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AUTHORISED VERSION

What Today’s Christian needs to know about The Authorised (King James) Version THE AUTHORISED VERSION What Today’s Christian needs to know about The Authorised (King James) Version Product Code: A75

ISBN 978 1 86228 004 5

© Trinitarian Society 1993, 2012 House, 29 Deer Park Road SW19 3NN, Registered Number: 233082 (England) SC038379 (Scotland)

www.tbsbibles.org THE AUTHORISED VERSION What Today’s Christian needs to know about The Authorised (King James) Version

n 1978 a man walked into a the Authorised Version is technically Christian bookshop and asked for as well as spiritually superior to other a King James Version Bible. The ; and convinced he is. Isalesman was reluctant to sell him one; nobody with any sense used the The Superiority of the Text antiquated King James Version. The salesman gave his sales pitch for the The first area in which the salesman modern versions, but the man remained needed convincing was that of the unconvinced. Finally the salesman superiority of the texts upon which the used his final tactic: ‘You wouldn’t wear Authorised Version is based. Modern four-hundred-year-old shoes, would scholars had told him that the Authorised you? Then why use a four-hundred- was translated from year-old Bible? Use one of these modern faulty Greek manuscripts. versions; let God speak to you in your own language.’ By the middle of the nineteenth century, the development of A number of years have passed, and Biblical studies and the discovery now that salesman uses the Authorised of many manuscripts more ancient (King James) Version. He has discovered, than those upon which the King as have many today, why after four James Version was based, made it hundred years the Authorised Version manifest, that these defects are so is still the most popular and revered many and so serious as to call for available in English, and why, revision of the English translation.1 even if it were not the most popular and most revered, it would be the translation F. F. Bruce is quoted as sharing this he would use and recommend. sentiment.

Of course, the salesman did not ‘The principal defect of the change from his modern version to Authorised Version is one for which the Authorised Version simply because the translators cannot be held tradition dictated that he should, nor responsible. In the New Testament solely for seemingly ‘spiritual’ reasons. especially, the text they used was an Instead he had to be convinced that inferior one.’2

1 What Today’s Christian needs to know The New Testament did not bear this when men accepted the Bible as the testimony alone. The of inspired, errorless Word of the living the Authorised Version, based upon the God; whether working on the Greek Hebrew , was classified text itself, or translating that text into as inferior because it did not place English or any other language, they ancient translations of the Hebrew text, treated it as the very Word of God. They such as the Greek and the appreciated that through this , , on the same level as the God was speaking to His people; thus Hebrew in translation. This the salesman they were careful not to allow theories believed; after all, scholarly men had outside the realm of to enter said it was so. into their work. In this day and age, even many who believe in the inerrancy of But then the salesman considered the Scriptures have accepted theories of the work of other modern scholars. and translation that are Many modern scholars, it seems, have inconsistent with inerrancy. trouble accepting that what God said in His Word is true in all of its aspects. Principles of Translation Since science has ‘proved’ evolution, modern man has reinterpreted Genesis With this basis, the Authorised to include thousands of millions of Version translators entered into the years of time to incorporate evolution. work to which God, through King Since scholars have studied man James, had called them. Because they to understand how his mind and were translating the very Word of God, emotions function, modern man they translated as much as possible has warped Scripture to incorporate word-for-word, producing a literal modern psychology—a psychology rendition of the Greek. They based that denies the sinfulness of man and the English Old Testament upon the thus the need for the Saviour. Textual Hebrew Masoretic Text, using the criticism has suffered the same fate at ancient translations of the Hebrew as the hands of modern man. No longer aids when the Hebrew was obscure, is the Bible presumed to be correct but remembering that these were and inerrant in all its statements, even translations only, and not the language down to the individual words. Instead, into which God had given His Word the Bible is presumed to be just another to the people of Israel. The Authorised piece of , to be ‘corrected’ Version translators continued in the according to the standards held by textual tradition which the church current scholarship. had used and accepted for hundreds of years. In doing so, they continued On the other hand, the Greek the solidarity of both original language Received Text, upon which the New texts and also of earlier English Testament of the Authorised Version translations upon which they based is based, was produced at a time their work. 2 about the Authorised (King James) Version As careful as the Authorised Version more interested in themselves as translators were to translate word-for- individuals than in their place as part word, there were occasions in which of the body of Christ, that they view words had to be added in order to the pronoun ‘you’ as always speaking give clarity to the English translation. to themselves as individuals. Modern The translators did not just add words translators condemn the use of ‘thee’ and indiscriminately; these words were ‘’ as antiquated, but these pronouns implied by the Greek and Hebrew, more correctly render the Greek and although not found in their explicit Hebrew texts and help eliminate the forms. The translators took care to let individualism so fervently held by the reader of Scripture know that these modern man—and even modern words were added; they placed the Christians—in the last two centuries. words in italic script rather than in the (Note also in this regard the use of ‘you’ print of the regular text. Thus the reader plural in Philippians 2.5.) could be certain of what was before him in his Bible; he would know that The Authorised Version translators the words in italic script were, perhaps, were even concerned enough with open to interpretation. This upheld the rendering God’s Word faithfully that doctrine of the ‘priesthood they left some passages ambiguous. of all believers’; each believer-priest Some grammatical constructions, such has the right and privilege—and as the genitive case, could have two responsibility—of interpreting the different translations; is Ephesians 3.19 Scriptures for himself under the speaking of the Christian’s love for guidance of the Holy Spirit. Christ, or Christ’s for His people? This and other structures the Authorised The translators took further care in Version translators in many instances their rendering of the Word of God left purposefully ambiguous, because into English. The Hebrew and Greek God in the Greek and Hebrew had done use different pronouns to distinguish so. They left to the expositors the work between ‘you’ singular and ‘you’ plural. of interpretation according to sound ‘Thee’ and ‘thou’ were not in common principles of exposition, as well as to the usage in the , but found a individual reader of Scripture. place in the Authorised Version in order that the English reader of Scripture could know, as the Greek reader did, The Doctrinal Distinctiveness that in His conversation with Peter of the Authorised Version had said that Satan had demanded to sift the disciples (‘you’) like wheat, but that The Authorised Version translators Jesus had prayed specifically for Peter held to the doctrines of Scripture, and (‘thee’), so that he could strengthen his through them the Authorised Version, brethren (Luke 22.31-32). In this day, whether because of the Greek text used many Christians are so ego-centric, or the form of translation employed, 3 What Today’s Christian needs to know upholds many of the doctrines that changed the blood atonement from a modern versions in numerous places ‘’ (an appeasing of God’s miss. The Authorised Version gives the wrath against sin through Christ’s Jesus His rightful place; both His vicarious sacrifice) to merely an ‘atoning Godhood and His manhood are upheld sacrifice’, as is seen in the way in which (Romans 9.5). It upholds the doctrine some versions render .25. of inspiration which is substantially These problems were avoided in the weakened in modern versions (Hosea Authorised Version in that those outside 12.4; 2 Timothy 3.16). It supports the of orthodox Christianity were bypassed Birth of Jesus. It correctly defines when the translators were chosen. In and translates passages which teach this way the doctrinal purity of God’s justification by faith alone, one of the Word was safeguarded; of all the adverse most misinterpreted doctrines in all of comments that have been levelled the Scripture. These and many others against the Authorised Version, false the Authorised Version, as the basis for doctrine is omitted. The Authorised the faith of Christians for four hundred Version is known for its soundness years, correctly and firmly upholds. of doctrine, a soundness that has not changed in four hundred years. Meanwhile, Bible publishers of today are using the present-day ecumenicalism to boost their sales. Rather than Absence of Modern working toward the purity of translation Embellishments by careful selection of translators, the publishers instead work toward There are a number of things which ‘oneness’. This ‘oneness’ takes the form modern translations do—and often of cooperation with varying groups, for which they are known—that the groups which are religious but not Authorised Version translators avoided. always Christian. It is no longer unusual One reason was that the Authorised to find Roman Catholics, Jews, and Version did not need devices in order Unitarians listed among the translators to find acceptance by this group or that; of modern versions. Many will contend another is that most of the devices used that this makes no difference in the in modern translations tend toward actual translation, that these men and interpretation. One such device is women are translating words which the addition of such as can only mean one thing. But for those quotation marks. True, these help the with an agenda, there are ways in which reader see where conversations begin to display varying doctrines. Thus one and end; but where do Jesus’s statements finds modern versions that include in actually end? Some say at the worship of Mary, the idea in places the end of verse 15, some at the end of that repentance is not necessary for 17, some at the end of 21; the Greek salvation, or that salvation is through gives no indication, and neither did the Jesus plus works. This ‘oneness’ has also Authorised Version translators. 4 about the Authorised (King James) Version Another device used by modern in modern versions. If one capitalises translators is the interpretation of the the pronouns in the verse, he ends the , particularly of what ambiguity; but his interpretation might is called the , His not be the correct one. Name as given to in Exodus 3. The Authorised Version A particular problem, found in the translators were careful to point out the New Testament, is the capitalisation of times the covenant Name of God was pronouns referring to the Lord Jesus used by LORD all in capital Christ. Some modern translations letters. This distinguished the Name avoid capitalising pronouns referring from the word ‘lord’, which is used to Jesus when the speaker does not not only for the true God but also by seem to believe in the deity of the wives in reference to their husbands, Lord (.18). This they do and by slaves to their masters. Modern to aid the reader in understanding the translators, however, have attempted to motives and thoughts of the speaker; change LORD, apparently for no other but how can one know the heart and reason than change. This change has mind of a man who has been dead come out as ‘Sovereign Lord’ and other for two thousand years? Regardless, odd forms, none of which is supported however, of what the speaker thought by the Hebrew or Greek texts. The of Jesus, those thoughts did not make Authorised Version translators knew Him any less God. Any capitalisation that the Jews in their reverence for of pronouns can have the same effect, the Name of God had in time lost the because often the capitalisation is done pronunciation of the Name; rather than on the interpretation of the translator, speculate as to the correct transliteration and that interpretation may be incorrect. or translation of the Name, the It should also be noted that some Authorised Version translators simply modern translators, either because used a word that well applied to God, they were inconsistent or because they capitalised it to differentiate it from themselves do not recognise Jesus’s ‘Lord’, and left it at that. deity in Messianic passages of the Old Testament, fail to use capital letters The Authorised Version translators when they would be needed (see Psalm could also have capitalised pronouns 2.7, 45.6–7). Once they begin this kind referring to Deity, but they did not. The of interpretation, they must be 100% main reason for their not doing so is correct in their assessment or avoid the that these pronouns are not capitalised use of capitalisation altogether. in the Greek and Hebrew texts. They also realised that doing so would be In this vein, too, is the Authorised another form of interpretation. In Psalm Version’s consistent use (as mentioned 37.23, for example, will the Lord delight above) of ‘thee’ and ‘thou’, as opposed to in the man’s way, or the man in the the modern tendency to use the singular Lord’s? It has been rendered both ways form of the pronoun only in prayer. 5 What Today’s Christian needs to know As with the capitalisation of pronouns, Britons with tertiary education, or the too often it is the deity of the Lord deaf, or children. Many of the world’s Jesus that is affected, and that usually Bible societies and Bible publishers detrimentally. Jesus is God; it must be follow the idea of translating for certain considered, then, how He should be social or demographic groups of people addressed, whether during His days with only portions and pieces of the upon the earth, or after His resurrection, Word of God. Thus, selections aimed or in His pre-incarnation ministry as at target groups are the new norm revealed in the Old Testament. The for modern translators. ‘According problem arises, however, as to whom to Eugene Nida, the American Bible some pronouns refer. The Authorised Society’s executive secretary for Version translators were careful to show translations, a complete Bible does not relationships between pronouns and achieve an equivalent effect nearly so their antecedents—the words to which well as does a selection.’3 This is not the pronouns refer—but only when the what the translators of the Authorised Greek and Hebrew did so. Otherwise, Version had as their translation theory. the Authorised Version translators left The Authorised Version was translated the ambiguity, and left it to the reader for God; it is His Word, and that is why to study and meditate on the passage and how it was translated. Thus the to gain understanding. They also left Authorised Version is majestic in style, pronouns such as ‘who’, ‘he’, ‘she’, and literal in translation, literary in form. ‘they’, in the text rather than substituting the name of the persons to whom the The translators were careful…to pronouns refer. Many translations write Biblical English ultimately substitute a name for an unclear belonging to no period. This pronoun; this, however, is not only a they partly achieved by a superb form of interpretation (and sometimes cadence, the artful placing of misinterpretation), but is also words, especially monosyllables, unfaithfulness to the Greek and Hebrew in patterns that enter the ear texts which have the pronoun rather easily, and linger permanently than a noun. Thus, the Authorised in the mind and heart. No other Version translators remained with the translation memorises so well.4 words given by God to His people. All these things the Authorised One Bible for all of God’s People Version translators did, and these things continue to be used in copies of The Authorised Version translators the Authorised Version printed today. were careful to translate what was before Thus the salesman has, and can provide them. Additionally, they did not seek to for others, the same faithful, literal translate for a particular group, as those translation of the Word of God that has in modern times who aim at Americans made such a great impact upon the world with a primary school education, or during the past four hundred years. 6 about the Authorised (King James) Version The salesman, however, also God Himself. These men lived at a found spiritual reasons for using the time when theology was not so flexible Authorised Version. One of these is and so influenced by philosophies the role of the church in translation. which demand that nothing is true and The Authorised Version translators everything must be judged by standards were scholars in their respective fields. established by the world. God in His But more than that, they were men of providence moved the events of the early God, committed to the doctrines of the 17th century to ensure that the accepted Scriptures and to the correct translation English translation of His Word would of those Scriptures. Too often translation be free of the unsound philosophies that today is not done by men respected by would plague theology in the next four the church who are doctrinally sound, hundred years. but by men who rest more upon their academic standing. These men do not These men also understood something work under the watchful eye of the that seems oftentimes to be lacking in the church; instead their translation is theories and philosophies of modern-day done under the auspices of translators, and even in the thoughts of companies. Today there modern man. As with , the Authorised Version translators realised is an artificially produced that they could do nothing without the conviction resulting from grace of God. They needed His grace to marketing techniques and understand what they were translating, imposed on the churches from because they were not simply translating without. This wholly modern words: they were translating God’s holy consensus maintains the Bible Word. Thus the spiritual and intellectual publishing industry must now qualifications of men of God are greatly determine the texts of Scripture. needed to reproduce God’s Word in the The Church, as Professor van . There can be no Bruggen has demonstrated (The separation between spirituality and Future of the Bible, 1978), has scholarship; the two must go hand-in- abdicated her role as guardian hand. The translator can lack neither. of the Bible and has turned such The translators of the Authorised responsibility over to hirelings Version had both. who market various, conflicting translations to the confusion and disarray of the Church.5 The Timeless Excellence of the Authorised Version The Authorised Version was translated by the best scholars of the During the one hundred and fifty day, but men whose lives also reflected years that followed its publication, the a firm conviction that every word they Authorised Version saw four revisions were translating was true, inspired by to correct its slight inaccuracies (a 7 What Today’s Christian needs to know great benefit over modern versions, With the decline in use of the most of which have not even been in Authorised Version also comes change publication for fifty years). Since then it in the entire structure of worship used has withstood the onslaught of its most by the church for centuries. Hymns of demanding critics, both non-Christian praise and worship as well as the , and Christian. The Authorised Version which draw from the majestic language has stood the test of time, and today of the Authorised Version, are falling is still the international standard for into disuse in favour of choruses and English translations. It has been used by ‘Scripture’ songs which take a verse, often many missionaries over the past several torn from its Scriptural context, and centuries and in most cases was the repeat it over and over mindlessly: this translation through which they were rather than the concentration required by saved and through which they were the Psalms and the great hymns written called to the mission field. Thus it has by godly men of past eras. As with the impacted the lives of not only English- use of modern versions, it is argued that speaking peoples, but of millions modern songs are easier to understand; throughout the world and throughout but it must be noted that with such ease the centuries. of understanding also has come a lack of meditation and thoughtfulness to which What is more, the Authorised Version God in His Word has called His people has served to protect the English (Joshua 1.8). language from the whims of time and man. While many languages have Falling into disuse also are the changed so drastically that literature great which reflect the true from a mere hundred years ago is no Christianity of the Reformation. To longer within the comprehension of those familiar with the Authorised modern men, the widespread use of the Version, the phrasing of the creeds Authorised Version has kept the works of the Apostles and Nicea, the great of great authors such as Shakespeare Westminster and London and other and Bunyan within reach of men, confessions—indeed, all the works of women and children throughout the our forefathers in the faith—are splendid English-speaking world. Without a aids in understanding the Scriptures. literary standard, the miles of ocean that But to those who have abandoned the separate America from Britain would no Authorised Version, these as well as doubt have given rise to such language the thousands of Bible dictionaries, changes that the two nations would concordances, encyclopaedias, be more separated than they are now. commentaries, word studies and The use of the Authorised Version on lexicons are often closed , as are both continents, and indeed wherever the works of the , of Luther and English is spoken or read, has played a Calvin, of the Hodges and Spurgeon and major part in solidifying the language all of the other great men of God, whose throughout the world. lives displayed a holiness and piety 8 about the Authorised (King James) Version which the lives of modern —and to millions through the mass media modern Christians—so often lack. through translations in easy-to- understand English, there is little The Authorised Version and conversion of the lost and the revival of the Modern World spirituality so desperately needed by the church on both sides of the Atlantic and Indeed, in a day in which Bible around the world. As the Authorised publishers proclaim that we now have Version has fallen out of favour, so God’s Word in an English form that seemingly has the whole concept of anyone can read and understand, it God-sent revival. is amazing how little impact these seem to have on the lives of their One reason for this may be the readers. Few are the men and women seeming lack of authority of the modern whose chief joy is to meditate upon versions. One excellent feature of the God’s Word. Often the pulpits of the Authorised Version has been its ‘ring United Kingdom and the United States of authority’. Perhaps it is just from seem bereft of men who know and habit, or perhaps something more, but love God’s Word; the men—and even to dignify a statement with ‘Thus saith women, it should be noted—who now the Lord’ carries much more weight presume to preach, find their subjects than the mere ‘God says’. The former and inspiration in the newspapers and seems to carry with it the strength of the world around them rather than the prophetic utterances of those whom in the Scriptures. Many believe that, God used to bring forth His Word; the because the church in the English- latter could just as easily have come from speaking world has abandoned the the daily newspaper. The Authorised principles of translation which reflect Version, with its majestic English style reverence for God and His Word in and its reverence for the original Author, favour of translations which, by the communicates not only words and world’s standards, ‘communicate’, this thoughts, but power and boldness, so has given rise to extremes in topical needed by the church of our day. preaching and the relevancy preaching that addresses ‘felt needs’ rather than There is a paradox surrounding God’s standards. Today preaching the Authorised Version. While in one revolves around the emotional needs— moment proponents of modern versions true or perceived—of the congregation attack the Authorised Version in any area rather than true, God-centred they can find that does not meet their exposition of the Word of God. standards—its language is archaic, its style antiquated—in the next moment Gone, too, are the great periods of they compare their versions to it, using revival during which God touched the Authorised Version as the shining the lives of millions. Today, despite standard by which all other versions are of salvation going out to be judged. In those passages from 9 What Today’s Christian needs to know the Authorised Version most familiar God’s servant, so many today see the to the world, modern translators tend attacks on the Authorised Version as to conform to the Authorised Version’s coming from the enemy. This is not to form and flow. While denigrating the say that the Authorised Version is to be Authorised Version’s Greek text, they esteemed above the Greek and Hebrew seek to conform their versions to it by texts, as some would say who believe the adding verses found in the Received Greek and Hebrew can be corrected to Text but not in the modern critical what is found in the English. It is to say, texts. Thus, while pointing out what however, that God has richly blessed they find as the Authorised Version’s this translation of the inspired texts for shortcomings, by their comparisons four hundred years, and that the attacks to it they display the high regard and against it—coupled with the modem reverence they realise the English- degeneration, not just of the church as a speaking peoples of the world hold whole, but of individual Christians—are toward the Authorised Version. not mere arguments from scholarly men but attacks, as those against Job by his Even the enemies of the Authorised three friends, from the enemy himself. Version admit that the Authorised In light of the state of this modem Version translators had a gift for world, it is not an option that should discerning how language is to be used be overlooked. If true, not only must to express truth, much the same as a the battle to preserve the Authorised melody can express the same truth Version take a more fervent course, as words—a happy tune with grave but the proponents of the Authorised lyrics can be painful to the ear and Version can rejoice in the importance mind; a love song with a pleasingly even the enemy of the Faith has placed happy melody enraptures the hearers in this beautiful old translation. to identify with the song and express fondness for their beloved ones more God’s Word Unchanging readily. The Authorised Version translators not only could translate Thus the Authorised Version stands words correctly, but could phrase today as a beacon of light in a world those words in such a way that truth growing darker by the day. As a faithful is communicated majestically and is translation of the true texts of God’s remembered. Word, it continues strong, proclaiming God’s message to a lost and dying world. In the fully spiritual realm, many It stands ever true, unchanged by the today are recognising an aspect of whims of man. Now the salesman urges the Authorised Version’s superiority his customers toward the Authorised over other translations that is often Version, and for all of the above reasons. dismissed as ‘primitive’ by modern man. He now has a faithful and reliable Bible Just as Job’s plight is known to be attacks to offer them; and he does not have to by the enemy of the Faith to discredit change his argument with each new 10 about the Authorised (King James) Version translation that is produced by the upon its Author’s statement, ‘Blessed are whims of men. Now, when a man longs they which do hunger and thirst after for the Word of God, the salesman can righteousness: for they shall be filled’ hand him a trustworthy Bible and stand (Matthew 5.6). s Endnotes 1. The Bible: (n.c., England: 3. Ibid., p. 31. William Collins Sons & Co., Ltd., 1952), p. iii. 4. Steve Eng, preface to The Majority Text: Essays 2. Jakob van Bruggen, The Future of the Bible and Reviews in the Continuing Debate, Theodore (Nashville, TN, USA: Thomas Nelson Inc., P. Letis, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI, USA: Institute for Publishers, 1978), p. 21, quoting F. F. Bruce, The Biblical Textual Studies, 1987), p. v. English Bible, p. 127. 5. Ibid., forward by David Otis Fuller, p. ii.

11 The Aims of the Society

To publish and distribute the Holy Scriptures throughout the world in many languages.

To promote which are accurate and trustworthy, conforming to the Hebrew Masoretic Text of the Old Testament, and the Greek of the New Testament, upon which texts the English Authorised Version is based.

To be instrumental in bringing light and life, through the of Christ, to those who are lost in sin and in the darkness of false religion and unbelief.

To uphold the doctrines of reformed Christianity, bearing to the equal and eternal deity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, One God in three Persons.

To uphold the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God.

For the Glory of God and the Increase of His Kingdom through the circulation of Protestant or uncorrupted versions of the Word of God.

Trinitarian Product Code: A75 William Tyndale House ISBN 978 1 86228 004 5 29 Deer Park Road London SW19 3NN, England email: [email protected] 9 781862 280045 www.tbsbibles.org