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William Tyndale Quotes

Powerful William Tyndale for Daily Growth

About William Tyndale

William Tyndale (1494 – 1536) was an influential English scholar, theologian, and Bible translator whose work played a pivotal role in the development of the King James Version of the Bible. Born in Gloucestershire, England, he displayed an early aptitude for languages, mastering Greek and Hebrew by his late teens. Tyndale's religious convictions were shaped by his experiences at Oxford University, where he was exposed to humanist ideals and the teachings of Martin Luther. Disillusioned with the Roman Catholic Church, Tyndale became a vocal critic of its practices, particularly its use of Latin in worship services, which he believed was inaccessible to the common people. In 1524, Tyndale moved to Hamburg, Germany, where he began translating the New Testament into English, aiming to make the Scriptures accessible to the masses. His translation, completed in 1526, was smuggled into England and caused a wave of enthusiasm for the reformed faith. Fearing his influence, the Church authorities ordered Tyndale's arrest. In 1535, Tyndale was captured in Antwerp and taken to the Castle of Vilvorde near Brussels, where he was tried for heresy. Despite brutal torture, he refused to recant his beliefs. On October 6, 1536, Tyndale was strangled and then burned at the stake. Tyndale's work had a lasting impact on the English language and the spread of Protestantism. His New Testament translation was completed before his death, while his Old Testament translation remained incomplete. Many of Tyndale's phrases and expressions from his translations have become part of the English Bible and everyday speech.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The Bible is God's word, and therefore it is not old, but new at all times."

William Tyndale's quote suggests that the Bible is a timeless, ever-relevant message from God, rather than an outdated text. Its enduring significance and applicability to our lives today make it "new," despite its historical age. This view underscores the belief that the principles and teachings within the Bible remain relevant and applicable in every era.

"If God spares my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plow to know more of the scriptures than the Pope."

This quote by William Tyndale suggests his ambition to make the Bible accessible to common people, regardless of their social status. He aimed to challenge the hierarchical control over religious knowledge that was predominant during his time, asserting that even a plowboy should have a deeper understanding of scriptures than the Pope (representative of the highest religious authority). This vision was instrumental in the English Reformation and the widespread use of vernacular translations of the Bible.

"I defy the Pope, and curses cannot hurt me. I am convinced in my own conscience that I am right, and God is my witness."

This quote by William Tyndale, a prominent English Bible translator during the Reformation, reflects his unwavering conviction in his beliefs despite potential criticism or persecution from religious authorities like the Pope. He confidently asserts that no curses or condemnations can deter him because he trusts in the righteousness of his own conscience and God as his witness. It underscores Tyndale's courageous stance against established authority, driven by a deep-rooted faith in his convictions.

"Let no man trouble you with his talking of 'translate this word thus, or thus.' For if he can tell you to your satisfaction why a word so stands, then let him translate it so; but if not, then let him hold his peace and let you translate according to the rule and the context."

William Tyndale is advocating for a common-sense approach to Bible translation. He urges translators not to be swayed by others' opinions or preferred interpretations of words, but rather to base their translations on the rule (grammar) and context of the original text. In essence, he's saying that if someone cannot convincingly explain why a word should be translated in a specific way, then they should remain silent and allow the translator to use their judgment based on linguistic principles and the broader context of the passage.

"Lord, open the King of England's eyes that he may know thy truth!"

This quote by William Tyndale is a prayer for the enlightenment of King Henry VIII of England, seeking divine intervention to help him understand and embrace "God's Truth." At the time, Tyndale was involved in translating the Bible into English, an act that was illegal as Henry VIII supported the Latin Vulgate. By praying for the king's spiritual growth, Tyndale hoped to spread God's word more freely, thus improving England's religious landscape.

No more doth it hurt to say that the body and blood are not in the sacrament.

- William Tyndale

More, Doth, Sacrament, Hurt

Christ made the bread the sacrament of his body only: wherefore as the bread is no similitude of his blood, so am I not bound or ought to affirm, that his blood is there present.

- William Tyndale

Bread, Christ, Made, Wherefore

Neither was there any heresy, or diversity of opinion, or disputing about the matter, till the pope had gathered a council to confirm this transubstantiation: wherefore it is most likely that this opinion came up by them of latter days.

- William Tyndale

Pope, Likely, Till, Wherefore

Here is also to be noted, that the cause of the institution was to be a memorial, to testify that Christ's body was given, and his blood shed for us.

- William Tyndale

Here, Given, Shed, Memorial

And as the circumcised in the flesh, and not in the heart, have no part in God's good promises; even so they that be baptized in the flesh, and not in heart, have no part in Christ's blood.

- William Tyndale

Christ, Part, Even, Baptized

Many things there be in the scripture, which have a carnal fulfilling, even there where they be spoken or done; and yet have another spiritual signification, to be fulfilled long after in Christ and his kingdom, and yet never known till the thing be done.

- William Tyndale

Christ, Which, Till, Carnal

In the old covenants the people were sprinkled with blood of calves without, in their bodies, to bind them to keep the law; else we were bound to just damnation, for the breaking of it.

- William Tyndale

Law, Old, Bodies, Bind

I perceived how that it was impossible to establish the lay people in any truth except the Scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue.

- William Tyndale

Before, Laid, Lay, Establish

My overcoat is worn out; my shirts also are worn out. And I ask to be allowed to have a lamp in the evening; it is indeed wearisome sitting alone in the dark.

- William Tyndale

Overcoat, Worn, Allowed, Sitting

I know divers, and divers men know me, which love me as I do them: yet if I should pray them, when I meet them in the street openly, they would abhor me; but if I pray them where they be appointed to meet me secretly, they will hear me and accept my request.

- William Tyndale

Love, Pray, Request, Abhor

To see how Christ was prophesied and described therein, consider and mark, how that the kid or lamb must be with out spot or blemish; and so was Christ only of all mankind, in the sight of God and of his law.

- William Tyndale

Mankind, Christ, Easter, Mark

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