The Man Who Brought Hope To The English People

william-tyndale - Jesus Christ is Lord — William Tyndale traveled to Cologne in 1525 where he completed his translation of the New Testament

William Tyndale is a name that has become synonymous with the English Reformation and the translation of the Bible into the English language. His contributions to the development of the English language, his passion for the Word of God, and his courage in the face of persecution make him a figure of immense historical and cultural importance.

William Tyndales’s Early Life

Tyndale was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1494. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he received his early education at the local grammar school before moving on to Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1510. At Oxford, Tyndale immersed himself in the study of Greek and Hebrew, which would prove invaluable to him later in life.

In 1512, Tyndale received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oxford. He then went on to complete his Master of Arts degree in 1515. Before leaving Oxford, Tyndale was ordained into the priesthood, though he never entered monastic orders.

The Turning Point

It was during his time at Oxford that Tyndale became disillusioned with the Catholic Church. He was particularly disturbed by the corruption and greed he saw among the clergy and the Church’s refusal to allow the common people access to the Bible in their own language.

“In the universities, they have ordained that no man shall look on the Scripture until he be noselled [nursed] in heathen learning eight or nine years, and armed with false principles with which he is clean shut out of the understanding of the Scripture … the Scripture is locked up with … false expositions, and with false principles of natural philosophy.”
William Tyndale

Tyndale next went to study at Cambridge University. Many of Luther’s works were being circulated among the students and faculty. This generated great excitement on campus, and Cambridge was soon becoming the place of future Reformers and martyrs.

In 1521, Tyndale decided to leave Cambridge so he could give more careful thought to the truths of the Reformation. Therefore, he took up a post as tutor in the household of Sir John Walsh, a wealthy Gloucestershire landowner. It was during this time that Tyndale began his work on translating the New Testament into English.

Tyndale also preached in the little church of Adeline. He became convinced that the Bible should be available to everyone, not just the clergy, and that it should be translated into the language of the people. He believed that the Word of God was the ultimate authority, not the Church hierarchy.

The Translation

Tyndale’s translation of the New Testament was groundbreaking. At the time, the only authorized version of the Bible was in Latin, which was the language of the Church. The only English translation available was the Wycliffe Bible, which was distributed clandestinely by the Lollards, the followers of John Wycliffe.

Furthermore, the Wycliffe Bible had been translated from the Latin Vulgate, rather than from the orginal Greek and Hebrew. And there were only handwritten copies made since it was produced prior to the invention of the Gutenberg press.The church had also banned any unathorized translation of the Bible into English in 1408. Tyndale’s translation into English made the Bible much more accessible to the common people for the first time.

Tyndale’s translation was not only accurate but also elegant and easy to read. He used simple, everyday English, which was a departure from the traditional, Latin-based language of the Church. This had a profound effect on the English language itself, as Tyndale’s translation helped to shape the modern English language we know today.

However, Tyndale’s translation was not without controversy. The Catholic Church proved to be fiercely opposed to the idea of the Bible being translated into the language of the people. They saw it as a threat to their authority and their ability to control the masses. After seeking support from the bishop in London and receiving no encouragement from him, Tyndale perceived there was no place in England where he could pursue his project. So, In 1523, Tyndale left England for the continent, where he would spend the rest of his life.

The Persecution

Tyndale’s work on the translation of the Bible brought him into direct conflict with the Church authorities. He was hunted down and persecuted for his beliefs, and was forced to move from place to place to avoid capture.

Despite the danger he faced, Tyndale continued his work on the translation of the Bible. In 1525, he published the first English New Testament, which he had translated in Germany. The next year, Tyndale began to smuggle his English New Testaments into England in bales of Cotton. They would then be distributed around England by the Christian Brethren, a secret Protestant society. His first edition of the Bible was followed by a revised edition in 1534, which was printed in Antwerp.

Tyndale’s work on the Bible made him a hero to the English people, but it also made him a target for the authorities. In 1535, he was betrayed by a supposed friend, who had been paid to find him, and Tyndale was arrested in Antwerp. He was imprisoned for nearly a year and a half before he was tried for heresy and condemned to death.

On October 6, 1536, Tyndale was taken to the stake and burned alive for his beliefs. His final words were, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” It is said that this prayer was answered just a few years later, when King Henry VIII authorized the publication of the Great Bible, which was largely based on Tyndale’s work.

Legacy

William Tyndale’s contributions to the English language and the Christian faith cannot be overstated. His translation of the Bible into English helped to shape the modern English language, and his passion for the Word of God inspired countless others to seek a deeper understanding of their faith.

Tyndale’s work also had a profound impact on the English Reformation. His ideas about the authority of the Bible over the Church hierarchy were central to the movement. and his influence can be seen in the work of other reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin. Reformation historian Jean-Henri Merle d’Aubigné, calls him “the mighty mainspring of the English Reformation.”

Today, Tyndale’s legacy lives on in the many translations of the Bible that are available in English and in the millions of people around the world who continue to be inspired by his courage and dedication to the truth.

William Tyndale was a remarkable figure in English history. His passion for the Word of God, his dedication to the truth, and his courage in the face of persecution make him a hero to many. His work on the translation of the Bible into English was revolutionary, and his influence can still be felt today. William Tyndale was a man who truly made a difference, and his contributions to the English language and the Christian faith will never be forgotten.

Reflections on the life of William Tyndale

Concern for the salvation of others leads to a passionate commitment to serve

Compassion for the needs of others naturally leads us to do what we can to alleviate that need.

Through the studying and preaching in the early years of his life, William Tyndale came to realize how very difficult it is for anyone who is not taught the principles of the Bible to overcome the false teachings of the church. This, of course, could needlessly keep people from hearing the Gospel and being saved. This dire situation could be changed, if only the people could read the Bible in their own native language. Having the ability to learn and fluently speak eight languages, Tyndale knew he could translate the Bible from the orginal language of Greek and Hebrews into English.

Certainty about our God-given mission generates the courage needed to overcome fear

As we prayerfully seek God’s will for our lives, God may reveal it in various ways. There is often a convergence of factors that convince us of the work that He has appointed us to do. These factors may include our past learning and experiences, aptitudes, passions, opportunities, confirmations from others, and an unexplainable peace that only the Holy Spirit can give.

Once convinced of God’s will, we are assured that He will bring about the results He has ordained, no matter what the cost may be to us personally. And that assurance gives us the courage to face whatever adversity and opposition comes our way, as a token of our love for God.

Tyndale was stirred up as he regularly met with a group of Cambridge scholars at the White Horse Inn. When they gathered, they would debate the ideas of Luther. It became clear to Tyndale that he needed to take some time away from the university. He needed to carefully consider what all this movement of reform could mean for him.

As Tyndale taught and preached during this time, he realized England would never be evangelized using Latin Bibles. He also took the time to study and digest the Greek New Testament. His reputation as being a reformer was spreading through the region.

Tyndale also witnessed the opposition he would be facing if he pursued his translation project. A Catholic clergyman told Tyndale that “we’d be better without God’s law that the pope’s”. Tyndale responded, “If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plough, shall know more of the Scripture than thou dost.” In spite of the expected personal cost of forging ahead, Tyndale knew what his mission from God would be.

Shrewdness in carrying out our mission is not a sign of weak faith

Jesus told his disciples to be as shrewd as serpents, but as innocent as lambs (see Matthew 10:16). When facing anticipated or expected adversity or persecution, Christians should first pray for wisdom and trust God. Then, pursue the godly direction that appears to offer the greatest opportunity for success, while remaining faithful to God.

Time after time, Tyndale seemed to be one step ahead of his opponents. However, the Catholic Church continued one ploy after another to find him and destroy his work. He first sailed to the Continent to remove himself from England. Then, he would move from one town to another to minimize the chance that he would be discovered. He was almost caught one time, just before he made his move from Cologne to Worms, Germany.

Because decisive steps were being taken in England to stop his work, Tyndale disguised his whereabouts. He put the name of a nonexistent printer and false place of publishing on a major theological work.

The willingness to sacrifice our life for mission is a clear measure of our love for God

Sometimes, God is willing for us to suffer, even to the point of death, so our lives will ultimately bring honor and glory to God. How better to show our love to Him than to value Him greater than we value ourselves?

When Tyndale was eventually betrayed by someone who was posing to be a friend, he was arrested and imprisoned. He was charged for believing that justification is by faith alone, that the human will is bound by sin, that there is no purgatory, and that neither Mary nor the saints pray for Christians, and Christians should not pray to them.

That same day as the trial in August 1536, Tyndale was excommunicated from the priesthood in a public service. And afterward, he has handed over to the secular authorities to be punished. From then until the day he was executed on October 6, 1536, Tyndale was harassed and urged to recant by a stream of priests, monks, and his executioner. But loving the praise of God more than the praise of men, Tyndale refused to recant. So, he paid for his refusal with his life.

Passion and dedication to the truth

Truth and unity are important. But should we sacrifice one for the sake of the other? St. Augustine has a famous quote regarding this. He said, “In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, in all charity.” In other words, we can agree to disagree with others on matters of second importance as long as we agree with them on matters of first importance. When neither are possible, we should strive to help them understand the truth out of loving concern for them.

God has given His people the responsibility to share the Gospel with the whole world. Without knowing the content of His message to sinners, no one can be saved. And rejection of His offer of reconciliation is a rejection of God Himself. Nothing could be more important to our fellow man than standing fast in these matters of first importance. The degree to which we hold fast these truths testify to how much we value them.

Tyndale knew the real value of making God’s Word available to the English people in a language they could understand. And he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to stand behind his conviction. Are you willing to risk rejection and even worse consequences for your beliefs about the way to God? If not, why not? Carefully examine yourself to see if you truly believe God’s Word. If you’re not sure, read the Gospel of John and Romans, and pray to God that He would give you true understanding.