This week I’ll address an issue which some Christians get heated over. Many say that every believer should be required to read the King James Version of the bible only, and no other. These people see all modern translations of God’s word as trash.
Part of the “King James Only” passion comes from the fact that more modern translations sound very watered down, or “politically correct.” I actually agree with this in many instances. Here’s one instance:
NIV - John 6:66 – “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 6:67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.” (NIV)
KJV - John 6:66 – “ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?”
Do you see that? The NIV makes it sound like Jesus begged His disciples to stay! That’s absurd. The Lord Jesus Christ sits on a throne! He is no beggar.
Nevertheless, this is only one instance and it would be very unrighteous to judge the whole translation by this one verse. There are verses in the King James which aren’t translated accurately either!
KJV - Genesis 6:6 – “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
Does the Lord repent? Of course not! Repentance means that He would have chosen a different course had He the chance to do it over again. But since the Lord saw the end from the beginning, we know that is not true. In this case, the NIV actually gives a better translation:
NIV - Genesis 6:6 – “The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.”
You can go back and forth all day with arguments about translations, verses, words and such. But the primary lesson the bible teaches which relates to this issue is – stick to your own convictions, don’t push them on other people.
1 Corinthians 10:29b - "why is my freedom judged by another's conscience? 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
The Corinthian Jews wanted to force their convictions on the Gentiles, but Paul told them not to try to force their conscience on others, or slander others for what is offensive to their own conscience. Let all people do everything for the glory of God, and let God be the judge of all.
Did it ever occur to you that this fellow over here reading the NIV may be more thankful for God’s word than you are, reading the KJV? So are you better than him? What about certain others who do not have the IQ or capacity to understand the older language and unfamiliar words? What do you say to them, “Learn it, and in the meantime, starve yourself of God’s word.”? God is a righteous judge and He will reveal the true hearts of people on the last day.
To the people who say that every Christian must use the KJV only because it’s the most accurate – then I would say to them, learn Greek and Hebrew, because they are more accurate than the KJV! If using the KJV (only) is your conviction, then use the KJV only, but don’t push your convictions on other people! Let each person’s freedom be judged by their own conscience (1 Cor 10:29). This is not a blatant sin like fornication or gossip. There is no command one way or the other in scripture on this subject; that means that we have liberty. Do not try to steal another person's liberty. To you it may be sin to read other translations, but to another… maybe not.
For any curious people who are interested in which translation I prefer to use – my answer is that I use various translations. For the most part I use the NASB, but also get a lot out of reading the KJV online with the Strongs numbers next to the words so I can mouse over each and see the Hebrew or Greek definition. Sometimes I read the Message bible (a paraphrased version) to read quickly through and get the main outline of a story – and I can meditate on the general story very easily apart from the details. And when looking for the meaning of a particular verse, I don’t believe that any translation apart from the original form has all of them 100% correct, so I have no restraints in quoting one verse from one translation, and a second verse from another (if I think it has the more accurate meaning of the text).
Whichever translation you use, read God’s word with joy and thankfulness. Don’t force other people to stick to your convictions. Remember that demons try to control people, but the Holy Spirit “woos” people. Instead of trying to control which bible they read, simply encourage your brothers and sisters to read the word of God with joy, praising God for it.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”