October 14 – William Tyndale: Giving England the Bible

Few men in history have left a legacy as profound as William Tyndale. More than a scholar or translator, he was a man consumed with a passion to give the English people God’s Word in their own tongue. For this, he lived as a fugitive, endured constant danger, and ultimately gave his life. His translation work shaped not only the English Reformation but also the English language itself.

Early Life and Education

William Tyndale was born around 1494 in Gloucestershire, England. He studied at Oxford and later at Cambridge, where he mastered Greek and Latin. While at Cambridge, he came under the influence of humanist scholarship and early Reformation thought. He became convinced that Scripture, not the church, was the highest authority.

Tyndale’s studies lit a fire in his heart: the English people needed the Bible in their own language. At the time, the only official Bible was the Latin Vulgate, inaccessible to common people. To read the Scriptures for oneself was nearly impossible. Tyndale resolved to change that.

A Bold Vision

Tyndale famously declared to a clergyman, “If God spares my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scripture than thou dost.” His mission was not to make the Bible a scholar’s book, but the common man’s treasure.

Translation Work

Denied permission in England, Tyndale fled to the continent in 1524. In Germany, he met with Reformers and began translating the New Testament directly from the Greek text published by Erasmus. By 1526, his English New Testament was printed and smuggled into England in bales of cloth.

The impact was electric. Ordinary people could now read the words of Christ and the apostles in their own language. For many, it was the first time they had encountered the gospel directly from Scripture.

Tyndale did not stop with the New Testament. He went on to translate much of the Old Testament from Hebrew. His prose was crisp, clear, and memorable. Later English Bibles—including the King James Version—would rely heavily on Tyndale’s wording.

Theology

Tyndale’s translation work was driven by strong theological convictions:

• Sola Scriptura: The Bible alone is the final authority for faith and life.

• Sola Fide: Justification is by faith alone, apart from works.

• Christ Alone: Salvation is found only in Christ, not in priests, sacraments, or indulgences.

• Clarity of the Gospel: Every Christian has the right to hear, read, and understand God’s Word.

These convictions put him directly at odds with the Catholic Church, which insisted that the Scriptures must remain under clerical control.

Persecution and Betrayal

For over a decade, Tyndale lived as a hunted man. Moving from city to city in Germany and the Low Countries, he worked tirelessly while evading capture. His books and tracts, along with his Bible translations, were smuggled into England and widely read despite official attempts to destroy them.

In 1535, Tyndale was betrayed by a supposed friend, Henry Phillips, and arrested near Brussels. After sixteen months in prison, he was condemned as a heretic. On October 6, 1536, he was strangled and then burned at the stake. His final prayer was, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”

Legacy

God answered Tyndale’s dying prayer. Within a few years, King Henry VIII authorized the Great Bible, based heavily on Tyndale’s work. Later, the Geneva Bible and the King James Bible would carry forward his words into nearly every English-speaking home.

It is estimated that over 80% of the King James Bible’s New Testament wording came directly from Tyndale. His influence on the English language rivals that of Shakespeare. But far more importantly, his influence on the spread of the gospel is incalculable.

Biblical Reflection

Tyndale’s life was built on the conviction of Psalm 119:130:

“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

He believed the Bible was not just for scholars but for shepherds, farmers, and children. His sacrifice ensured that the light of God’s Word would shine in England and beyond.

Application for Today

William Tyndale’s life challenges us in profound ways:

1. Treasure God’s Word – Tyndale risked everything so that we could hold the Scriptures in English. Do we treasure the Bible with the same passion?

2. Proclaim Christ Boldly – He spoke truth even when it meant exile and death. Are we willing to declare Christ in a hostile culture?

3. Pray for Open Eyes – His dying prayer reminds us that only God can open blind eyes to His truth. We must labor and pray for others to see Christ in His Word.

Conclusion

William Tyndale gave his life so that the Bible could speak directly to the hearts of ordinary people. His translations carried the gospel across England and laid the foundation for future generations of believers. His life testifies to the enduring power of God’s Word and the worthiness of Christ, who is worth living for and dying for.