Did you know that the Bible was once the most illegal book in history? In 1408 a law was passed in England prohibiting the translation of the Bible into English. But that didn't stop William Tyndale.
He smuggled 1,800 English Bibles across the channel into Britain. Later he was burnt at the stake, having being condemned of heresy. (The Bible is still on the banned book list in some 52 countries.)
The prologue of the Tyndale New Testament reads as follows:
"I haue here translated (brethern and susters most dere and tenderly beloued in Christ) the newe Testament for youre spirituall edifyinge, consolacion and solas."
Some of the most popular Bible translations in English today are revisions of Tyndale. If you compare it with the RSV, NRSV, and ESV, in many places it is very similar if not identical. Tyndale's devotion and martyrdom for God's word reminds me not only of the necessity of English translations but also their surpassing value. This point is clearly made by John Miles in a recent Youtube video.
The Bible we hold in our hands today is to a great degree the result of one man's willingness to "be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong" (1 Cor. 16:13). Every person in the world who writes, speaks, or even thinks in English is indebted to William Tyndale. That's about 2 billion of us. What a man he was.
Glory to God!