: James 1:21

• (01:06) Bob introduces Jeff’s question about the phrase “save your souls” in James 1:21 (NKJV):
  “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

• Both hosts agree that James addresses believers (“beloved brethren”), making the typical evangelical reading problematic.

Common Misreadings

• (02:48) Ken: “Most people interpret James 1:21 exactly that way. They say ... you’ve got to receive the implanted word ... in order to be saved from hell.”
• Bob and Ken note that many preachers use this verse to enforce a works-based path to salvation: repent, clean up your life, and be a lifelong follower to “save your soul”—implying eternal salvation is at stake.

Clarity in Greek Terms

• (03:52) Ken: Clarifies “sozo” can mean to save, deliver, or rescue, and “psuche” can mean soul, life, or living being.
• Everyday language supports this; e.g., “souls on board” a ship or plane refers to lives not eternal salvation.

Supporting Examples and Context

• (04:28-05:26) Ken points to 1 Peter 3:20 (“eight souls were saved through water”) showing it refers to physical lives rescued in the Ark—not spiritual salvation.

  “That says nothing about Noah and his family going to heaven... they were saved from physical death.” (Ken, 05:26)

• They stress this usage recurs elsewhere, such as James 5:19-20, always in the context of physical or practical rescue, not eternal destiny.

Main Takeaway

• (06:57) Bob: “Yes, it would be better, at least in 21st century evangelical world if we use different words.”
• The consensus is using "rescue your life" instead of "save your soul" would avoid misleading readers about the passage's intent.

2. Other New Testament Examples with Translation Issues

1 Corinthians 5:11

• (07:09-08:16) Ken highlights the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and other translations inserting “so-called brother,” absent in the Greek—which literally reads “anyone bearing the name brother.”

  “They're saying a believer can't be an immoral person... they change it from anyone bearing the name brother to any so called brother." (Ken, 08:16)

• NIV Example (08:59): Adds “calls himself a brother.” Both add doubt about the person’s status as a believer, reflecting a theological, not linguistic, decision.

Mark 8:34-38 & Matthew 16 (cf. Luke 9:23)

• Jesus speaks of “saving” and “losing” life (psuche):

  "Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” (Mark 8:35-36 NKJV)

• Hosts point out “psuche” is translated as “life” in one verse, “soul” in the next—creating confusion.

  "If that's going to be life, then the next verse should say... what will a man give in exchange for his life? Not what will man give in exchange for his soul." (Ken, 11:20)

• Many preachers interpret this to mean: ongoing lifelong sacrifice is required for eternal salvation—contradicting the biblical teaching of salvation by faith alone.

Acts 27:37

• The shipwreck account: “we were 276 souls on the ship” (actual Greek word: “souls”)—this clearly refers to “persons” or “lives,” not their eternal destinies.

3. How Mistranslation Leads to False Gospels

• The hosts emphasize that translation choices stemming from tradition or doctrinal stance can suggest a person must do additional works to be saved, or that sanctification and justification are not distinct.

• (12:07) Bob: “Yes, some of our English translations… do lead some to see false gospels being preached.”

• (12:21) Ken’s Principle: “That’s why you should compare translations and also ... look at the context and of course, make sure you start with a solid footing from the Gospel of John… whoever believes in Him will never perish but has everlasting life.”

  • Advice: Use clearer passages (esp. Gospel of John) as a doctrinal foundation and do not let ambiguous or poorly translated verses undermine gospel clarity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On nautical terminology:

  “I’ve been told by a guy who was a pilot that they would ask, how many souls do you have on board?... that’s what happens in nautical terms when you say we have so many souls on board.”
  Ken Yates, 04:28

• On theological bias in translation:

  “It’s obvious... the translators here are making a theological decision..."
  Bob Wilkin, 08:08

• On assurance and gospel clarity:

  “Make sure you start with a solid footing from the Gospel of John... don’t let any other verse that’s mistranslated confuse you.”
  Ken Yates, 12:21

• On misunderstanding discipleship as a condition for salvation:

  “If you don’t deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him, you’re on your way to hell.”
  Ken Yates, 11:47 (summarizing common but mistaken teaching)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:06 – Main listener question introduced (James 1:21)
• 02:48 – 03:42 – How James 1:21 is commonly misread as teaching works-based salvation
• 03:52 – 05:26 – Greek terms “sozo” and “psuche” explained; 1 Peter 3:20 compared
• 07:09 – 09:13 – 1 Corinthians 5:11, "so-called brother" translation problem
• 09:34 – 11:47 – Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16, and how “soul” and “life” are switched
• 12:07 – 12:41 – Summary: Yes, translations can promote false gospels; use the Gospel of John as a doctrinal anchor

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

• Translation choices matter—not just for technical accuracy, but for the very heart of the gospel message.
• Misleading renderings can encourage works-based assurance, muddy the distinction between justification and sanctification, and thus foster misunderstanding or false teaching.
• Compare multiple translations, dig into the Greek, and always prioritize gospel-clear passages (especially in John) when forming doctrine.

Key message:

“Keep grace in focus.” (Bob Wilkin, 12:41)